The first thing to do is try eBay or another online auction house and do a search for "Lucille Ball," or "Lucille Ball Personal" and wade through the items that come up. Lately on eBay I've seen items like jewelry that Vivian vance wore, or clothing that Lucy wore up for sale. These items generally come with a certificate of authenticity, so you can rest assured you're getting the real thing. The next best source is a real-life auction. After Lucy died, for example, furnishings from her New York apartment went up for auction at a local house that happened to be down the block from where I live. I'd never been to such an auction, but figured I'd go and at least I could look at some of Lucy's stuff, if not pick anything up. The room was filled with people milling around and checking suggested prices on the tags for all the items being auctioned off, everything from an art deco gilt and ebonized bronze sculpture of a semi-nude female (which was estimated at $200-$300 and went for $350); to an Italian style upholstered loveseat (estimated at $600-$800 and sold for $125!) to an Oriental style ice bucket (estimated at $50-$80, which I picked up for $150). Yes, that's my ice bucket pictured at the top of the page, formerly Lucy's, and I must say it has always appeared to me to be more of a Mexican design than Oriental, but it's big, it's heavy, it's metal, it's fabulous, and it once was Lucy's. (By the way, the apartment the items came from was designed by Lucy's pal Paula Stewart, who had co-starred with her in 1960 on Broadway in Wildcat.) Other types of auctions to look for include Hollywood memorabilia sales, for costumes, props, and such, and don't rule out a nice big flea market, especially in Los Angeles, an antique show or marketplace, or even a garage sale. You just never know when your favorite star will have previously handled or owned the next item you pick up.
Scanning the Internet for Lucy news since 1996
Getting Personal There are those fans for whom nothing less will do than owning an item that a star actually wore, or purchased, or had in their home. And fortunately for those fans, there are ways to acquire those items … legal ways, of course!
Ask the Lucy Collector!
Magazines » Books » Dolls » Comics » Trading Cards
Music » Toys & Games » Foreign Shores » DVDs » Movies » Miscellaneous
Text and photos are owned by their respective copyright holders and may not be reproduced without permission.
© 2008 Sitcomboy.com. All Rights Reserved.