Jamestown – The Lucy Room

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.

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, CBS, Film, Fred Williams, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Makeup, MAME, Movie, Personal, TelevisionTags: 1970s, 1980s, Artist, Autograph, Birthday, Film, Fred Williams, Friendship, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Makeup, MAME, Movie, New York, Note, Painter, Personal, Signed, Stationary, TV 2 Comments

Finger Cots Worn by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy “The Audition” Episode

“The Audition” was filmed on October 12, 1951, a mere three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy. This was the sixth episode of the show 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.

This act was initially conceived by the Arnazes along with Pepito & Joanne Perez as part of a vaudeville style act Lucy and Desi used, touring the country proving to CBS audiences across America would accept them. They also used the skit for the I Love Lucy pilot.

Part of Lucy’s costume were these cotton finger cots. Each used to cover the fingers of her left hand as she takes them off in dramatic fashion to the beat of the drum. The entire costume was originally on display at Universal Studios Hollywood ‘Lucy A Tribute’ exhibit for over 20 years. The rest of the outfit is now displayed alongside the prop cello in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY at the Lucy-Desi Museum.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, Television, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Cello, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Lucy Ricardo, Pilot, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Screen Used, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Universal Studios, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Vivian Vance’s “The Voice of the Turtle” Program from La Jolla Playhouse

In July of 1951 Vivian Vance was performing at the La Jolla Playhouse in the production of “The Voice of the Turtle.” This would be the stage where Desi Arnaz and Jess Oppenheimer watched their soon to be ‘Ethel Mertz’ portray Olive Lashbrooke in the Saturday, July 28th matinee.

The program shown here is the original copy Vivian Vance kept for her archives. Viv’s sister Lou Ann Graham inherited all of her programs from her years of stage performances. These were sold to the public in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, NY during one of the annual festivals.

December 18, 2024January 9, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Broadway, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Jess Oppenheimer, Lucille Ball, Personal, Program, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Vivian VanceTags: Broadway, California, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Jess Oppenheimer, La Jolla, La Jolla Playhouse, Lucille Ball, Personal, Play, Program, Theater, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Vivian Vance’s Caftan Blouse by Don Loper

This colorful silk caftan-style blouse was owned and worn by Vivian Vance. Designed by Don Loper it features a floral painted-like pattern, 3/4 length kimono sleeves, side seam slits and a boat neckline. Viv gave the blouse to her little sister Lou Ann Graham who kept it for many years before consigning the piece for an auction held in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York in the mid 2000’s.

October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Personal, Television, Vivian VanceTags: Bouse, Caftan, Don Loper, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, KImono, Lucille Ball, Personal, Silk, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Birthday Letter to Marion Van Vlack

Lucille Ball sent this letter to her childhood friend from Jamestown, Marion Van Vlack on what would be Lucy’s 59th birthday in 1970. The typed, signed letter on Lucy’s personal blue stationery reads in part:

“Thank you for remembering my birthday, and I’m glad you and yours are all shipshape.” “Will be calling Jamestown for some Swedish rye bread and some Swede Sill in the near future… – Lucy”

Lucille would often call The Jones Bakery in her hometown to have her favorite bread and pastries shipped out West. She and Marion would communicate over the years via many letters keeping their special bond forever cemented.

August 1, 2024October 9, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, Handwritten, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Marion Van Vlack, PersonalTags: 1970, Birthday, Friendship, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Marion Van Vlack, New York, Note, Personal, Signed, Stationary Leave a comment

Forever Darling Jamestown Premiere Poster & Newspaper

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz traveled across the country in early 1956 to promote their second film for MGM, “Forever Darling.” The premiere was held on February 6th at the Palace Theater in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. Both Desi and Lucy were awe struck by the amount of love and support the people of Jamestown showed them during their whirlwind two-day visit.

Shown here is an original poster which most likely hung in many stores and businesses throught the city along with a February 7, 1956 second edition of the Jamestown Post-Journal. The Arnaz’s covered the headlines with photos and articles throughout the paper documenting their journey.

February 7, 2024February 7, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Forever Darling, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Movie, PersonalTags: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, February, Film, Forever Darling, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Movie, Newspaper, Personal, Poster, Premiere Leave a comment

Vivian Vance’s Large Embroidered Shawl

Vivian Vance owned and wore this oversized, off-white silk shawl. It features an ornate floral pattern embroidered in a champagne color with very long tassels around the hem for added drama. Viv gave the wrap to her little sister Lou Ann Graham who kept it for many years before consigning the piece for an auction held in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York in the mid 2000’s.

November 29, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Personal, Television, Vivian VanceTags: I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shawl Leave a comment