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.

Lucille Ball’s Tan Mink Car Coat

Lucille Ball kept warm in the winter months for over three decades wearing this tank mink car coat. Her husband Gary Morton gave her the fur in the mid 1960’s, wearing it on camera for their mid-January appearance of the gameshow Password.

The coat features a gold silk lining, two side pockets, a large lapel and collar that can be stood up or laid down and a rear belt. While on Password she says, “I like furs better than I do jewelry,” this fur being one of her favorites.

While in New York Lucy had a series of publicity shots taken in the coat high above the NYC skyline. She took it with her on overseas trips to Europe and into the 1980’s wore the coat to a “Little Shop of Horrors” show.

Life With Lucy Cast & Crew Sweatshirt

Aaron Spelling Productions started a new weekly series on ABC for the Fall of 1986 called “Life With Lucy.” Lucille Ball would return to television in an attempt to resurrect the “Lucy” character fans all knew and loved. Wanting to get ‘back in her arena’ she called on veteran actor Gale Gordon to be her straight man and co-star.

This sweatshirt is believed to be a gift to the cast and crew or possibly a prototype. Since the show was unfortunately canceled early on, plans to potentially mass produce these ceased. It features the Al Hirschfeld caricature and a variation of show’s logo printed in a totally 80’s salmon pink with royal blue shadowing. Similar promotional items were made including hats, bumper stickers and a jacket (which was shared in a past post).

MAME Ashtray Gift from Lucille Ball

Friends, some press as well as cast and crew of the 1974 motion picture MAME received this off-white porcelain ashtray from its star, Lucille Ball. The circular, gold rimmed ashtray features the film’s title in the center and Lucy’s signature Love Lucy below. This particular piece was never used and still included the original box when it was aquired. Two versions of ashtrays were made, possibly for different years. The other is a square style that has a felt bottom.

Here’s Lucy Cast & Crew Gifted Hat

Here’s Lucy premiered on CBS in late September of 1968. The third sitcom for ‘Lucy and Co.’ centered around the Carter family who lived in Southern California. Lucille Ball starred alongside Gale Gordon, who portrayed brother-in-law Harrison Carter, and her children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. as her on screen kids Kim and Craig. The show ran for six successful seasons, ending in 1974.

This navy blue baseball hat was gifted to the cast and crew during the series’ run. The patchwork font of Here’s Lucy adorns the front along with an embroidered replication of the Lucille Ball Productions logo and caricature of Lucy by artist Al Hirschfeld. Very few of these exist today as they were not made for the general public.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Lucite LCD Clock

Lucille Ball was known for gifting clocks to those close her, often with a note that said “I’ll always have time for you.” She and husband Gary Morton gave this small quartz table clock on one such occasion. Made of lucite, it is etched with LOVE, LUCY & GARY under the LCD display.

Life With Lucy Prototype Members Only Jacket

Lucille Ball and company began a new weekly series on ABC in the Fall of 1986 called “Life With Lucy.” Her return to TV in a sitcom was well publicized and highly anticipated with fans getting to see another version of the “Lucy” character they all love.

This black satin members only jacket is believed to be a prototype, the only one created, as a possible gift to cast and crew. Featuring the Al Hirschfeld caricature and her signature ‘Love Lucy’ embroidered in hot pink and light blue on the chest, this jacket was given to Lucille’s cheauffeur and majordomo, Frank Gorey. Frank wore it to appearances at Lucy Conventions in the late 1990’s.

Lucille Ball’s Wool & Silver Fox Fur Coat

Lucille Ball once said, “I love furs. I actually like them more than jewelry.” This black wool coat trimmed in silver fox fur was one of her favorites. For their one year anniversary Lucy and Gary decided to head East to New York City and celebrate where they first met. During the Thanksgiving holiday hiatus, Lucy and Vivian Vance flew into Idlewild Airport to meet their husbands on November 15, 1962 where Lucy was photographed wearing the coat.

An image of Lucy and Viv taken on this trip inspired famed characture artist Al Hirschfeld to capture the dynamic dou which he rendered into the well-known sketch of Lucille holding her purse and cigarette. This artwork would be used over the years for such things as the 1984 Museum of Broadcasting event honoring Lucy as the First Lady of Comedy.

Lucy Carmichael would wear the coat as part of a disguise on the March 22, 1965 episode of The Lucy Show entitled, “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor.” It is most likely around this time Lucille gifted the coat to close friend and actress Carole Cook who often guest starred in the series and lent her voice as ‘Lady Cynthia’ for this particular episode. Carole would wear and retain the coat for over the next 50 years.

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.

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.

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.

Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Lucite Container

Lucille Ball and Gary Morton gave this large acyrlic storage container to close friends and associates as a Christmas gift. It has three compartments and features a hinged lid that is etched with LOVE, LUCY & GARY. Some say each section held different types of candy or sweets for the holiday season. Once consumed it made a great case to store desk items or anything that needed a little organization.