Category: Television

Lucille Ball Autographed ‘Stone Pillow’ Poster

Lucille Ball stepped out of her “Lucy” comfort zone in 1985 to portray a homeless woman living on the streets of New York City. In the TV film Stone Pillow, Lucille plays ‘Florabelle’ (named after her grandmother) an eccentric bag lady who prides herself on being an independant loner toting all her worldly possessions in cart.

This window card sized poster was made to promote the movie however a selection of 100 were autographed ‘Love Lucy’ for a charity event. Production took place during an unusal warm spell in the Big Apple and wearing layers of winter clothing for her costume, Lucy at age 73, endured extreme temperatues well into the triple digits. Reviews are mixed but she should be commended for completing the project all while giving a superb performance.

by Categories: Autograph, Card, Handwritten, Lucille Ball, Movie, Personal, Stone Pillow, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Desilu Productions Stock Certificate

Desilu Productions was a well respected and successful corporation, one that other studios looked at for their inspiring “Desilu Method” of filming shows using three cameras in front of an audience. In 1962, Lucille Ball became the first woman in history to own a television studio and under her reign some very important productions were made – The Untouchables, Mission Impossible and of course Star Trek.

Desi and Lucy were president and vice president of Desilu Productions when it became a publicly traded company in 1958. Investors and everyday people could own a piece of the Desilu empire. This is an original stock certificate for 100 common shares retained by Desilu Productions Inc. that was redeemed on January 19, 1966.

by Categories: Autograph, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Paramount, Personal, RKO, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

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.

by Categories: Autograph, Gary Morton, Handwritten, Lucille Ball, Personal, Photo, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Desilu Sales Promotional Pencil Cup

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 pencil cup.

Measuring 4 1/4 inches high and just over 3 inches in diameter, the ceramic cup with cork bottom features a gold rim and the Desilu Sales logo underneath a large Lucy Ricardo stick figure saying “Hi!” along with Lucille Ball’s signature. A rare addition is the small plate or catch-all that the holder sits on. Other promotional gifts included coffee mugs, ashtrays, letter openers and more.

by Categories: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pencil Cup, Personal, Ricky Ricardo, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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.

by Categories: Gary Morton, Lucille Ball, Personal, Television, The Lucy Show, World's FairTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Earrings worn on The Lucy Show

Lucy Carmichael tries to go on a date with Frank Winslow played by Clint Walker in The Lucy Show episode “Lucy and the Sleeping Beauty” which aired on November 15, 1965. Frank is a construction worker who is extremely tired when she shows up to Lucy’s place. If startled from sleeping he goes into combat mode from being in the war and starts swinging. Lucy unfortunately finds this out when he dozes off on her couch.

Lucy looks absolutely gorgeous in her new dress and wears these beautiful earrings for the date. The clip-on set features a circular gold base with emerald green beads and a cluster of lighter jade beads in a series of layers. They are very similar to the Miriam Haskell set Lucille owned and could very well been made by Haskell as well.

by Categories: Desilu, Earrings, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Miriam Haskell, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Crystal Table Lighter

If Lucille Ball liked something whether it be a garment or household item she held onto it as long as possible. This very ornate crystal table lighter is one such thing. Standing 8 inches tall it features three sections of crystal in a diamond cut or etched pattern. The solid square base anchors the piece while a brass rod holds it all together. The refillable lighter is in working condition with a push knob flint.

This lighter is (to our knowledge) first seen on the coffee table inside Lucy’s dressing room at Desilu Studios in the late 1950’s/early 60’s. When she moved to New York City and was doing Wildcat on Broadway, it appeared on the side table of the living room. Fast forward to 1974 when The Sunday Times Magazine interviewed Lucille Ball and did a spread at home for their coverstory entitled, “The eternal Lucy show” it is visible in her Beverly Hills sitting room.

by Categories: Cigarettes, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, I Love Lucy, Lighter, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Vivian Vance Feather Headpiece from The Lucy Show

Vivian Vance returned to TV after I Love Lucy in 1962 for Lucille Ball’s second hit series, The Lucy Show. Airing on the last day of the year the episode entitled “Chris’ New Years Eve Party,” Lucy Carmichael and Vivian Bagley perform a silent movie sketch to help save Chris’ dull party.

In full costume, Lucy brilliantly portrays Charlie Chaplin while Viv is a flirtatious 1920’s flapper wearing this black feather headpiece. One end has an attached comb to secure the feather to her hair and a black velvet bow to hide it. This may have been added later for use in another production as the bow does not appear visible in the sketch.

by Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Feathers, Lucille Ball, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian VanceTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Gifted Watch to Dann Cahn

One of the original creative members of the I Love Lucy team was editor, Dann Cahn. He pioneered the editing of television shows shot with the three-camera system. In 1954 Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz gave him this small token of their apprecaiton for all the hard work he had done.

Made by CYMA, this 10 karat gold wristwatch is engraved – “To Danny Love Lucy and Desi.” A letter on Desilu stationary signed by the Arnaz’s accompanies the watch and was kept by Dann for nearly sixty years until his death in 2012.

by Categories: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Gifts, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jewelry, Letter, Lucille Ball, Personal, Television, WatchTags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

1974 Postcard from Vivian Vance

Based on this response, Vivian Vance was writing a book in the early 1970’s. Postmarked on February 14, 1974 this postcard sent to a Mr. Michael Marcel, she states – “I am writing my book – Viv and will be unable to grant your request for it’s all in my book.” To our knowledge this project never came to fruition so could there be an undiscovered autobiography somewhere out there?

by Categories: Autograph, Card, Ethel Mertz, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Personal, Television, Vivian VanceTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Aqua Ostrich Feather Vest

In 1964 Lucille Ball started a radio show called Let’s Talk to Lucy interviewing many people she found interesting both famous and not. One interview was with Academy Award winning designer, Edith Head. Towards the end of their two day session Lucy discusses her love of feathers and the color aqua. Edith dreams up an aqua feather cape and slim dress for Lucy and thus, this creation was born.

Featuring sections of handsewn aqua ostrich feathers, covering an elongated vest-style garment, Edith along with Edward Stevenson made this one of a kind piece for Lucille Ball. Lucy wears the vest for the opening credits of The Lucy Show (a rare behind the scenes clip of the filming for this is shown here). Then in March of 1967 Lucy wears it to the New York City premiere of Throughly Modern Millie starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing. In 1969 Lucille makes a very brief apperance at the end with it on Jack Benny’s New Look slapping Jack’s face saying “How dare you do a special without me!” In Lucy’s 1974 film of MAME it can be seen briefly in her stateroom amongst many of her other personal garments. Finally, as part of her western costume while attending a S.H.A.R.E. party in the mid-1970’s, Lucy wears the vest alongside her husband Gary Morton and mother, DeDe.

If the whereabouts of the sheath dress under the vest are known, please contact us!

by Categories: Costume, Edith Head, Edward Stevenson, Feathers, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Personal, Radio, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Desilu Sales Promotional Ashtray

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 ashtray.

Measuring 6 3/4 inches across, the ceramic ashtray features a gold rim and the Desilu Sales logo underneath a large Lucy Ricardo stick figure saying “Hi!” along with Lucille Ball’s signature. Other promotional gifts included coffee mugs, lighters, letter openers and more.

by Categories: Ashtray, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Personal, Ricky Ricardo, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment