March 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2019
Rudolph Valentino autograph letter signed ''Rodolfo'' in 1910 at only 15-years old but clearly already a prolific ladies' man, based on revealing content. Valentino writes to his childhood friend Bruno Pozzan from his home in Taranto, Italy on 28 August 1910, showing interest in a journalism career as well as a fleet of ships docked nearby. Lengthy four-page letter in Italian translates in part, ''My dear Bruno, I couldn't write to you this morning, because I was on board the Royal Navy's 'Benedetto Brin' to see Ensign Della Rocca (the son of our Professor of Accounting), whom I met at Taranto a couple of months ago at the 'Marconi' variety concert, and so I stayed to have lunch with him. / You know, the fleet coming from Antivari is at Taranto, then tomorrow, Wednesday the 30th, it leaves for Venice, and around the 11th, all three fleets will be in Taranto for the arrival of the King. / Ensign Della Rocca gave me three packs of foreign cigarettes, which were given to him by King Nicola of Montenegro. / Fortunately, the cases of cholera...have been isolated, and here there have been none. And so, nothing to worry about. / I'm writing this to you at 5:15 (P.M.), and I've just gotten back from the ship. / You should see how polite those navy officers are! They also introduced me to the second in command of the 'Brin', who is a very friendly person. / As for my life here, I don't do anything except send money and get bored, and that's why I asked you for the addresses of newspapers, because I want to take up journalism. Couldn't you ask your relatives in Padua for the addresses of some other papers? But not local ones. You'd be doing me a real favor. / A little while ago, there was a singer, 17 years old, here in Taranto, and I had a great time with her. So now I'm going out with these singers, and at the same time, I make love to nice girls, leaving one and then taking up with another. / Give my compliments to Manlio for the race he won, and I hope that in the next one he'll get first prize, not just the sixth...If you go to Venice in the next few days, you'll see the fleet. If you want a letter of introduction to Lieut. Della Rocca, let me know, and I'll send it to you. / The Admiral of the fleet is now on the 'Benedetto Brin', because a boiler exploded on the 'Regina Margherita', a few knots from Taranto, and seven sailors were killed. And so the Admiral who was there before, will switch over to the 'Benedetto Brin' tonight or tomorrow. / So long, and a big kiss from your / Rodolfo / P.S. Write to me soon and send me the addresses''. Four page letter on card-style bifolium stationery measures 8.5'' x 7'' unfolded. Near fine condition. Accompanied by original mailing envelope.
Rudolph Valentino Autograph Letter Signed ''Rodolfo'' at 15 -- ''...I'm going out with these singers, and at the same time, I make love to nice girls, leaving one and then taking up with another...''
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