I Love Lucy Collectibles & I Love Lucy Memorabilia

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lucille ball postersLucille Désirée Ball was born on August 6, 1911 and went on to becomes one of America’s most beloved personalities. She was multi-talented being a comedienne, a film & television actress, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive. She appeared in some of the most popula series of shows ever including I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy and Life With Lucy.

One of the most popular and influential stars in the United States during her lifetime, with one of Hollywood’s longest careers, especially on television, Ball began acting in the 1930s, becoming both a radio actress and B-movie star in the 1940s, and then a television star during the 1950s. She was still making films in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1962, Ball became the first woman to run a major television studio, Desilu; a studio that produced many successful and popular television series.

Pictured right: LUCILLE BALL POSTERS A large lot of posters from Lucille Balls films including: a complete set of lobby cards from “Annabel Takes a Tour” (1938, RKO), 5 lobby cards from “Beauty for the Asking” (1939, RKO), 2 B/W stills from “Best Foot Forward” (1943, MGM), a complete set of lobby cards, 8 B/W stills and 1 one-sheet from “Easy Living” (1949, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards and 1 one-sheet from “Go Chase Yourself” (1938, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards, 5 B/W stills and 1 one-sheet from “Lover Come Back” (1946, Universal), a complete set of lobby cards, 24 B/W stills and 1 one-sheet from “Look Who’s Laughing” (1941, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards, 1 half-sheet (folded) and 1 one-sheet from “Next Time I Marry” (1938, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards and 1 one-sheet from “Personal Column” (1947, UA), a complete set of lobby cards and 1 one-sheet from “Seven Days Leave” (1942, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards from “That’s Right, You’re Wrong” (1939, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards and 1 one-sheet from “The Marines Fly High” (1940, RKO), a complete set of lobby cards from “Too Many Girls” (1940, RKO) and a complete set of lobby cards and 1 one-sheet from “You Can’t Fool Your Wife” (1940, RKO). Sold for $3,107 at Christies, New York, 2003. Image Copyright Christies.

Ball was nominated for an Emmy Award thirteen times, and won four times. In 1977 Ball was among the first recipients of the Women in Film Crystal Award. She was the recipient of the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1979, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1989.

cindy sherman lucille ballPictured left: CINDY SHERMAN (B. 1954) Lucille Ball, 1975 chromogenic print, printed later signed and dated in pen (on the verso) 10¼ x 8¼ in. (26 x 21 cm.). Sold for $6,875 at Christies, New York, 2011.  Image Copyright Christies.

In 1929, Ball landed work as a model and later began her performing career on Broadway using the stage name Diane Belmont. She appeared in many small movie roles in the 1930s as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures. Ball was labeled as the “Queen of the Bs” (referring to her many roles in B-films). In 1951, Ball was pivotal in the creation of the television series I Love Lucy. The show co-starred her then-husband, Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo, Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz and William Frawley as Fred Mertz. The Mertzs were the Ricardos’ landlords and friends.

lucille ball documentsPictured right: Lucille Ball documents including  4 Autograph Letters Signed (“Lucy” and “Lucille Ball”), 9 pp, 4to and 8vo, n.p., n.d., to Eddie Mannix, George Cukor, and Desi Arnaz, on personal stationery, light toning. The note to Arnaz reads: “Fifteen years! Just a drop in the bucket! / Love you / Lucy.” Present is its original autograph envelope reading Forever Darling, the name of the movie Lucy and Desi starred in in 1956, during their 15th year of marriage. Other typed letters and photographs. Sold for $2,440 at Bonhams, 2011. Image Copyright Bonhams.

The show ended in 1957 after 180 episodes. Then, some minor adjustments were made to the program’s format – the time of the show was lengthened from 30 minutes to 60 minutes (the first show lasted 75 mins), some new characters were added, the storyline was altered, and the show was renamed The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, which ran for three seasons (1957–1960) and 13 episodes. Ball went on to star in two more successful television series: The Lucy Show, which ran on CBS from 1962 to 1968 (156 Episodes), and Here’s Lucy from 1968 to 1974 (144 episodes). Her last attempt at a television series was a 1986 show called Life with Lucy – which failed after 8 episodes aired, although 13 were produced.

