Photograph with Dedication Dated 1955 Signed Fernandel – B&W Portrait Press Photo – French Cinema Don Camillo – COA Included

The signed photograph with dedication dated 1955 by Fernandel: an original historical document signed by the actor who played Don Camillo in his golden year

A relic of exceptional rarity, authenticity, and historical value: the black and white press photo captures Fernandel in a close-up portrait of great naturalness, with his unmistakable smile — the same smile that captivated audiences worldwide — and a checkered shirt that contributes to the informal and friendly atmosphere of the shot. The handwritten dedication in blue ink in the upper left corner reads: "Cordialement / Fernandel / 1955" — three elements of inestimable value: the dedication in French, the original signature, and the precise date, which places this autograph in a fundamental year of his career. 1955 was indeed the year of the release of Don Camillo and Peppone, the fourth film in the Guareschi saga that had already established Fernandel as an international star. The dimensions of 12.8x18 cm correspond to the typical format of vertical press photos of the era. Extraordinary excellent condition for a document almost seventy years old.

The legend: Fernandel

Fernandel, stage name of Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin (Marseille, May 8, 1903 – Paris, February 26, 1971), was one of the greatest comedic actors in the history of French and world cinema. With over 150 films to his credit in a forty-year career, he remained most famous for his role as Don Camillo in the film series based on Giovanni Guareschi's novels — five films between 1952 and 1965, all box office hits in Italy and France. His unmistakable physique, equine smile, and ability to transition from comedy to sentiment with absolute naturalness made him a timeless icon. Deceased in 1971, he is remembered as one of the greatest comedic talents cinema has ever produced. A Fernandel autograph, dated 1955, is today a historical document of absolute rarity and extraordinary collectible value, appreciated worldwide.

COA Certificate of Authenticity

This autograph comes with a free MTM Letter of Authenticity (LOA) and a COA Certificate of Authenticity issued exclusively by the most authoritative independent third-party certification bodies in the collecting sector worldwide (PSA, JSA, Beckett, Epperson, Autograph COA or Associazione Autografia) — both included in the price.

What is an original signed photograph?

An original signed photograph is a unique historical document in which the protagonist's signature was directly affixed to the print in certified presence, without intermediaries. When the autograph is accompanied by a dedication and a date — as in this extraordinary case — the documentary and collectible value is amplified exponentially: the date certifies with absolute precision the moment the autograph was affixed, transforming the piece into a dated and verifiable historical document. In the case of deceased artists like Fernandel, every authentic autograph is by definition unique. To these elements are added the free MTM Letter of Authenticity (LOA) and the COA included in the price, for internationally recognized protection.

Authenticity and MTM guarantee

MTM Memorabilia is the Italian benchmark for demanding collectors of authentic sports and cultural memorabilia. Each piece is selected with rigorous quality and provenance criteria by our experts. The originality of the medium is guaranteed directly by MTM, while the provenance and veracity of the autograph are declared by the free MTM Letter of Authenticity (LOA). Every shipment is made with rigid, shock-resistant and moisture-proof packaging to ensure maximum protection during transport. Express courier with delivery within 24/72 hours of payment confirmation, both for Italy and abroad.