All posts by Patricia

Lucy and Desi’s Spice Rack

lucy-desi-griffith-spice-rack
Griffith Spice Rack in Desi and Lucy’s kitchen at home
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Lucy’s Griffith spice rack – milk glass in a metal rack, could be red caps and red metal rack.

In this publicity shot of Lucy and Desi Arnaz at home in the kitchen there is a 12 piece Griffith spice set in a metal rack.
griffith-spice-rack
I see a similar Griffith spice set on eBay this week There are several sets of vintage Griffith spice sets on eBay at present but not many in the metal rack.  The racks are also found in other materials. These are very collectible milk glass spice sets that can be found in very good condition. They were made and distributed by Griffith Laboratories Inc., Chicago, Illinois, from the 1930’s – 1950’s. Click here to see similar Griffith spice racks on eBay.

Lucy’s Pyrex Mixing Bowls

Lucy's Pyrex colored nesting bowls
Lucy’s Pyrex colored nesting bowls

Lucy’s Pyrex Mixing Bowls were a nesting set in bright colors which we only see in grayscale on the show, but we can see the original colors in the original vintage sets that are still available for collectors. See this set on eBay today:

Vintage set of 4 Pyrex nesting bowls on eBay
Vintage set of 4 Pyrex nesting bowls on eBay

Find more like this on eBay
Vintage borosilicate  Pryex dishes made by Corning are more heat resistant and shatter proof than present day products bearing the Pyrex label which are made from inferior glass.  However they have to be more than 25 years old to be sure they are indeed Corning dishes. (Read more at http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/pyrex.asp)

Original 1952 Pyrex ad
Original 1952 Pyrex ad
Lucy and Desi at home in the kitchen - see similar bowl  on the left.
Lucy and Desi at home in the kitchen – see similar bowl on the left.

Tip for Collectors:
Do not put your vintage Pyrex in the dishwasher.
FAQ for Pyrex collectors at:  http://www.pyrexlove.com/faq/

Lucy’s Westinghouse Commander Super-Corox Range

Kitchen Range on I Love Lucy
A 1950 Westinghouse Kitchen Range seen on I Love Lucy

Here we are looking at two different models of the Westinghouse Commander Range seen on the show.

1954 Westinghouse Commander Stove also seen on I Love Lucy
1954 Westinghouse Commander Stove was seen on a later season of I Love Lucy

A 1954 Westinghouse Commander Stove Model was seen on a later season of I Love Lucy, it looks similar to the 1950 model but the controls have a different layout.

1954 Westinghouse  Commander Range offered on eBay
1954 Westinghouse Commander Range offered on eBay

There is a working 1954 Westinghouse Commander Stove Model BD-74 offered on eBay this week like the model that was seen in a later season of I Love Lucy. Click HERE to see details.
Continue reading Lucy’s Westinghouse Commander Super-Corox Range

Ricardo’s Bookshelf: My Partner, Ben Hogan

1954 book: My Partner, Ben Hogan I Love lucy episode "The Gold Game"
1954 book: My Partner, Ben Hogan I Love lucy episode “The Golf Game”
MY PARTNER BEN HOGAN by Jimmy Demaret1954
My Partner Ben Hogan
Ricky and Fred refer to the book My Partner Ben Hogan in “The Golf Game”

My Partner, Ben Hogan by Jimmy Demaret who was a three time Masters winner and friend of Ben Hogan, “to the degree anyone can, tries to give insight into the man”. “The inside story of professional golf and its greatest player”. Seen above on the mantelpiece in the I Love Lucy episode “The Golf Game”, this is now a scarce book. Author Jimmy Demaret made a guest appearance on the same show.

Jimmy Demaret and Ben Hogan on the  back dust cover
Jimmy Demaret and Ben Hogan on the back dust cover
 Jimmy Demaret 2nd from the  left.on the I Love Lucy show
Guest appearance by Jimmy Demaret, 2nd from the left,.on the I Love Lucy show

Ricardo’s Holiday Decor Santa Sleigh and Reindeers

Santa Sleigh on the Mantel at Lucy and Ricky's apartment
Santa Sleigh on the Mantel at Lucy and Ricky’s apartment

The Mantelpiece at the Ricardo first apartment for a holiday episode presents a very simple display with a retro appeal that is both charming and easy to emulate today.
Its never too early to look for choice vintage pieces such as a genuine vintage cutout sleigh like this one.

Mid century Santa sleigh on base see on eBay
Mid century Santa sleigh on base see on eBay

Here is a Vintage Putz Santa Claus in Sleigh with Reindeer for the mantelpiece. Spot-Lite brand, made in Japan in original box. 10-1/4” x 3” x 2-3/4” high. See it on eBay this week

Lucy’s Kitchen Wall Matchbox holder

Matchbox holder on wall in Lucy's kitchen
Matchbox holder on wall in Lucy’s kitchen

matchboxholder0
No longer a commonplace item in the home, the matchbox holder was found in most homes in days gone by when matches were in constant use to light lamps, stoves and fires. Seen here in the kitchen, the wall mounted holder, usually of metal or wood, kept the matches dry and  safely away from tiny hands.matchboxholde1r
Lucy’s matchbox holder is painted tin, in a design that can still be found by collectors, the floral nasturtium decal has a gingham check lower border.

I see a red version on Etsy this week Click Here for Details< Etsy (US)

Look for similar items on eBay

Tip: Vintage tin often has rust spots, use raw potato dipped in baking soda to gently clean rust spots, dry completely, a hairdryer on low heat is useful, then apply some oil to any bare spots where paint is missing to prevent more rust.

Ricardo’s Bookshelf: On Your Guard ! by Warren

books on i love lucyBooks on the ricardo’s Bedroom Shelf: On Your Guard ! by Warren

cover
On Your Guard ! by Carl Nelson Warren

On your guard ! The prevention and treatment of sex dis-
eases, by Carl Warren, advised and assisted by eminent specializing physicians ;
foreword by M. J. Exner . . .
frontispiece and illustrations by C. D. Batchelor. New York, Emerson books, inc., 1937 Pre war study of Venerial diseases and Contraception.  Bookseller Inventory # 003004

This pre-war book was written before the widespread use of Penicillin which occurred during WW2.
See it at Amazon

http://www.abebooks.com/Guard-Carl-Warren-1937-Emerson-New/1072889458/bd

http://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Warren-Carl/title/On-Your-Guard-the-Prevention
ref:
http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Citation/1937/08000/ON_YOUR_GUARD___THE_PREVENTION_AND_TREATMENT_OF.41.aspx