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Rudolph Valentino Signed - Framed picture Stamped or authentic?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Allen on July 1, 2023 at 11:24am

Compare to the one just sold by Juliens as part of the Lefty Gomez auction, lot 6. Same image, same signature, different placement. Stamp strongly suspected.

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Permalink Reply by LuckyLuke on July 1, 2023 at 11:27am

Thank you so very much for your valued input and time Nick, it is very much appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on July 1, 2023 at 11:42am

No problem, it sometimes is hard to be sure because the pens used in the 10’s and 20’s often resembles stamps. I have seen this particular piece before in person and it was stamped. Most authentic Valentino’s are on checks and contracts, very rarely on images.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on July 1, 2023 at 11:26am

I believe this to be a stamp.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on July 1, 2023 at 12:25pm

Nick is right. There is no question this is a stamped photograph. These show up on eBay often. They do make for a nice, and affordable alternative to a real autograph (as long as one is aware of what they are).

Allen, your reference to the Juliens auction lot from earlier this year got me curious. I found it:

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/459/lot/200802/

Juliens specifically states in the description that:

"Valentino inscribed the following message to June (O' Dea Gomez): 'Sincerely Rudolph Valentino'.

The stamped fan photo in this lot offered by Julien's sold for $780. At that price, if I was the high bidder and found out the truth about it, I'd be pretty sore at Julien's for offering a stamped photo and blatantly representing it as being signed by hand by Valentino.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on July 1, 2023 at 12:39pm

Oh, wow! I just looked at the Julian’s one and they should be ashamed of themselves. I can’t believe they let a $800 sale go thru on the most routine of stamped Valentino photos. They must have inexperienced people working there nowadays. Thanks for pointing that out Allen!

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Permalink Reply by LuckyLuke on July 1, 2023 at 12:41pm

Also noticed the sale from Julien's and was wondering the same?

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on July 1, 2023 at 12:47pm

That Julien's lot description of the Valentino should have read:

"WITHDRAWN"

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Permalink Reply by Allen on July 1, 2023 at 1:10pm

I noticed the pre auction estimate was listed as $75-100. A legit Valentino auto would sell for much more. I wonder if someone in Juliens knew it was stamped and estimated it accordingly? Certainly no excuse for the description.