What is the prize item in your collection?

ChaneyFan · Post by **ChaneyFan** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:55 am

Could be a 16mm print, a book, a piece of memorabilia?

Mine would have to be the 1932 bio of Lillian Gish by Albert Bigelow Paine that someone here graciously gave to me. Didn't think I would ever find it.

Wm. Charles Morrow · Post by **Wm. Charles Morrow** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:38 pm

My copy of Daniel Blum's Pictorial History of the Silent Screen. There's a full page portrait of Gloria Swanson, which she graciously signed for me when I met her in 1976.

Jim Roots · Post by **Jim Roots** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:43 pm

Wm. Charles Morrow wrote:My copy of Daniel Blum's Pictorial History of the Silent Screen. There's a full page portrait of Gloria Swanson, which she graciously signed for me when I met her in 1976.

You met her? You lucky dog, you! What was she like, besides short and gorgeous?

Jim

Wm. Charles Morrow · Post by **Wm. Charles Morrow** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:55 pm

Jim Roots wrote:
Wm. Charles Morrow wrote:My copy of Daniel Blum's Pictorial History of the Silent Screen. There's a full page portrait of Gloria Swanson, which she graciously signed for me when I met her in 1976.
You met her? You lucky dog, you! What was she like, besides short and gorgeous?

Jim

I should probably save this for another thread, but, briefly: she was lecturing about health food (in the company of her husband, William Dufty, author of Sugar Blues) and didn't want to talk about movies. She was a little irritable, frankly. But when I presented my copy of the book, open to her picture, she was nice enough to sign it. And I still have it!

rollot24 · Post by **rollot24** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:19 pm

I don't have much but the ones I prize the most are probably the autographed copy of L Gish's "The Movies, Mr. Griffith..." She was the only silent star I ever met. And I have an original, tinted headshot of Buster Keaton from early in his screen career. I haven't been able to date it yet.

silentstar5 · Post by **silentstar5** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:21 pm

I would have to say that my film history book collection is the star of my film history collection. Couldn't pick just one book but some of the highlights include a signed copy of Hollywood: The First 100 Years by Bruce Torrence, Out With The Stars by Jim Heimann and The Story Of Hollywood by Gregory Paul Williams. It is always a good feeling looking at the books.

missdupont · Post by **missdupont** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:23 pm

The book that's my most collectible is "I Lost My Girlish Laughter" written by Sylvia Schulman, David O. Selznick's secretary in the late 1930s, under the pen name Jane Allen. It has its original cover and Beverly Hills book shop stamp.

My most interesting memorabilia is a letter opener with Selznick Pictures on one side, and the other has little likenesses of Clara Kimball Young, Norma Talmadge, and a third actress, who escapes me at the moment.

Einar the Lonely · Post by **Einar the Lonely** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:27 pm

I have an original late 1910's postcard with René Creste in his JUDEX cape. And another one with Bartolomeo Pagano as MACISTE, but I can't figure out when it was exactly printed.

Post by **Danny Burk** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:14 pm

A personal thank you note from Lillian Gish, handwritten on her charming stationery - followed up by several signed photos. I asked whether I might send one, and she returned it along with several that she added herself!

bobfells · Post by **bobfells** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:37 pm

I have a bronze bust of Geo Arliss as the Rajah in GREEN GODDESS that was sculpted and signed by Ivan Simpson. Arliss actually mentions the bust in his first volume of memoirs.I have posted a photo on the AA blog.

I also have several handwritten letter by GA from 1908 to 1944. In 1970 I wrote a letter to Joan Bennett asking what Arliss was like to work with. She answered me!

In my 16mm collection, the crown jewel is BEN-HUR with the 1931 music track.

CoffeeDan · Post by **CoffeeDan** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:41 pm

The very first item I bought on eBay was an autographed, leather-bound edition of Eddie Cantor's autobiography My Life Is In Your Hands, which I later found out was inscribed to a member of George Olsen's orchestra.

I also have an autographed picture of Marion Davies, dated August 14, 1923; an autographed and inscribed picture of Richard Dix, probably from the mid-1920s; and a signed letter from Irene Rich on NBC stationery from 1935.

But my prize possession is a production still from THE WIZARD OF OZ showing the Wicked Witch of the West melting into the flagstones, inscribed:

Oh what a world! - not even a towel.
Now I'll never be "good to the last drop"
Love to your diva[?], Margaret Hamilton

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:54 pm

My jewels are a copy of Marion Davies' Getting Mary Married (1919) and a hard-cover copy of Rudolph Valentino's Day Dreams.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:17 pm

This question is very upsetting to Zen Master. She is trying to come up with some treasured thingie, only to remember that she tossed it out, gave it away, or sold it. Does research stuff count? Or does it have to be memorabilia or collectible?

Post by **Mike Gebert** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:42 pm

My rarities are mostly of the $2.98 in a used bookstore variety, but I did make one decent find once that way.

The National Board of Review had lost any records of their first year of awards. They knew 1930 on, but not 1929, and they hadn't been printed anywhere that anyone knew of.

Till I opened this dusty old thing called The Production Encyclopedia for 1952, and...

