Desilu Sales Promotional Coffee Mug

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 coffee mug.

The gold rimmed, off-white ceramic mug features a Lucy Ricardo stick figure along with Lucille Ball’s signature and the Desilu Sales logo underneath. What makes this particular mug extra special is a name was printed in the “Hi!” bubble. Could this be Bill Frawley or Bill Asher? Hard to say but most of these were made without a name. Other promotional gifts included pencil cups, ashtrays, letter openers and more. See the previous posts of Desilu Sales items as examples.

1952 Holiday Card from Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz

Christmas 1952 was a special one for the Arnazes as their family would soon grow in less than a month with the birth of their second child. Lucille Ball sent this holiday card to Joanne & Pepito Perez, close friends and former vaudeville entertainers who helped Lucy and Desi develop acts that eventually lead to I Love Lucy.

The card is printed on the inside with Lucille, Desi and Lucie Arnaz however Lucy wrote the following:

and “Thumper” – Hope you’ll call us & come up over the Holidays – Please do – Empire 3-1597 Love Lucy & Desi

Joanne also wrote in pencil the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd. and Devonshire St. along with the street number 19700 of the Desilu ranch in Chatsworth, CA.

I Love Lucy fans can thank Joanne for discovering an original print of the I Love Lucy pilot long thought lost and never seen by the public until the early 1990’s. To learn more about Pepito and Joanne and their incredible time in show business, please visit: https://pepitoandjoanne.com/

The Long, Long Trailer Original Title Artwork

During the hiatus of I Love Lucy in the summer 1953, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz filmed a romantic comedy for MGM called The Long, Long Trailer. Fans of the couple got to see them together on the big screen and in color for the first time and it was a blockbusting success.

The movie opened with the instrumental version of “Breezin’ Along with the Breeze” along with this title card. Hand painted with thick, glossy royal blue paint the artwork measures over 32 inches by 24 inches, and was shot by the camera with added layers of a red, white and blue ribbon with wagon wheel and shadows of leaves to give it depth. The copyright information, MGM logo and text “produced” are missing but the adhesive used for them can still be visible at the bottom.

Lucille Ball’s Lilac 3-Piece Ensemble

Lucille Ball returned to TV in the Fall of 1986 in Life With Lucy. The show was produced by Aaron Spelling in association with Lucille Ball Productions for ABC. Her return to a weekly sitcom was heavily publicized, and for good reason. Fans could not wait to see the beloved redhead on television again. One publicity photoshoot of Lucy was done at Spelling’s Holmby Hills mansion dubbed “The Manor.” Photos of Ball wearing various outfits were taken by the pool and in and around the lush backyard.

One such garment was this custom-made, silk 3-piece ensemble. Pale lavender with a scattered floral pattern in black and white, it consists of a deep V-neck short sleeved blouse, loose fitting jacket with long, bell sleeves and pants featuring a bow attached at the waist, side pockets and French cut slits at the hemline. The jacket securely attaches to the blouse at the shoulders with snap buttons.

One image taken during this session can be seen in the October 1986 issue of Life Magazine in a beautiful, color full page spread. Had the series continued longer, Lucille would most likely have worn this outfit on the show. A very similar gown was constructed using the same material but in pale blue and worn in the episode “Mother of the Bride.” Lucy then wore this to Desi Jr. and Amy’s wedding in 1987.

Ross Martin’s Signed Photo of a Toddler Lucille Ball

Actor and director Ross Martin began his career in the late 1940’s but is best known for portraying Artemus Gordon on CBS’s Western The Wild Wild West in the 1960’s. Martin ventured into the Desilu orbit in the late 50’s appearing in various productions like Whirlybirds and The Twilight Zone. This is when he most likely became friends with Lucille Ball.

In 1970, he first directed Lucille on season 3, episode 14 of Here’s Lucy entitled “Lucy, the Part-Time Wife.” Then again in 1971 for the episode “Lucy and the Raffle.” The photo of Ross and Lucy shown here was taken during this filming. The following year the two would appear on an episode of Password with Allen Ludden.

Martin lived in Ramona, CA about 35 miles northeast of San Diego. The walls of his billiards room and bar area was said to have many signed photos of celebrities as children or babies. This framed toddler photo of Lucille Ball was one of them. Lucy inscribed in the white areas:

“Now hear this! Ours is a long friendship. Love Lucy”

Lucille Ball’s Nu-Trex Wig Cleaner

Categorized under unique and unusual is this empty tin quart of Nu-Trex Wig Cleaner once owned and used by Lucille Ball. Since 1947, Nu-Trex has created shampoos, conditioners and cleaners for hair industry professionals, including products for synthetic and real wigs.

Lucy famously wore many wigs starting in 1960’s so she and longtime hairstylist Imra Kusely most likely went through many bottles of this product. The tin was part of a collection of pieces Frank Gorey kept as he assisted the estate of cleaning and clearing out items from the Beverly Hills home, after Lucille’s passing. Frank was the Ball/Arnaz/Morton family’s majordomo for over three decades.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Bedside Turn Down Mat

Turn down mats are placed bedside on the floor so when you step into bed it reads “Good Night.” Then when you arrise and get out of bed, the opposite side reads “Good Morning.” This white linen turn down mat was made for Lucille Ball and Gary Morton. Embroidered with light blue thread the mat reads:

“Good Morning Lucy – Good Night Gary”

It’s unclear if this is a prototype sample or a gift to the couple as the same name should appear on both sides but it is certainly a unique item from the Morton’s bedroom.

Large 1957 Hawaiian Postcard from Lucille Ball to Journalist Radie Harris

In May of 1957, during the hiatus of filming I Love Lucy, the Arnaz family vacationed on the Big Island of Hawaii. The last photo shown of Lucy, Desi, Lucie and Desi Jr. is believed to have been taken on this trip in the eastern city of Hilo. While on the island, Lucille Ball sent this oversized postcard of an erupting Mauna Loa to journalist Radie Harris with the quirky message:

“Dear Radie – I took 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of flour, just a pinch of baking soda – and look what happened – but everything is so different and gigantic over here I should have known – Love Lucy Arnaz”

Radie was best known for her work for The Hollywood Reporter, writing columns from the 1940s until 1989. She then had her own radio show interviewing celebrities, befriending many of them, on CBS. Harris also was a contributing writer to Photoplay magazine, Variety, and other movie magazines throughout her career. In 1982, Radie was honored by the Publicists Guild of America and lived to be ninety six passing away in 2001 at the Actors Fund Nursing Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

Lucille Ball’s “FLAME” Max Factor Creme Rough Makeup

We dug into Lucille Ball’s travel cosmetics case from a previous post to share one of her creme rouges. Made by Max Factor, a preferred makeup brand, the color is called ‘FLAME’ (cue the reference to her flaming red hair). Directions say to use finger tips to apply and blend. The swirl marks made by Lucy’s can easily be seen inside of this heavily used cosmetic.

Gale Gordon Commemorative Theater Glasses

Veteran character actor Gale Gordon appeared in all of Lucille Ball’s television series from the 1950’s until the 1980’s. Lucy originally wanted him to play the roll of Fred Mertz however he was commited to Our Miss Brooks. He was an incredible talent and perfect foil for all of Lucy’s antics.

In the 1980’s there were dinner theaters throughout Canada operated by Stage West. This included two locations in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Gale performed on the Edmonton stage in 1980 for “A Ghost on Tiptoe.” Then in 1982 at the Winnipeg location in “Norman is That You?” These were promotional drinking glasses the theater company produced to honor the stars performing in their shows. Each stand around seven inches tall and hold 8 oz. of liquid.

Today, Stage West still operates a dinner theater in Calgary. The Winnipeg theater was dempolished in 1985, while the one Edmonton now operates under the name Mayfield Dinner Theater.

Television Academy Arts & Sciences 14th Annual Ball Honoring Lucille Ball Ticket & Program

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 in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 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, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., Vivian Vance and many other friends.

Shown here is an original program, ticket and RSVP stub from the ball. A three-inch gold-plated metal table favor was also given to guests that evening. Lucy wore a beautiful aqua chiffon grown adorned with beads and rhinestones that trimmed the collar and front hem with sleeves that were engulfed with ostrich feathers at the ends. (to be featured in another post)

Lucille Ball’s Curly Red Wiglet

If a hairstyle called for a certain look or something extra, wiglets were used in addition to the regular wig. Simply pinned on the main wig these added height, shape, more curls or possible used to cover something.

This was one of Lucy’s red wiglets. Her longtime hairstylist Imra Kusely dyed it to match her hair color and the piece still retains the original curls and shape with hairspray from when it was used.