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When the Movies Were Young by Linda Arvidson Griffith (Signed First Edition), 1925 🎥🎬⭐

Name: When the Movies Were Young by Linda Arvidson Griffith (Signed First Edition), 1925 🎥🎬⭐
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 1950.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1,950.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, personally signed first edition of When the Movies Were Young, a memoir of early cinema history by Linda Arvidson, who was married to the famous director D. W. Griffith. Published in 1925, this book is a primary source on the birth of Hollywood and the silent film era. Its status as a signed first edition makes it a premier acquisition for any serious collector of cinema history or fine antiquarian books.

The book is a firsthand account of the struggles, innovations, and personalities that defined the industry's formative years. It serves as a physical witness to the story of early Hollywood, told by a woman who was a star in her own right. This is a tangible connection to a celebrated era in American film and publishing history.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

When the Movies Were Young is Linda Arvidson's memoir of her experiences as an actress in the early days of motion pictures and her life with her husband, the celebrated director D. W. Griffith.

The book offers a unique and personal account of a time when the film industry was a scrappy, uncertain enterprise. The narrative is filled with anecdotes about pioneering actors, directors, and technicians who were inventing the cinematic language we know today.

The book's content is a rich exploration of the challenges and triumphs of early filmmaking, including the creative struggles, the long hours, and the constant innovation. It provides a rare glimpse into the personal lives and creative processes of figures who are now legends, many of whom were her colleagues and friends. It is a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Linda Arvidson Griffith (1884-1971) was an American stage and film actress and writer who was a key figure in the early days of silent film. She began her career at the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, where she met and married D. W. Griffith. She was a pioneering actress in her own right, appearing in more than 100 films and serving as an associate editor of Film Fun.

Her memoir, When the Movies Were Young, is considered a vital contribution to cinema history. Her dedication to documenting the contributions of early filmmakers is a testament to her passion for the art form.

Her marriage to D.W. Griffith was kept a secret for professional reasons, but they were creative partners in the early days of cinema, working together at Biograph Studios where Griffith rose to prominence. The couple separated around 1912 and their marriage finally ended in divorce in the 1930s.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1925, this book appeared at a time when the film industry was transitioning from the silent era to the age of talkies. It was a period of immense change, with new technologies, new stars, and new genres emerging at a rapid pace. The book reflects this period of transition, with Arvidson's narrative providing a nostalgic look back at the industry's humble beginnings.

The book serves as a historical marker, a document of a world that was on the verge of disappearing. The book's publication also occurred in the wake of the First World War, a period of cultural and social transformation in the United States, which saw Hollywood films becoming a major cultural export.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of cinema history, a scholar of the silent film era, or a private collector of fine and historically significant first editions. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book’s historical weight and its capacity to tell a story of a pivotal cultural moment. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

American history, fine publishing, and the traditions of memoir.
The personal and intellectual struggles that shaped a cultural era.
The true history of the American film industry.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1925 first edition is a very rare find, and its value is overwhelmingly driven by the author's signature and the book's historical importance. The scarcity of a signed copy is a key factor in its value, as many were not signed by the author. The book is a non-replicable asset, holding value that far exceeds that of a standard printing.

The price is a direct reflection of its scarcity and its documented place in the history of cinema. Its importance as a firsthand account of the birth of Hollywood further compounds its rarity.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a well-preserved survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with a book from the early 20th century. The original hardcover binding shows some discoloration and rubbing, which authenticates its long life. The interior is in good condition, with a firm and sound text block. The pages are free of major tears or markings.

Binding: The book is a hardcover with a plain cloth binding. It has a tight and sound text block.
Interior: The pages show some minor foxing and toning, which is a natural process for paper from this period. The inscription and signature on the front endpaper are clear and well-preserved.
Ephemera: The book's value is enhanced by a photograph of Linda Arvidson and other photos of early films.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

The book contains a handwritten inscription and an accompanying photograph. The inscription, signed on the front endpaper, reads:

Transcription: "To John A. Moriarty With the best wishes of the author Linda A. Griffith New York June 1926"

The book is a valuable historical document, and its value is enhanced by a photograph of Linda Arvidson and other photos of early films.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

The book is signed by "Linda A. Griffith," which is her married name.
Arvidson was a pioneer in the early days of silent film, appearing in more than 100 films and serving as an associate editor of Film Fun.
She was a "Biograph Girl," a term used for the leading female performers at the Biograph Company.
She and D. W. Griffith spontaneously wrote their names in a wedding registry at the Old North Church in Boston on May 14, 1906, after the San Francisco Earthquake.