Category Archives: Mid-century

The Mertzes’ Kitchen : Ethel’s Rooster Plates

Ethel Mertz in her kitchen with rooster plates on the shelf

In the I Love Lucy episode Never Do Business with Friends, S2, #67 6/29/53, we get a rare opportunity to see the Mertzes’ kitchen. Apparently the set of the Ricardo’s kitchen could be used, with some modifications, as the Mertz kitchen.  In the screen capture above there are kitchen cabinets under the window, where Lucy had a stove and to the right are shelves similar to those in Lucy’s kitchen. On an upper shelf are some Brock of California, Chanticleer pattern plates and on the shelf below there appears to be a matching Brock bowl. Below that on the counter top sits an Accent shaker set as seen in Lucy’s kitchen usually positioned on top of the stove.

Brock of California Chanticleer Plate seen on eBay

(Thanks to Rickster for spotting the plates!).

Profiles in History, December 11th auction lists original Art print from the set of I Love Lucy

 

Profiles in History auction of an original Frank Serratoni Framed print from the set of I Love Lucy

Profiles in History auction catalog for their December 11th Hollywood Auction 96 lists an original wall art from I Love Lucy. Fans of the show will recognize the landscape that appears on the back wall of the Ricardo’s living room (it replaced the Utrillo print when Lucy got her new furniture). It is a lithograph print by Frank Serratoni. The illustration above is taken from the auction catalog.

More details at the auction site:
https://profilesinhistory.com/auctions/hollywood-auction-96/

I Love Lucy Small Carriage Prints

In the screen capture above from the charm school spisode of I Love Lucy we notice two small framed prints high up over the mantel. These automotive prints of early carriages are examples of framed prints that were sold in sets in the mid century era.  Examples of these are often seen on eBay.  Below is a closer look at the details as seen on the show.

Seen on the Left above the mantel
Seen on the Right above the mantel
Also seen on the back wall below the Utrillo print

The same two pictures along with a matching third print were also seen below the Maurice Utrillo picture on the back wall in other episodes.

Third matching print

Ref: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-3-Vtg-ANTIQUE-HORSE-CARRIAGES-Round-Wooden-Framed-Lithograph-Prints-Art-/232143635872

Feud, Bette and Joan: Oriental Figural Lamp


While watching an episode of Feud: Bette and Joan an Oriental Figural lamp in Miss Crawford’s bedroom caught my eye. Where had I seen one before?

In the LA episodes of I Love Lucy we can spot a similar lamp in their LA apartment.

I can just imagine an episode where Lucy brings back this “souvenir” from the movie star’s home.

More details of the lamp in previous post : http://www.50slucy.com/la-at-last-table-lamp.html

Mantel Lusters on eBay currently

lustres
Seen on eBay this week a pair of vintage Charleton mantel lusters similar to those seen on the piano on I Love Lucy –  the shape and make is the same  but the painting style and prisms are  not an exact match however the design is similar.charlton-mantel-lustres-lucy
More details on eBay at http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-I-LOVE-LUCY-SHOW-ANTIQUE-MANTLE-LUSTERS-LUSTRES-CANDLE-LAMPS-SPEAR-PRISMS-/391474858951