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.
Category: Gifts
Large Glass Coffee Mug Gifted by Lucille Ball
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.
Desilu Sales Promotional Lighter
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 rare lighter.
Measuring 3 1/2 inches tall, the ceramic table lighter with gold trim, brass flint and cork bottom features the Desilu Sales logo underneath a Lucy Ricardo stick figure saying “Hi!” and Lucille Ball’s signature. Other promotional gifts included coffee mugs, ashtrays, coasters and more.
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.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Pewter Plate
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.”
Lucille Ball Gifted Rocks Glass Set
For Christmas during the Here’s Lucy years, Lucille Ball gave this set of eight rocks glasses to the cast and crew of her third hit series. One side features a large caricature of Lucy by Al Hirschfeld in black while the reverse has “Love, Lucy” mimicking her actual signature. Each glass measures 4 1/4 inches tall and has a heavy, solid base. These rocks glasses were made to accompany the black vinyl ice bucket featured in a previous post. Cheers to Lucy!
Desilu Sales Promotional Letter Opener
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 letter opener.
Measuring 8 inches long, the brass plated letter opener has a ceramic inlay plate with the Desilu Sales logo alongside a Lucy Ricardo stick figure and Lucille Ball’s signature. Other promotional gifts included coffee mugs, ashtrays, lighters and more.
Gold ‘Love, Lucy’ Wristwatch from Lucille Ball
For Christmas in 1986 Lucille Ball gave these gold wristwatches to close family and friends as well as those who worked on her last series Life With Lucy. The face of the watch features the Al Hirschfeld caricature above her ‘Love Lucy’ signature. Each watch had a black leather band and came in a hard shell case. Time pieces were a favorite gift of Lucille’s and would often be accompanied by messages reading – “I will always have time for you.”
Two styles were made – ones with large faces and etched lines on the edge were considered the men’s, while a slightly smaller face and smooth edge were for the ladies. The leather bands were also different with the men’s having textured leather (as seen in these photos) and the women’s being smooth. Less than 100 of these watches are said to have been made making them a special keepsake among fans.
I Love Lucy Creator, Jess Oppenheimer “OPPY AWARD”
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.
Lucille Ball Gifted Black Vinyl Ice Bucket
During the Here’s Lucy years, Lucille Ball gave this black vinyl ice bucket to the cast and crew of her third hit series. The front features a large caricature of Lucy by Al Hirschfeld in gold. The reverse has “Love, Lucy” mimicking her actual signature. The ice bucket stands 11 inches tall and measures roughly 8 inches in diameter. This particular bucket includes the original thongs just as it was given to a crew member of the show.
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.