We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

Vintage collectors! Which Vivien Leigh do YOU prefer and why? A question regarding quality. Thank you.

Hi All,

A question regarding quality. There are two Vivien Leigh's below. Both are signed in fountain.

The first is C. 1940 - an 8x10 likely single weight glossy and is about $950 with scum/scuffs/marks and an abraded "Leigh" signature etc.

The second one, albeit it C. 1960 and not C. 1940, is a double weight matte finished photocard portrait by Angus McBean of and signed boldly with very good contrast by Leigh and in Excellent condition. $775-$800

Which do you like and why?

Views: 500

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 17, 2021 at 1:05pm

It brings up my old question, Yes it is authentic, yes it's old, but is it of quality?

Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 17, 2021 at 2:14pm

Eric - Authenticity and age are great and, as you say, quality is also important.  A caveat would be if a piece is of extreme rarity and not really anything else has been available over the years. Then rarity may possibly trump condition. In the case of Vivien Leigh, she's readily available on the market at any given time so a collector has the luxury of being choosey.  

Specifically regarding these two Leighs:

De gustibus non est disputandum.  Our budding collector friend has studied and made his choice...so let's kindly support him in that.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 17, 2021 at 2:26pm

Oh I do, I was/am looking to learn. :)

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 17, 2021 at 2:51pm

I agree. I'm not so sure contrast is a matter of taste.

Permalink Reply by Mark Saunders on December 17, 2021 at 7:45pm

Gotta go with the one on the bottom

Permalink Reply by David Lewis on December 19, 2021 at 4:40pm

Eric, Early on when I did not have a lot of money, I just wanted real ink. Now that I have money to spend….I would not drop a dime on either one.The first image has a lot of character and is alive, but has condition issues and the second image is just flat out dull. If I had to have one or the other hanging on my wall and look at it every day it would be the first one.

Permalink Reply by crazyrabbits23 on December 20, 2021 at 4:16pm

Every collector must face the same choice - availability or quality. Personally, I wouldn't have given a second look at either of the OP's choices, even without looking at the pricetags.

Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 19, 2021 at 4:55pm

This thread seems an attempt to create second thoughts for a beginning collector's choice involving a purchase they made after careful consideration.  I was approached by the collector to give my thoughts on these two photos and they made an independent choice.  Please don't feed this.

Permalink Reply by David Lewis on December 19, 2021 at 5:07pm

Etienne, Eric knows what he likes without my opinion…..but he did ask.

Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 19, 2021 at 5:10pm

Understood, David.  You couldn't know.  Your choice actually may help ease the mind of the new fellow exploring the hobby.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 19, 2021 at 5:28pm

I was aslo asked by Dan regarding quality in several PM's days ago. As far as I am aware this thread has no agenda.

Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 19, 2021 at 5:40pm

Sure....that must be correct.  Just a coincidence the thread started after finding out about the collector's choice.  And a photo of that choice coming out of the blue here and now weighed against another Leigh photo that had been strongly endorsed in a separate thread.  Again, sorry if I've made a mistake.

RSS

© 2024   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service