Lucille Ball’s Cowhide Western Boots

One organization Lucille Ball supported for many years was SHARE. Founded in 1953 by the wifes of the Rat Pack, it is the oldest charity in Beverly Hills. In its 70+ years of exisitance, the members have raised over $65 million for children in need throughout the Los Angeles area.

Many of their fundraising events were a western theme. Lucy can be seen costumed in variations of this concept accompanied by Desi during the 1950’s, then Gary and family over the next three decades. These cowhide and leather western boots were Lucille’s and most likely worn to one of these galas. They were originally sold to the public during one of the estate auctions held in the mid-1990’s.

Television Academy Arts & Sciences Table Favor Honoring Lucille Ball

The Television Academy Arts & Sciences honored Lucille Ball on October 25, 1969 with an award and event proclaiming her “The First Lady of Television.” Held at the Beverly Hilton, the 14th annual affair was emceed by ‘Mr. Television’ himself Milton Berle in front of 1,000 members. Also in attendance was Lucy’s husband Gary Morton, two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr. and close friend Vivian Vance. During her emotional speech talking about Viv she said,

“I’m supposed to say something like ‘the vivacious, vital, Vivian Vance.’ But that isn’t it. We’ve been through so much together on the screen and off. Some good times, some bad times.”

This three inch gold plated metal table favor was given to guests that evening. The souvenir statue is made to look like a TV atop the academy’s acronym: ‘NATAS.’ An engraved insert features the Lucille Ball caracature drawn by Al Hirschfeld and the text ‘A Salute To Lucille Ball – October 25, 1969.’

Lucille Ball’s Wool & Silver Fox Fur Coat

Lucille Ball once said, “I love furs. I actually like them more than jewelry.” This black wool coat trimmed in silver fox fur was one of her favorites. For their one year anniversary Lucy and Gary decided to head East to New York City and celebrate where they first met. During the Thanksgiving holiday hiatus, Lucy and Vivian Vance flew into Idlewild Airport to meet their husbands on November 15, 1962 where Lucy was photographed wearing the coat.

An image of Lucy and Viv taken on this trip inspired famed characture artist Al Hirschfeld to capture the dynamic dou which he rendered into the well-known sketch of Lucille holding her purse and cigarette. This artwork would be used over the years for such things as the 1984 Museum of Broadcasting event honoring Lucy as the First Lady of Comedy.

Lucy Carmichael would wear the coat as part of a disguise on the March 22, 1965 episode of The Lucy Show entitled, “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor.” It is most likely around this time Lucille gifted the coat to close friend and actress Carole Cook who often guest starred in the series and lent her voice as ‘Lady Cynthia’ for this particular episode. Carole would wear and retain the coat for over the next 50 years.

Lucille Ball’s Glass Coaster from NYC Apartment

Lucille Ball returned to New York City in the early 1980’s when she and Gary moved into an apartment on the East side of Manhattan so she could be closer to her grandkids and daughter Lucie. Paula Stewart, close friend and co-star of the Broadway musical Wildcat, was tasked to be the interior decorator. Lucy wanted a “clean, uncomplicated space that was cheerful and child-proof.” This glass coaster with silver trim was part of that decor and adorned her dining room table as featured in the May 1984 issue of Architectural Digest.

Lucille Ball’s Crystal Cigarette Box

This ornate crystal cigarette box was used by Lucille Ball and Gary Morton to hold their favorite ciggies. It features an etched line pattern with brass hinges and trim along with a sold brass rose handle.

In 1974 The Sunday Times Magazine interviewed Lucille Ball and did a spread at home for their coverstory entitled, “The eternal Lucy show” where the box is visible on a side table in her Beverly Hills sitting room. The crystal lighter we featured in a previous post can also be seen next to this holder.

Lucie Arnaz Birthday Party Invitation

A good ole fashioned hoedown was theme one year for Lucie Arnaz’s birthday party based on this original invitation. Held at the house on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills, guests were asked to “wear yer Levi’s ‘n ginghams” and RSVP for the July 17th celebration. Reading this flyer sounds like script from the I Love Lucy episodes where Cousin Ernie visited the Ricardos.

Gary Morton’s Ornately Framed Photo of Lucille Ball

Morton Goldaper better known as Gary Morton married Lucille Ball in the early 1960’s. After moving into the home on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills, Lucy gave Gary this beautiful and seductive photo of her. Mounted in an oval and very ornate brass frame, Lucille added the sultry inscription – Gary! Gary! Gary! This piece sat on Gary’s nightstand in the Morton’s bedroom for over two decades. It was seen publicly when Barbara Walters interviewed Lucy and Gary in 1977 and cameras went inside the mansion.

Lucille Ball’s Off-White Sheath Dress Worn to ‘Lucy Day’ at the New York World’s Fair

Queens, New York was host to the 1964/65 World’s Fair. On Monday, August 31, 1964 it was delcared “Lucy Day”, honoring TV’s Queen of Comedy. It started with her arrival at 10:00 AM alongside her entourage of husband Gary Morton, mother Dede and friend, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. Even Lucy’s hair stylist Irma Kusely was there to ensure Ms. Ball looked her best.

After getting caught in the rain, Lucille had to change from her first ensemble into this short sleeve, knee length sheath style dress. The off-white garment features two rows of binding strips at the collar and sleeves as well as two side vents at the bottom hem. It has a silk, champagne color lining and zipper back with hook and eye closure.

Lucy wore the dress for the majoity of the 8-hour day. Including conducting the band who performed “Hey Look Me Over” from her Broadway play Wildcat, during the parade and even while dancing on stage with Gary and Hedda doing her signature ‘twist.’ In the 1980’s Lucy gave the dress to Actors and Others for Animals for their charity auction which is how it ended up in public hands.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Lucite Container

Lucille Ball and Gary Morton gave this large acyrlic storage container to close friends and associates as a Christmas gift. It has three compartments and features a hinged lid that is etched with LOVE, LUCY & GARY. Some say each section held different types of candy or sweets for the holiday season. Once consumed it made a great case to store desk items or anything that needed a little organization.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Kennedy Center Personal Photo with Ronald & Nancy Reagan

In late 1986, Lucille Ball was one of the recipents of the Kennedy Center Honors. The ninth annual awards ceremony, held in Washington, D.C. was a tremendous celebration for the performing arts . Lucy and husband Gary Morton posed for a photo before the Honors gala with then President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. The Morton’s were later given this photo and framed it for display in their Beverly Hills home. In a rare, candid picture taken inside the Roxbury Drive mansion, this framed photo can be seen on a side table in the living room.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Wedding Favors

On November 19, 1961 Lucille Ball and Gary Morton were married by Norman Vincent Peale at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. Their reception was held in Lucy’s penthouse apartment located on East 69th Street. This collection of wedding favors were from that evening.

The set includes a card and envelope with The Mortons printed in blue on the front, gold and white monogrammed box of matches with matching napkin and “Lucy and Gary” matchbooks.

Lucille Ball Handwritten “The Mrs.” Love Letter to Gary Morton

Gary Morton received the handwritten love letter from Lucille Ball affectionately signed “The Mrs.” Using pink stationary Lucy writes on a Sunday in part, “how much I love and need you,” expressing her appreciation and that he is “really special and adored.” The letter is complete with a matching envelope which reads My Gary.

Many personal letters between Lucy and Gary such as this were first made available to the public through an entertainment auction held in Beverly Hills in 2010. Gary’s former wife after Lucy, Susie Morton (McAllister) consigned many effects retained by Gary in the Palms Springs home he once shared with Lucille. This is the same home she built in the 1950’s with Desi Arnaz.