FrankFay · Post by **FrankFay** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:27 pm

I have an original pencil portrait of Frank Fay with an inscription.

Post by **silentfilm** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:58 pm

Theda Bara on the cover of the June 17, 1916 issue of The National Police Gazette magazine.

Directly across the hall from that is an insert for Randolph Scott's The Tall T that I had Budd Boetticher sign for me. I think that the "Waco Theater" (from Waco, Texas) adds a nice touch to it.

dr.giraud · Post by **dr.giraud** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:04 pm

A window card from the lost THREE SINNERS, with a nifty illustration of Pola Negri, Warner Baxter and Tulio Carminati in profile, looking guilty.

A promotional still from THE AFFAIRS OF ANATOL with the female stars of the film grouped around DeMille, hanging on his every word. And yes, Bebe Daniels gets to upstage Agnes Ayers, Gloria Swanson, and Wanda Hawley in that crazy Satan Synne dress.

Brooksie · Post by **Brooksie** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:52 pm

My great-uncle also received a letter from Lillian Gish in the 1970s. When he died a few years ago, I was hoping it would be amongst his papers. Alas, it seems to have gone. From what he described, it sounded charming. He mentioned to her that he had relatives in her area - she invited him to drop by and visit if he was in the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to take her up on it!

Aside from the few pieces of memorabilia I have on Australian silent films (none have made it onto my website as yet), I'd rate the program I have from the dedication of Grauman's Chinese Theatre http://brooksiescollection.tumblr.com/day/2010/04/07, plus a program from the very first season of talkies shown in Australia - http://brooksiescollection.tumblr.com/p ... eatre-1929 as highlights.

The latter came from the same great-uncle. His parents (my great-grandparents) were almost as mad about silent films as I am.

George O'Brien · Post by **George O'Brien** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:56 pm

I corresponded with Lillian Gish, and she once sent me a photo I still have enscribed, "With Every Fond Wish, Lillian Gish".

A snarky movie buff friend whom I showed it to, soon afterward sent me a magazine photo on which he wrote, "Never Throw in the Towel, Jane Powell".

In the last year of her life I met Gloria Swanson and her daughter walking on a trail in Central Park. We all sat down on a nearby bench and had an enjoyable talk. I sat next to her and can still see that extraordinary face in profile.
In my teen aged ignorance, I said to her, "What are you doing in New York?' She replied, without a tinge of Norma Desmond, but rather like a charming aunt, "Why, I've lived in New York since '38!"

Michael O'Regan · Post by **Michael O'Regan** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:31 am

I guess, at the present time, the Photoplay WINGS on VHS.

westegg · Post by **westegg** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:00 am

Though not autographed by a silent star, I treasure my copy of Blum's silent film book, since it represents the start of my film history mania when I got my dad to buy if for me in 1965. Anyway, my dad autographed it!

On a somewhat related note, in great frustration I'm trying to find a missing small bottle of plastic snow flakes I gathered from the set of ICE STATION ZEBRA during a tour of MGM in 1967. The set had a partially surfaced submarine. I last saw this bottle two years ago and I probably put it in a "safe place" that defies rediscovery.

Bruce Long · Post by **Bruce Long** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:05 am

Solid run of Photoplay Magazine from November 1914 through April 1929.

barafan · Post by **barafan** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:21 am

Bruce, I have that same Police Gazette, too, nicely framed and looking out at me from the side of my flat screen.

I treasure my collection of various Motion Picture Magazines from 1911 - 1919 I bought from a collector who sadly had to part with them, but I promised I'd give them a good home.

The prize of my collection are two autographed photos of Theda Bara from Cleopatra, one personally inscribed in French and the other merely dated 1917. I'll try to post a picture if I can.

I do envy those of you who met Gloria Swanson, though. What I wouldn't give to have seen her in the flesh!

Big Silent Fan · Post by **Big Silent Fan** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:18 am

Treasures...I could never single out just one.

I have only a few books, most notably "The Parade's Gone By..." and Frederick Wiebel's book "Edison's Frankenstein," which came along with the DVD. It's both informative and filled with photos.
Most recently I've gotten "Impressions from "The American Film Institute Archives" (clearly out of date since it's a 1973 edition), and Kevin Brownlow's "Napoleon," which tells both the history of making the film, as well as the arduous efforts to bring the film back to the screen.
I was given a large (12' X 18"), 174 page spiral bound collection of Film Posters, titled, "50 Years of Movie Posters" from Hollywood's Golden era! It covers 1911 through 1961. About a third of the book concerns silent film.

Mostly, my treasures are the accumulation of unavailable films (some that at one time had never been released to Video of any sort). A few of them (like John Wayne's "The High and the Mighty" and the 'Grandure' "The Big Trail"), are now readily available, but they weren't more than ten years ago when I was watching them.

Another sound film I've had for years which was never commercially released, is "The Savage Innocents" with Anthony Quinn. That's what inspired the lyric, "When Quinn the Eskimo comes to town..." It's a beautiful 70mm print (I had only seen it once before in B&W on television). Note: I've seen it recently for sale on the internet.

I also have the televised copy of Kevin Brownlow's entire "Hollywood" series from when TCM broadcasted this so many years ago. Of course I've converted it to DVD-R, complete with an index. Wouldn't it be nice if they could broadcast this again?

I don't have a complete copy of Chaney in "The Miracle Man," only the few clips (it's a lost film), but I have read the book, and I do have the 1932 remake with John Wray recreating Chaney's part convincingly.

The cast included Sylvia Sidney, Chester Morris, with Boris Karloff in a small part as a Chinese half-caste. IMO, the remake made some script improvements (on the original story), making the film better. I seriously doubt that I would prefer the 1919 Silent over this early sound version.

Then I've got two different versions of the very first film directed by Hitchcock, "The Pleasure Garden" (1925), thanks to friends in Europe where it's sometimes seen on 'Arte' television. One has the original cleverly done titles...very important to this story, and the other is the (so called), restoration, with additional scenes.

There are several problems with the newer copy even if the image quality is slightly improved. First, all of those cleverly designed titles have been replaced by plain white letters on black background. In the original, the background of each title was chosen to reflect the mood at that part of the story.
It was also recorded too fast (actually six minutes shorter than the earlier copy with two missing scenes), and has a less enjoyable score (organ instead of orchestra).

In addition, in my collection there's the 'art' film,"Solomé" (1923), and my most favorite version of "The Four Feathers," the Cooper-Schoedsack 1929 silent, complete with the original recorded score (containing sound effects). Like everything those two pioneers did, the film is an epic story filled with incredible scenes (with actual animal sounds included in the score). So much more dramatic or exciting than any of the many others I've seen. I've got many more treasures like these, and I enjoy watching them all, again and again. I have these (and many more unavailable films), thanks to the generosity of friends that I have met around the world.

Over the years, Silent film groups have been a wonderful source to find mentors, as well as friends.

Robert Moulton · Post by **Robert Moulton** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:28 am

ChaneyFan wrote:Could be a 16mm print, a book, a piece of memorabilia?

Mine would have to be the 1932 bio of Lillian Gish by Albert Bigelow Paine that someone here graciously gave to me. Didn't think I would ever find it.

I have some cast member portraits done by the still photographer on The Cocoanuts and I also have a signed copy of The Groucho Letters that I founded for $3 in a second hand bookstore.

By the way, it's pretty easy now to find a copy of any used book you want. Just go to www.abebooks.com - for example I can find a copy of the Gish bio mentioned above for $25 US. This site is a two edged sword, I used to be able to limit my book spending by the fact that it took me so long to find a book by prowling stores in person. Now I can find anything I want online and my only limit is my bank account and the realization that I'll never be able to get to reading the book since so many are in the queue already.

Micromegas · Post by **Micromegas** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:05 am

Kind of a tie between
- First Men in the Moon (1919) not quite a photoplay novel but there is a detailed story of the film ('bout 20 odd pages?) and some scenes from this lost film.
- a copy of the play that spawned Maurice Elvey's High Treason (only 25 printed and the only one that I've ever heard turning up)

Steve

Post by **Mike Gebert** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:33 am

One thing I just missed buying on Alibris or somewhere once-- a first edition of Humphrey Cobb's Paths of Glory, with a bookplate from the MGM studio library.

I'm sure all that means is they got copies of practically everything published, but it's kind of staggering to imagine a late-30s MGM version of that novel, knowing Kubrick's film of it.

Jim Roots · Post by **Jim Roots** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:59 am

It's almost depressing to read these postings. You people have real treasures!

I guess I would have to go with a few books, too. I found a hardcover copy of Walter Kerr's Silent Clowns in a Montreal used bookstore two blocks from my mother-in-law's house for $25 many years ago; being a hardcover, it must have been either a first or second edition, I can't remember which.

I've got Lillian Ross' slim hardcover bio of Chaplin. A first (and only???) edition hardcover of Grand Illusions, the collection of Hollywood glamour photography at its best. I've got both of the two absolutely beautiful books about the restoration of Toronto's Pantages theatre.

And I really cherish the first edition paperback of Anobile's Marx Brothers Scrapbook, emblazoned with the boast that Groucho sued Anobile for a million bucks in an effort to stop publication. That's one of the funniest goddamn books I've ever read.

Jim

westegg · Post by **westegg** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:38 pm

Among books I've collected, I bought one with an unexpected bonus, since on the inside cover it's stamped "from the collection of Roddy McDowall." I can't recall the specific title of the book right now (I have so many), but it was related to show biz in some way.

Flyin' A · Post by **Flyin' A** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:33 pm

I have a 14X11 original Ruth Harriet Louise portrait of Estelle Clark. (Everyone thinks it's Clara Bow. But that's because it's a beautiful photo that screams 20s and the only name people can come up with is "Clara Bow".)

I also love "Film Flashes"--a nice cardboard-bound periodical from the teens. I like it because it's something fans would have bought at the 5 & 10. It's a really interesting mix of hugelly famous 90+ years later and who?.

And who doesn't love the spoons?

What is the prize item in your collection?

What is the prize item in your collection?

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Re: What is the prize item in your collection?