At the end of the 5th season of I Love Lucy, creator and head writer Jess Oppenheimer left the show. At his farewell party he presented ‘Oppy Awards’ to select members of the cast and crew in appreciation of their long and devoted service. These bronze statuettes looked similar to an Oscar but more like Jess – a little man with glasses, bald and hands that were discreetly positioned in front of his crotch. Made of plaster and attached to a wood base each award stands 10.5 inches tall and has a bronze plaque affixed to the front. This particular “Oppy” award was presented to Dann Cahn, editor of I Love Lucy.
Category: Desi Arnaz
Desilu Sales Promotional Coaster Set
Desilu was a powerhouse in the television industry by the late 1950’s. Thus, a department called Desilu Sales Inc. was created to handle the sales, marketing and distribution of its shows and productions to markets across the country. Promotional items were created as gifts that were not available to the general public, such as this very rare coaster set.
Held together in a 4 inch square wooden case, is a ceramic toper featuring the Desilu Sales logo under a Lucy Ricardo stick figure and Lucille Ball’s signature. Underneath is a set of seven cork coasters for use when those meetings go a little longer than expected. Other promotional gifts included coffee mugs, ashtrays, lighters and more.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Gifted I Love Lucy Zippo Lighter
In the 1950’s, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz gave this Zippo lighter to close friends as well as the cast and crew of I Love Lucy. It features the Lucy and Ricky stick figures engraved against a heart with the inscription ‘Love Lucy & Desi.’ The Desilu team were considered family to the Arnazes and this was just one small token of their appreciation.
1950’s Desi Arnaz Toy Conga Drum
In the 1950’s fans couldn’t get enough of I Love Lucy. Promotional products, clothing and furniture endorsements by Lucy and Desi were everywhere, especially after the birth of Little Ricky on the show. This also included toys for the baby boomer generation such as dolls and accessories. Considered one of the rarest ‘Lucy’ collectibles, this toy conga drum was inspired by Desi’s talent and love of the instrument. Kids could belt out their own version of Babalu just like Desi Arnaz or Ricky Ricardo.
Made of a tough cardboard-like material and labeled “Desi’s Conga Drum” the body features a sketched image of Desi playing a conga just like it. It measures a little under 19 inches tall and the top “skin” is made of paper with a circumference of 11 inches. Both the top and bottom have a black metal band and the back seam which is stapled together, also has an attached green plastic shoulder strap.
It is unknown how many of these drums were actually produced by A & A American Metal Toy Company of Brooklyn, NY but very seldom have they surfaced. With nearly all of it made of some form of paper, it’s not hard to see why hardly any still exist. Most probably tore or fell apart after a few beatings and they would not hold up too well when exposed to other elements like water. This is also one of the few products created with Desi in mind, making it extra special.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Keys to Palm Springs Home and Trunks
A large set of personal keys to Lucille Ball’s Palm Springs home, footlockers and extra miscellaneous keys. The plastic ID tags have hand-writing on them which reads: “Foot Locker’s” – “Extra Keys” – “Extra P.S. Keys.” The Palm Springs set appear to be that of Lucy or Gary’s writing. An example of one of the foot lockers can be found HERE. This set of keys were acquired from the Ball-Morton-Arnaz estate.
Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Marriage Flower Card
In November of 1940 Desi was playing the Roxy in New York City and Lucy had finished “A Girl, A Guy and a Gob” for RKO. The studio sent her to NYC for the film’s premiere, which was great as she and Desi would be able to see and spend some time with each other. After giving an interview to a magazine about being single, Lucy was told by Desi that what she had said would change because they were going to get married the next day.
On November 30, 1940 Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were married at the Byram River Beagle Club in Connecticut. Wearing a black dress and silver fox coat and hat, Lucy accepted a ring Desi bought at Woolworths. Upon returning to Manhattan for Desi’s show that night, Lucy was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the manager of the Byram River Beagle Club along with this card. The reverse had a message from a Mr. Edward White, which sadly is now partially missing. What is visible Ed writes about seeing her in “Marines Fly High”, another movie Lucy made with RKO.
Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Gifted Catch-All
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz gave this whimsical ceramic catch-all to their niece, Pamela Ball in the mid to late 1940’s. It has been hand-painted by Lucy or Desi reading “Uncle Desi” and “Aunt Susie.” When Pamela was a little girl she had trouble pronouncing her aunt’s name, saying Susie instead of Lucy. She continued to call her Aunt Susie for years to come. We’re not sure what it originally held or contained but it was lovingly kept by Pamela for over 70 years.
Desi Arnaz MGM Employee Registration Form
In 1943, Desi Arnaz was under contract with MGM, appearing in the war film BATAAN. This is Desi’s studio registration form completed by hand in blue ink on January 4, 1943. The document lists personal information such as address, phone number, social security number and wife’s full name. Interesting note – he wrote May 2, 1917 as his date of birth when in reality it was March 2nd. He also lists his mother Delores as a dependent too.
The reverse has information regarding his immigration status, because at this time he was not yet a naturalized US citizen. Desi applied for citizenship in September of 1942 however he would not be officially naturalized until October 1943. Both sizes of this form is signed twice by Desi, including his full name.
American Weekly I Love Lucy Award
The American Weekly, a Sunday supplemental newspaper published from 1896 to 1966, held annual polls for television starting in the early to mid 1950’s. People were able to cast their vote for their favorite programs in various categories.
I Love Lucy was presented with this award for best comedy drama series for the 1952-1953 season. Lucy and company won at least four of these awards throughout their run. All were proudly displayed in Desi’s office at Desilu Studios among many of the other trophies.
Desilu Productions Studio Light
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz formed Desilu Productions in the early 1950’s. By 1957 their company was in high demand, growing and needed more space. While filming the episode “The Celebrity Next Door” for The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Desi struck a deal to buy RKO. This was the same studio where they met and worked for some 17 years prior. When Desilu took over they now owned multiple lots, many soundstages and all the props and wardrobe from Hollywood’s Golden Age. This included production equipment which Desi had all studio lights painted green and stenciled Desilu.
This studio light – number 692 – retains that original green paint and stencil and has all inner workings, cord and lens. The light still works and casts an extremely bright, very warm spotlight. A detachable arm allows it to be mounted from the rafters or on a rolling stand. This light may have lit some of the biggest film productions like Citizen Kane or King Kong in the RKO days to I Love Lucy and Star Trek for television.
Lucy & Desi’s Tea Cup & Saucer
Lucy and Desi’s cup and saucer set. Made in England, this fine china set descended from a line dating back to the mid 1800’s. The particular red pattern and depictions had a resurgence, post World War II and into the 1950’s. This set was owned and used by Lucy and Desi at their ‘Desilu’ Chatsworth home located in the San Fernando Valley. The set and all matching serveware was eventually given to Lucy’s brother Fred Ball presumably when the Arnazes moved to Beverly Hills in 1955.
Original 1954 fashion sketch of Lucille Ball by Elois Jenssen
An original 1954 fashion sketch of Lucille Ball by designer, Elois Jenssen. This vibrant illustration depicts a white, sweetheart bodice, chiffon evening gown draped in tulle, complete with kelly green necklace and earrings.
The costume sketch was produced for Lucy’s appearance at the Hollywood premiere of Judy Garland’s brilliant film, A Star is Born, that took place on October 16, 1954. Desi and Lucy were an astounding looking couple that night!
As one who held onto many things in her life, years later, Lucy wore the same jewelry set on a few episodes of Here’s Lucy.