Each year Lucille Ball and Gary Morton commissioned unique items that were given as Christmas presents to colleagues and friends. This custom-made pewter plate was one such present. Made by Wilton Columbia of Pennsylvania, it measures 9 1/2 inches in diameter and is stamped with RWP on the back which stands for Red Wing Pottery. The rim is engraved in large black letters with “Love, Lucy & Gary.”
Category: Gary Morton
Lucille Ball’s Purple Kennedy Center Honors Gown by Nolan Miller
On December 7, 1986 Lucille Ball was bestowed with the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC. The prestigious award could not have come at a better time in her life. Only a few days prior, Desi Arnaz pass away and a couple of months earlier her series “Life With Lucy” was cancelled. The rainbow ribbons were placed around Lucy’s neck during the black tie ceremony dinner held in the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin Dining Room.
Lucille look amazing wearing this custom-made purple gown by Nolan Miller. Consisting of dual-layered silk and chiffon the floor frock features a gathered waist for an elegant draped effect in the front, sheer long sleeves with button cuff closures and a high ruched collar.
The televised portion of the awards aired on December 26, 1986 and included performances to honor Lucy by Bea Arthur, Pam Dawber and Valerie Harper. A very poignant and emotional speech was given by Robert Stack which included a message from Desi. Lucy wore a different gown that evening which was also designed by Nolan Miller. Lucille Ball’s ribbons can be seen at the Lucy-Desi Museum and The National Comedy Center in her hometown of Jamestown, NY.
PIPS Loves Lucy & Lucille Ball Loves Backgammon
In the late 1960’s, early 70’s Lucille Ball became enamored with backgammon. She played it with Gary, family and even fans who would eventually become friends as much as possible. Another aficionado of the game was Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. He and real estate broker Stan Herman founded PIPS in 1973, a private non-profit backgammon club located in Beverly Hills. Dues were paid by members to play and they also hosted annual tournaments which would be named after the redhead called ” The Lucille Ball Backgammon Tournament.” They benefited various charities, a favorite of Lucy’s being the Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Division.
These mementos from PIPS are connected to Lucy’s involvement with the club over the years. The first being a heart shaped glass paperweight which reads PIPS Loves Lucy with her famous Al Hirschfeld caricature. The photo of Lucy holding one of these paperweights is from producer Larry York’s collection. PIPS also made matchbooks bearing the same graphics. Trophies were awarded, some doubling as a crystal decanter like the ‘Intermediate Winner’ of the 4th annual tournament held in 1979.
Lucille Ball loved backgammon so much she constructed permanent tables to be installed in her home, had several traveling cases to play on the go or on vacation and often held private in-home tournaments with those close to her. By the late 1980’s she and her cohorts could be found at the tables for hours on end.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Framed Personal Photo
Lucille Ball Framed Personal Family Photo
This color 6″ x 8″ family photo of Lucille Ball, Gary Morton, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. sat on a side table inside 1000 N. Roxbury Drive. The picture was taken at the front door of the home in the mid to 60’s. The brass framed portrait can be seen next to Lucy in a fantastic candid 3.5″ x 3.5″ personal snapshot. Fans may recognize the red dress Lucy is wearing from The Lucy Show and Yours, Mine and Ours.
Lucille Ball and Gary Morton Gifted Coffee Mug
A gift from the Morton’s sometime in the 1960’s was this off-white ceramic mug with gold rim. One side features a stick figure of Lucy which was the same image and signature used for the Desilu Sales items a few years earlier. The opposite side however has a rare stick figure and signature of Gary Morton swinging a golf club yelling “Fore!” This item may be the last time the stick figures were used because after forming Lucille Ball Productions, her Al Hirschfeld caricature would become the ‘standard’ for promotional products and gifts.
Lucille Ball’s Pink Nolan Miller Gown
On January 6, 1989 Lucille Ball and Gary Morton attended the 6th Annual American Cinema Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event presented by David Gest and sponsored by American Airlines honored Bette Davis, Clint Eastwood and Julio Iglesias.
Lucille look incredible wearing this 3-piece pale pink gown by Nolan Miller. The floor length ensemble with front slit consists of a sleeveless sheath dress with deep v-neck made of a nude crepe material, a sheer silk-chiffon long sleeve gown to go over top featuring pink and silver rhinestones encrusted in a floral pattern along with loop button cuffs and high neck closures. Adding a bit of drama to the look is a large sheer silk chiffon cape trimmed in pink ostrich feathers.
An original program from the awards features a congratulatory page to Bette and Clint from the Mortons with a photo of the couple taken on the set of Life With Lucy.
Valentine’s Day card from Lucille Ball to Gary Morton
A Valentine’s Day card filled with love from Lucille Ball to husband Gary Morton. The scalloped edge card features rose, bleeding heart and forget-me-not flowers with lace along with a note For you, Honey on the cover. The inside has a preprinted poem of which Lucy has underlined certain words. She also hand wrote “Gary Darling” and signed it “Your Wife.”
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 & Gary Morton Silver Mint Julep Cup Christmas Present
Friends of Lucille Ball and Gary Morton were given this silver mint julep cup for Christmas one year. The cup has an affectionate engraving which reads – “Love, Lucy & Gary.” This piece was still wrapped in the original box and holiday paper when it was acquired. It also has what is believe to be Wanda Clark’s writing on the exterior. Wanda was Lucy’s secretary for nearly 30 years. Silver mint julep cups are the standard for this drink because it allows ice to form on the outside of the cup. The proper way for drinking is to hold it by the base or top lip so your hand does not warm the cup.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Silver Revere Bowl & Plate
For Christmas one year, friends and colleagues of Lucille Ball and Gary Morton were given this silver set consisting of a Revere bowl and plate, each with the engraving “Love, Lucy & Gary” (names in their respective signatures). The bowl measures 4 inches wide while the plate measures roughly 8 inches in diameter. Both are made of solid silver and do require polishing from time to time to stay free of tarnish.
Lucy & Gary’s Lucite Candy Boxes
Pair of Lucite boxes from Lucille Ball and Gary Morton. In the 1980’s, President Ronald Reagan famously had a huge jar of jelly beans on his desk in the Oval Office. Staying on trend Mr. Morton had a similar version, using the “Morton’s Munchies” box filled with hard candies in his office at Lucille Ball Productions. The “Love, Lucy” heart box was given as a Christmas gift to close friends and family.
*Shared from the collection of Thomas J. Watson.