|
21st May 2007, 06:48 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 485
|
Unfortunately not. Only the original 1920s auction catalogue which lists each item, but with only a small handful of images (not much more than I have already shown).
Shame as his collection (European as well as Oriental) was fairly extensive. This catalogue also lists his properties (inc the Falcons Lair), his horses, hunting dogs, art, film costmes etc. |
21st May 2007, 08:56 PM | #2 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,785
|
Hi B.I.
Thats fantastic! and not at all surprising with his presence in portraying exotic characters. Southern California in those early years with the beginnings of the movie industry actually stockpiled tons of props, costumes and weaponry, much of it actually authentic. I recall in the late 60's that some weapons collectors hit the jackpot when some of the movie studios unloaded some of the heaps of these weapons held in boxes in prop departments. I'm sure that Valentino got his pick of many of these. Best regards, Jim |
21st May 2007, 09:26 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
|
Valentino was a star of "exotic" movies, and often appeared as "sheikh" or suchlike. Probably he either got genuinely fascinated by the "oriental" exotica or just cultivated an "oriental" persona: kind of public relations shtick Is Johnny Depp collecting Caribbean pirate stuff?
Interesting where all these pieces went.... |
21st May 2007, 09:36 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,743
|
Ooooh !!! pierce my heart ducky.
|
22nd May 2007, 03:45 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: B.C. Canada
Posts: 473
|
Oooh... a stab in my side.
I bought this dussage in the late 90's, it was said to be an ex-Valentino. Turns out the blade is old (maybe) but the hilt was E.B Erickson's work that someone artificially aged. Oh well Eljay's work sells for about the same that i paid. . All the best. Jeff |
22nd May 2007, 12:12 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 485
|
The sale was in 1926, in Hollywood. The collection was seen by the curator of the Met (most likely Bashford Dean) and someone called 'Charles of London', who both remarked of the rarity and importance of some of the pieces. From the listings, it seems he was more a collector, than a passing orientalist during a time when being so was fashionable.
I have a few more images of the European arms, which I will scan and post. |
22nd May 2007, 05:51 PM | #7 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,785
|
Hi B.I.
You're right, he probably was more involved than being simply an Orientalist, and most likely acquired under via well informed assistance. Many actors seriously assimilate into the roles they play, and authentic weapons would have been an ideal vehicle to generate such feeling. I know that personally my entry into collecting antique weapons was borne out of love of history, probably as most of us here, and holding an authentic weapon from a period or even possibly from a certain battle, sent my imagination into overdrive!! Jeff, When I knew Eljay in California back in the 70's I was always amazed as his astounding ability in repairing the weapons he would acquire. That grew into his ability to fashion entire hilts, which as noted, are remarkably authentic. He told me once that he always marked or stamped his work so that it would not end up being misrepresented, however, as seen here, some subsequent owners of the work seem to have overridden that effort. As you have noted, to have one of his pieces is a pleasure in its own right. All the best, Jim |
|
|