Description: VALENTINO RUDOLPH: (1895-1926) Italian actor, a sex symbol of the 1920s and icon of the silent cinema. Unique piece of cinema history! Document signed in vintage steel-tip fountain pen ink, R. Valentino, in the form of an endorsement to the verso of this check, n.p. (Los Angeles, California), n.d. (December 1921). The partially printed check is drawn on the pay roll account of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation at The Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles and is made payable to Valentino for the sum of $950. Signed at the base by two auditors of the account. A perforated bank cancellation only very slightly affects Valentino's strong signature. Signs of handling, creasing and one small tear to the upper edge, VG- condition. This paycheck to Valentino is from his film company employers during the beginning of the nation's "Valentino fever" while THE SHEIK (his first film for Lasky) was in first release in cinemas and the earlier Metro film THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCOYPSE was still playing to record attendance. The check was probably for Valentino's services acting rendered during the period filming of MORAN OF THE LADY LETTY and/or BEYOND THE ROCKS as Lasky rushing him into one production after another to capitalize on his meteoric rise. As checks like this made their way into Valentino's savings account, Valentino's financial relationship with Lasky would soon begin to deteriorate as he would seek a pay raise. Valentino would go so far as to initiate a strike against Lasky and his Famous Players in the not so distant future and would refuse future paychecks like this....pledging not to act in any more films for the company unless he was paid more than earlier agreed weekly salary. Famous Players would eventually sue him with the court barring him from work of any kind, with the ruling reduced to barring him from acting work only. This check is a precursor to a remarkable career and ongoing financial intrigues in Valentino's story! We have never encountered an endorsed paycheck by him from one of Valentino's film studio employers over the last decades of collecting. Any material signed by him at this point his career is desirable...the uniqueness of this piece makes it especially so! note: photo of Valentino is a visual reference for the advertising of this listing only and is not included with the original Valentino check.
Price: 2950 USD
Location: Belleville, Illinois
End Time: 2024-10-24T16:31:24.000Z
Shipping Cost: 30 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Movies
Signed: Yes
Object Type: Cards & Paper
Original/Reproduction: Original
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
