Tag: Chatsworth

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/

by Categories: Autograph, Card, CBS, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Gifts, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, PersonalTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Desi Arnaz MGM Employee Registration Form

In 1943, Desi Arnaz was under contract with MGM, appearing in the war film BATAAN. This is Desi’s studio registration form completed by hand in blue ink on January 4, 1943. The document lists personal information such as address, phone number, social security number and wife’s full name. Interesting note – he wrote May 2, 1917 as his date of birth when in reality it was March 2nd. He also lists his mother Delores as a dependent too.

The reverse has information regarding his immigration status, because at this time he was not yet a naturalized US citizen. Desi applied for citizenship in September of 1942 however he would not be officially naturalized until October 1943. Both sizes of this form is signed twice by Desi, including his full name.

by Categories: Desi Arnaz, Handwritten, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Lucy & Desi’s Tea Cup & Saucer

Lucy and Desi’s cup and saucer set. Made in England, this fine china set descended from a line dating back to the mid 1800’s. The particular red pattern and depictions had a resurgence, post World War II and into the 1950’s. This set was owned and used by Lucy and Desi at their ‘Desilu’ Chatsworth home located in the San Fernando Valley. The set and all matching serveware was eventually given to Lucy’s brother Fred Ball presumably when the Arnazes moved to Beverly Hills in 1955.

by Categories: Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment