VALENTINO RUDOLPH: (1895-1926) Italian actor, a sex symbol of the 1920s. An exceptional, large vinta

VALENTINO RUDOLPH: (1895-1926) Italian actor, a sex symbol of the 1920s. An exceptional, large vinta

The Latin Lover as Monsieur Beaucaire

VALENTINO RUDOLPH: (1895-1926) Italian actor, a sex symbol of the 1920s. An exceptional, large vintage signed 13.5 x 16.5 sepia photograph, the image depicting The Latin Lover in a head and shoulders pose in costume as Monsieur Beaucaire from the American silent romantic historical drama film Monsieur Beaucaire (1924). Signed by Valentino in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, 'To the ever delightfull (sic) and charming Audrey, Rudolph Valentino'. Signed photographs of Valentino (particularly of this size and quality) are rare as a result of his untimely death at the age of 31. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Provenance: Valentino inscribed the present photograph for Audrey Evelyn James Coats (later Pleydell-Bouverie) (1902-1968) English socialite who was photographed by Cecil Beaton for The Book of Beauty. Through her mother she was the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII and herself was the illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon.