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An original 4.5x7" antique photo (NOT a modern reprint) from an incredible Hollywood photograph collection that we acquired from a major sale house from the estate of a Miss Gladys Sylvia.
The collection consisted of hundreds of original photos and signed fan photos that the collector painstakingly acquired directly from both celebrities and studios.
The signature on this photo, at first glance, appears to be printed / part of the photo.
Photo Overview
A wonderful close-up studio photograph of Bobby Vernon, the popular silent film comedian, wearing his trademark straw boater hat, bow tie, and bold striped jacket with his signature wide-eyed comedic expression. The photo is inscribed "Sincerely Bobby Vernon" and dated Oct 31, 1927 on the front. Bobby Vernon (born Sylvion de Jardins) was a prolific comedy star of the silent era, appearing in dozens of short comedies for Mack Sennett, Al Christie, and other producers throughout the 1910s and 1920s. He was known for his boyish charm and physical comedy, often paired with leading ladies such as Gloria Swanson early in her career.
The back of the photograph contains handwritten notes listing several of Vernon\'s films with dates: "Short Socks - Aug 16, 27," "Bugs My Dear - May 2, 26," "Hold Ea Cowboy - Aug 11, 28," and "Bright Lights - Sept 22, 24" along with notations including "Francis Lee" and "Anne Cornwall" - both actresses who appeared alongside Vernon in these comedies. This photo comes from the Gladys Sylvia Hollywood collection, a remarkable assemblage of original celebrity photographs acquired directly from stars and studios during the golden age of Hollywood.
Historical Notes
Bobby Vernon continued making comedy shorts into the early sound era but struggled with the transition to talkies, as many silent comedians did. He appeared in a handful of sound-era shorts in 1929-1930 before largely stepping away from on-screen work. Vernon successfully reinvented himself behind the camera, becoming a comedy writer and gag man at Paramount and later at Columbia Pictures, where he worked in the shorts department. He contributed to comedies featuring some of the era\'s best-known comics. Tragically, Vernon died young at age 42 in 1939 from a heart attack in Hollywood. Anne Cornwall, whose name appears on the back of this photo, had starred with Vernon in several Christie Comedies and also had a notable role in Buster Keaton\'s "The Cameraman" (1928). Francis Lee was another frequent co-star in Vernon\'s late-1920s comedy shorts. Today, Bobby Vernon\'s films are relatively scarce, with only a handful surviving in archives, making memorabilia from his career particularly collectible among silent film enthusiasts.
Print analysis
This is a Type 1 original photograph from 1927. The silver gelatin print shows age-appropriate toning and foxing on the back consistent with a nearly century-old photographic print. The paper stock, surface quality, and overall presentation are consistent with a late-1920s studio portrait print. The inscribed signature appears to be printed as part of the photographic image rather than hand-signed in ink, suggesting this was a fan photo produced by the studio or Vernon\'s publicity office. The handwritten notes on the back listing film titles and dates from 1924-1928 were clearly added by the collector (Gladys Sylvia) as a personal filmography reference, further supporting the provenance and period authenticity of this piece.
Condition
This is an antique photo and is in generally good condition for its age. Please see photos for any foxing, corner damage, tears, folds, smudges, or other age damage that may be present.