Ball met and eloped with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940. On July 17, 1951, at almost 40 years old, Ball gave birth to their first child, Lucie Désirée Arnaz. A year and a half later, Ball gave birth to their second child, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV, known as Desi Arnaz, Jr. Ball and Arnaz divorced on May 4, 1960.

heres lucy dressPictured left: HERE’S LUCY, 1968-1974  Lucille Carter’s exquisite full-length black formal gown covered with large dangling rhinestones, intricately ornate black beading and black diamond shaped celluloid ornamentation as worn by comedian Lucille Ball on an episode of Here’s Lucy. Acquired from daughter Lucie Arnaz. Accompanied by a glamourous color photograph of Lucille Ball largely autographed, “Love, Lucy”.-8 x 10 in. Sold for $2,115 at Christies Century of Hollywood Sale, New York, 2000. Image Copyright Christies.

On April 26, 1989, Ball died of a dissecting aortic aneurysm at age 77. At the time of her death she was married to her second husband and business partner, standup comedian Gary Morton for more than twenty-seven years. Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American comedienne, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy and Life With Lucy. One of the most popular and influential stars in the United States during her lifetime, with one of Hollywood’s longest careers, especially on television, Ball began acting in the 1930s, becoming both a radio actress and B-movie star in the 1940s, and then a television star during the 1950s. She was still making films in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1962, Ball became the first woman to run a major television studio, Desilu; a studio that produced many successful and popular television series.

Lucy & Ricky 50th Anniversary Giftset BarbieI Love Lucy Dolls

I Love Lucy has always been a popular subject for doll companies and over the madame alexander fao schwarzyears leading collectible doll manufacturers including Madame Alexander and Barbie have produced I love Lucy dolls and sets.

Barbie have produced I Love Lucy dolls from specific episodes and series for a number of years. Pictured left is the Barbie Lucy and Ricky 50th Anniversary Giftset made in 2001 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the I Love Lucy Show. Other classic Barbie dolls include Lucy Tells the Truth, Lucy’s Italian Movie, The Audition, and The Operetta.

Madame Alexander have also been fans of I Love Lucy and have produced many representations over the year with a recent I Love Lucy FAO Schwarz exclusive set pictured right. Like Barbie, Madame Alexander have produced a doll of Lucy’s Italian Movie. Other include Lucy Gets in Pictures, Rhumba Carmen Miranda, and Shadow Polka Dot.

There are normally around 1000 I Love Lucy dolls on ebay at any one time – click to view>// I Love Lucy Dolls at auction‘); // ]]>

Ball was nominated for an Emmy Award thirteen times, and won four times. In 1977 Ball was among the first recipients of the Women in Film Crystal Award. She was the recipient of the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1979, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1989.

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In 1929, Ball landed work as a model and later began her performing career on Broadway using the stage name Diane Belmont. She appeared in many small movie roles in the 1930s as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures. Ball was labeled as the “Queen of the Bs” (referring to her many roles in B-films). In 1951, Ball was pivotal in the creation of the television series I Love Lucy. The show co-starred her then-husband, Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo, Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz and William Frawley as Fred Mertz. The Mertzs were the Ricardos’ landlords and friends. The show ended in 1957 after 180 episodes. Then, some minor adjustments were made to the program’s format – the time of the show was lengthened from 30 minutes to 60 minutes (the first show lasted 75 mins), some new characters were added, the storyline was altered, and the show was renamed The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, which ran for three seasons (1957–1960) and 13 episodes. Ball went on to star in two more successful television series: The Lucy Show, which ran on CBS from 1962 to 1968 (156 Episodes), and Here’s Lucy from 1968 to 1974 (144 episodes). Her last attempt at a television series was a 1986 show called Life with Lucy – which failed after 8 episodes aired, although 13 were produced.

lucy desi signed photographPictured left: A Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz signed color photograph, 1970s A reprinted image showing the couple in the 1950s with their black felt-tip ink signatures penned on the lower margin reading “Love, / Lucy” and “Desi.” 10 x 8in. Sold for $480 at Bonhams, 2007. Image Copyright Bonhams.

Ball met and eloped with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940. On July 17, 1951, at almost 40 years old, Ball gave birth to their first child, Lucie Désirée Arnaz. A year and a half later, Ball gave birth to their second child, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV, known as Desi Arnaz, Jr. Ball and Arnaz divorced on May 4, 1960.

On April 26, 1989, Lucille Ball died at age 77 and at the time of her death she was married to her second husband and business partner, standup comedian Gary Morton for more than twenty-seven years.

 


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