When you lose an icon like Shirley Temple, it makes you realise just how golden the golden age of cinema really was.

Let me be clear, I'm not one of these people who believes modern film is a complete waste of time.

Yet when you compare the relentless special effects and action sequences of many current offerings with the beautiful simplicity of the black and white era, it's hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia.

And Shirley Temple, as one of the biggest stars of the 1930s, is the personification of what many of us hold dear about those black and white days.

She offered innocent, wholesome entertainment. Her films, it must be said, were not always of the highest calibre. Yet they are the embodiment of a simpler, more innocent time.

They give me, and countless others, feelings of warmth and wistfulness.

And as we lose Shirley Temple, we lose one of the last remaining connections with those times.

It's the reason why memorabilia and signed photographs of the classic Hollywood film stars are so popular with collectors. They help us remember those days. They connect us to the past. To our youth.

·         This Judy Garland autograph we have for sale does just that.

·         As does this Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon signed photo.

·         And then there's this signed photograph from Shirley Temple herself.

When Shirley met J Edgar

It is a remarkable snapshot of America in the 1930s. Because alongside Shirley is J Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI, and several members of his staff.

In fact, Hoover has also signed the photograph.

That's the power of collectibles such as these. While everyone can hold memories, or watch the films of their youth, only a select few of us can have our very own personal, tangible connection to the great names of the past.

You can join this select club today.

·         Call +44 (0)117 933 9500 or email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com

Thanks for reading,

Paul