Tag: Autograph

Lucille Ball’s 1983 March of Dimes Jack Benny Memorial Award

On Thursday evening, June 2, 1983 Lucille Ball was honored by the March of Dimes with the Jack Benny Memorial Award at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Guests for the event included Julie Andrews, Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Gregory Peck. Close friend and fellow comedian Carol Burnett presented Lucy the award for lifelong contributions to the world of entertainment and her dedicated support of charitable causes.

The award is actually an enameled wood music box that measures roughly 9 inches by 5 inches and features a bronze plaque on the inside engraved “March of Dimes Jack Benny Memorial Award presented to Lucille Ball – June 2, 1983” along with a depiction of Benny’s signature violin and the March of Dimes logo.

The exterior lid is adorned with a decorative antique porcelain rose from the People’s Republic of China, crafted circa 1862-74 by Tung Chih. Also shown here is an original silver program from the ceremony with an illustration sketch of Lucille on the cover. Ball also signed it on the front as well inside with an inscription “To Eddy.” The program is filled with photos and salutations from various celebrities, friends, industry leaders and networks.

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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”

by Categories: Autograph, Desilu, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Personal, PhotoTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Handwritten Birthday Letter from Lucille Ball to Fred Williams

Fred Williams was a renowned makeup artist and celebrity portrait painter. He became Lucille Ball’s primary makeup man in the early 1970’s on her series Here’s Lucy and feature film, MAME. Lucille wrote this letter on her personal stationary to Fred and his wife Christine thanking them for remembering her birthday.

“Dearest Chris & Fred – Have tried to call you several times to tell you how happy I was with your birthday remembrance – I’m glad I caught you that nite you two are a slippery pair! Hope everything is well with you – My love as always Lucy”

Williams continued helping Lucy look incredible throughout the 80’s as well. Today fans can see a portrait of Lucy from MAME Fred painted on display at the Lucy-Desi Museum in her hometown of Jamestown, New York.

by Categories: Autograph, Birthday, CBS, Film, Fred Williams, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Makeup, MAME, Movie, Personal, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Wildcat Broadway Playbill Signed by Lucille Ball

The musical comedy “Wildcat” debuted in Philadelphia on October 29, 1960. However, the official Broadway premiere was delayed because of a major blizzard that left the trucks hauling sets and costumes to New York City stranded for several days. Finally on December 16th it opened at the Alvin Theatre in Midtown Manhattan.

This an original playbill from one of the performances on West 52nd Street that has been signed “Love Lucy” by the headliner herself, Lucille Ball. Three other signatures also adorn the cover who are believed to be dancers or other actors in the show.

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Lucille Ball Inscribed Portait to Gary Morton

Lucille Ball penned to husband Gary Morton “Gary! Gary! Gary! My Guy “Your Missus – Lucy” on this uncommon side portrait of her from the mid-1940’s. Against a red background that almost matches her lips, Lucy wears a white top that has her initials embroidered on the center neckline – LDB for Lucille Desiree Ball. During their marriage she and Gary would write each other many notes and letters and Lucille sometimes gave him photos of herself with inscriptions such as this.

by Categories: Autograph, Gary Morton, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Movie, Personal, PhotoTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Large 1960’s Photo inscribed to Jess Oppenheimer

Jessurun (Jess) Oppenheimer was called “the brains” behind I Love Lucy. He was the series creator, producer and head writer. It was in radio where Lucy and Jess would first work together on My Favorite Husband that eventually spawned, arguably, the most popular TV show of all time.

This oversized photo of Lucille taken in the mid to late 1960’s has been framed and matted with Lucy’s inscription to the “force” behind the ‘Lucy’ show, simply put:

“Dear Jess with my Love Lucy”

by Categories: Autograph, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jess Oppenheimer, Lucille Ball, Personal, PhotoTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Desi Arnaz Autographed Del Mar Race Track Program

Desi Arnaz loved horse racing and even had a ranch in Corona, California where racers were bred. In the 1950’s a favorite getaway of his was going down to Del Mar, just north of San Diego. There at the famous race track and thoroughbred club “where the turf meets the surf,” Mr. Aranz could be found each racing season. After he and Lucy divorced, Desi bought a home mere feet from the track, right on the ocean and lived there until his passing. This program from the 1977 season was signed by Desi on the cover. Many photos of Desi and family can be seen in and around the track to this day.

by Categories: Autograph, Babalu, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Signed Oversized MGM Publicity Photo

Lucille Ball was awarded the title “Technicolor Tessie” by make-up artists and cameramen when she was with MGM in the early 1940’s. Her blue eyes, coral-rouged lips, fair skin and newly changed haircolor to a shade of “Tech Red” made her apperance in technicolor sensational and pop on screen.

This oversized publicity photo highlights this very glamourous time in Lucy’s career. Taken during the run of the films Du Barry Was A Lady and Best Foot Forward, images from this session were used throught the press world to showcase the studio’s new leading lady. Measuring roughly 15 inches by 19 inches it has been signed in blue ink by the redhead and beautifully framed in gold, one of Lucy’s favorite colors.

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La Jolla Postcard from Vivian Vance to parents

In the Summer of 1951 Vivian Vance was on stage at the La Jolla Playhouse in the production of “The Voice of the Turtle.” While staying at the La Jolla Palms Hotel, Vance wrote to her parents with this postcard postmarked July 16, 1951 which reads:

“This is the greatest place since Italy – we just love it – and so cool cool. We’ll be here 3 week – Love Vivian”

The show opened on Tueday, July 24, 1951. Around this time the ‘Lucy‘ crew was desparately searching for someone to play Ethel Mertz on a new TV show set to begin production in a few weeks. Director Marc Daniels recalled an actress he’d worked with that was performing at the La Jolla Playhouse. Desi Arnaz and Jess Oppenheimer drove down to see the Saturday, July 28th matinee. They found their Ethel and the rest is history.

by Categories: Autograph, Card, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jess Openheimer, Personal, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Vivian VanceTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

William Frawley Inscribed Brown Derby Menu

The Brown Derby was once an iconic restaurant in Hollywood and the surrounding area. It was a place where one could spot their favorite movie stars enjoying a meal – “Remember, they’re just people like you and me.” Said to be birthplace of the Cobb Salad, the building was also shapped like the hat which it was named.

Lucy Ricardo, Fred and Ethel Mertz went to ‘the watering hole’ in a famous epsiode of I Love Lucy, seeing the likes of Cary Grant, Eve Arden and of course William Holden. This original dinner menu from ‘The Derby’ was used by a fan to obtain an autograph from William Frawley. Bill inscribed on the back in part…”hello and good wishes.”

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Lucille Ball’s 1985 Will Rogers Memorial Award

On March 1, 1985 Lucille Ball was the recipient of the annual Will Rogers Memorial Award from the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association, at a black-tie Silver Anniversary Ball held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Past honorees include Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Ella Fitzgerald, George Burns with Jimmy Durante being the first entertainer recognized in 1960 for outstanding contributions to the entertainment world.

The wooden plaque measures 11″ x 13.5″ with a copper-faced plate featuring the sculptured relief image of Will Rogers at the top and the engraved commendation below. Paired with the award is an original program from the evening signed by Lucy on the cover.

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William Frawley Signed Early Career Photo Card

William Frawley came to Hollywood in 1933 after some success in vaudeville and Broadway. Much of his work in films was as a character actor well before being known as the lovable Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy. This uncommon photo card of Bill is from the late 20’s-early 30’s and has been signed in blue ink. Unfortunately his last name is spelled incorrectly, which may not have been a good thing seeing it was most likely a publicity card used by studios for casting talent.

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