Category: Ricky Ricardo

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.

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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.

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I Love Lucy Studio Audience Ticket to “The Audition” Episode

On October 12, 1951, three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy, an audience packed the Desilu Playhouse to watch the filming of an episode called “The Audition.” This was the sixth I Love Lucy show of season one where Lucy Ricardo replaces a clown named Buffo for an act at Ricky’s club. Lucy is referred to as “the professor” and is dressed in an oversized blue suit who plays the cello. Shown here is an original ticket to that show. Tickets were complementary and given out in excess to fill the roughly 300 member audience each week. Accounting for all the episodes of I Love Lucy and number of people in each audience, over 50,000 tickets would have been made during the series run. However so few still exist today making them a rarity and highly collectible among fans.

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Elois Jenssen Lucy Ricardo fashion sketch for Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy

A fashion sketch by designer, Elois Jenssen for Lucille Ball’s character Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy. This particular illustration was recreated by Elois reportedly in the 1970’s. The original sketches Elois drew in the 1950’s are distinguished by darker vellum paper, tanned presumably from age.

The dress and can be seen in four classic I Love Lucy episodes – “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined”, “Million Dollar Idea”, “Oil Wells”, and “The Black Wig” spanning 1953 to 1954.

Thankfully, many of Elois’ sketches like this exist as it has aided to accurately colorize garments when CBS began doing to a handful of I Love Lucy shows. This dress and other memorable looks were beautifully recreated in 2004 for the official I Love Lucy Paper Dolls book.

by Categories: Autograph, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Elois Jenssen, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

by Categories: Babalu, Conga Drum, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Ricky Ricardo, Television, ToyTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment