Category Archives: I love Lucy Props

I love Lucy Props, Original Props, Original Wardrobe

Regarding Original Props and COA’s

The focus of this blog in on items that are similar to,  or match screen used items on I Love Lucy and not on original props. If you are looking for original props with COA I recommend reading the following article before making a decision to purchase:

http://www.originalprop.com/blog/2013/04/20/revisiting-ellis-props-graphics-certificates-of-authenticity-coas-assigned-to-tv-and-movie-props-set-pieces-costumes-circulating-in-the-marketplace/

Ethel Mertz, I love Lucy Props, Kodak Camera, Lucy Desi Comedy Hour

Ethel’s Kodak Box Camera


Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz sporting her Kodak Duaflex IV

In the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour, season 1, episode 5 “Lucy Goes To Sun Valley”, Ethel can be seen with a box camera in various parts of the episode. thanks to contributor Jamie, we have the ID of her camera: It is a Kodak Duaflex IV, which was manufactured from 1955 to 1960, as seen the following screenshots from the episode.

Kodak Duaflex IV

Kodak ad LIFE – Dec 2, 1957 – Page 100

I see several models on Etsy this week Click Here to view a current selection on Etsy
Following is a selection from eBay.com :

[phpbay keywords=”Kodak Duaflex IV” num=”8″ siteid=”1″ category=”625″ sortorder=”PricePlusShippingHighest” templatename=”columns” columns=”2″ itemsperpage=”10″ paging=”true”]

I love Lucy Props, Paper Mate, Papermate

Lucy Loves her Paper Mate Pen


Many thanks to Jamie for the following research on the Paper Mate pen prop seen on I Love Lucy. Says Jamie: “Lucy and Ricky as seen using a pen with a shiny top end and black lower end. I have identified this is a Paper Mate Deluxe pen, which came out in 1951 and pretty much revolutionized the ballpoint pen world. There is a great history page here: http://penshotsandthoughts.blogspot.com/2015/06/early-history-of-paper-mate-part-2.html
You can see on that page that it was even advertised by George Burns, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Gracie Allen!”
They are difficult to come by on ebay with the gold top, but there is one offered on eBay this week:

Vintage Early Model Paper Mate Ballpoint Pen – Black and Gold – Click here to see it on eBay

Following are various captures showing the pen in use on the show.





Zsa Zsa Gabor Ad for Paper Mate Pen seen on Etsy

50s Retro, I love Lucy Props

Lucy Ricardo’s Telephone Index

s6 e18 – Lucy Gets Chummy With The Neighbors

In I Love Lucy Series 6, episode  18, “Lucy Gets Chummy With The Neighbors” we see Lucy’s handy flip up telephone index. In the pre-digital era  this type of mechanical index could be found on office desks and in the home next to the telephone. A closer look at the detail  makes it easier to identify thanks to a Jamie who has indeed located one just like it on eBay. It is a  List Finder / Telephone Number Organiser marked “Made in USA” on the back but no brand name is seen.  Says Jamie ” I know these were initially made by a company called “Bates” and called the “List Finder” back in the mid 30s and continued all the way into the 60s. There was also another company that made a different style called the Zephyr Autodex.
The particular one from this episode doesn’t appear to be made by either, but I did find one of the episodes style on ebay. The only markings on it are “made in USA”. , but it definitely is the one!”

More details and pictures on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/401124154834

Thanks again to Jamie for a great find!

I love Lucy Props, Sound Scriber, Vintage Electrical Appliances

Sound Scriber recording device on I Love Lucy


A Sound Scriber dictaphone makes an appearance on In the I Love Lucy 1951 episode S04E05 “Mr. And Mrs. Tv Show”.

SoundScriber is a dictation machine introduced in 1945 by The SoundScriber Corp. of New Haven. It records sound with a groove embossed into soft vinyl discs with a stylus.

1954 ad for the Sound Scriber

Rare Sound Scriber seen on eBay recently
See it on eBay

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundScriber

 

I love Lucy Props, Radio, Vintage Electrical Appliances, Westinghouse

Ricky and Lucy’s Bedroom Clock Radio

Westinghouse Clock Radio in the bedroom on I Love Lucy

In a previous post we looked at the bedside clock radio on I Love Lucy. This week I see a similar one on eBay as pictured below:

Vintsge Westinghouse Clock Radio. Click picture to see it on eBay


Reference:

I love Lucy Props

I Love Lucy Mantel Lustres

Have a look at these Mantle lusters. They are a good match the pair on I Love lucy. See the listing on eBay for more pictures

The lustres above are painted exactly like the pair on the show.
For a less expensive alternative the following pair of mantel lustres are still a good match but painted differently:
See them on eBay currently at a more affordable price
Also a second pair here : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vtg-Porcelain-Floral-Lustres/202112452172