We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks.
Authenticity is Everything
Bela Lugosi as The Monster from FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN sp
I happened to see this intriguing framed photo at auction and was wondering what you guys might think of it.
It was sold prior back in 2006 by MastroNet auctions and has a sales letter accompanying it attributed to Steve Grad at PSA. I believe MastroNet did get in hot water a few years later for some authentication practices that included items that had passed through PSA.
What I can see of the photo looks like it may be a lower definition reproduction (I'll include an attachment of an production original still from which also has a wider angle of the image). Were these kind of later generation stills very common in prior to Bela's death in 1956? It may possibly be a magazine photo given the lack of definition.
The dedication and inscription is in a green fountain pen which, if real, would have been a brilliant choice given the Monster is often thought of as green skinned. Is that almost too perfect a choice back in the day?
The handwriting does look typical of Bela's (just a quibble or two...the hesitation of the connection of the "B" and "e" in 'Bela', the slight looping of the "a" at the end of 'Bela' and the "i" at the end of "Lugosi", that large loop in the bottom of his 'Lugosi ' "g" ).
Prior framing presents an obstacle to being able to examine it more thoroughly via scans.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on
-
This is why I only collect originals - look at the difference! This has a value of its own - the other copy photo...no.
-
Permalink Reply by Eddy on
-
I'm not sold on it especially since it's a low def. copy. That could be a thin magazine paper below. Bela was gone for 2 years before FA started FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Can't imagine what else the photo might be.
-
-
It is likely as it looks, an cheap copy photo not from the original negative. I's steer clear - here especially you need to hit all cylinders - contrast, condition, quaity and eye appeal etc. It is not very strong in any of those areas.
-
Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on
-
Nice piece! Not really in my wheelhouse to render an opinion but love that green ink!
-
-
Green was used not for the Monster but because it was Lugosi's favored ink color. Sig looks good from what I can see. Dedication and inscription too. Value - a guess would be $2100. There are many unknowns - like what lurks in that frame.
-
-
Interesting about the green ink. Do you happen to have any images of exemplars on hand of him signing in green?
-
-
No, not readily at hand.
Kind of like when De Kelley would sign for Nimoy - collectors thought the green ink represented Vulcan blood - but it was just Kelley's favorite color for about 30 years.
-
-
I've just never seen one signed in green. Not doubting your experience. I'll have to dig a bit as I'm kind of curious.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe W. on
-
I prefer his red ink signatures. Although green was popular back in the day.
-
-
So do forgers! Here is one sold by a well respected dealer. Seller had SK write and try to brow beat me - but I got my refund anyway. The graph was to be destroyed - I was told it was - but it is still online as an exemplar over a decade later... :( It's not even a good forgery. It has "the look"...
Click for full image.
Photos
Videos
Groups
© 2024 Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.
Powered by
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
