Screen grab from “Ricky and Fred are TV Fans”, Series 2, 6.22.53 Image Colorized by RicksterTV Guide May 29-June 4 1953
In the I Love Lucy episode “Ricky and Fred are TV Fans“, Series 2, dated June 22, 1953, Ricky Ricardo has set his Westclox Baby Ben alarm clock so as not to miss a sports program on TV. Here we get another look at the Westclox Baby Ben Alarm clock we saw in the previous post this time it is on the Mersman coffee table next to the Zippo table lighter. Ricky is checking the TV guide of May 29,1953 with Queen Elizabeth II on the cover “How You’ll See Elizabeth Crowned, Bishop Sheen’s Rugged ‘Angels’ Week of May 29 to June 4”
Baby Ben Clock seen on the I Love Lucy coffee table
Westclox Baby Ben Alarm Clock on the I Love Lucy Bedroom set
The Westclox Baby Ben alarm clock can be seen in several episodes of I Love Lucy. In the above picture it is on the far right of the bedroom shelf. The Baby Ben was produced from February 1949 until it was discontinued 1956 – the initial price was $6.50. It was approx 3.5 inches tall and came in an ivory color finish with either a brown or white dial. The one on the show had a brown dial. There was a similar larger 5.5″ model called Big Ben, however we can tell the one on the show is the smaller Baby Ben model by comparing the height of the clock to the height of the figurines. The height of the seated man and woman figurines ( As seen on eBay HERE) in the center of the shelf is known to be around 4.5 inches tall and those appear to be taller than the clock in the above picture.
Westclox Baby Ben with brown dial, click image to see it on eBay
This publicity shot from a 1940’s magazine article shows Lucy receiving her Ansonia Royal Bonn clock.Antique Original Ansonia Royal Bonn “Rainbow” ModelLucy’s Ansonia Royal Bonn clock on the mantelpiece at her home.
In the previous post we looked at the Bohemian Glass pieces at each end of Lucille Ball’s Mantel. Pride of place in the center went to her antique Ansonia Royal Bonn porcelain clock. I found a picture of the similar clock on google image search and the color is green with floral motif which would co-ordinate with green and white bohemian pieces on the mantel.
An auction house (details and pictures here) gives this description for the Ansonia Rainbow model: Lot 54: Ansonia Clock Co., C.1905, standard line “RAINBOW”Session 1: Saturday Evening, May 15th 2010 at 5pm by R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts, LLC
“Description: Ansonia Clock Co., C.1905, standard line “RAINBOW” porcelain china cased clock, with 8-day, gong strike movement with open escapement on porcelain dial, in a medium green case, with multi color floral transfers to the front and sides.” Reference: Ly’s Ansonia book, page 602, fig 2564; price guide = $850 for year 2004. Height 11.25″
The “Rainbow” was produced from 1901 – 1915 in different colors such as green, violet, pink and blue. A similar clock in blue tones was sold on eBay recently- see details here.
Above we see a publicity picture of Lucille Ball at home in front of her fireplace, possibly at the Chatsworth ranch home.
At the ends of the mantel are a pair of bohemian glass pieces in the typical style seen on vases and mantel lusters. Crystal glass is coated usually with a white enamel and then a pattern is cut through to show the characteristic green or red glass underneath. Lucy’s pair look like vases, or mantel lusters without any hanging crystals. Here is an example of pieces in a similar style seen on eBay currently
Lucy sweeps the carpet in her fur coat in this publicity photo from the set of I Love Lucy.
Her carpet sweeper looks quite like the green Bissell Flight sweeper in the vintage ad below from WOMAN’S HOME COMPANION, Dec 1952 See vintage Bissell Sweepers on eBay
Accent Shaker Set on the Range in the I Love Lucy kitchen
Seen on eBay this week is a vintage Accent third shaker set in original box with leaflet and the plastic rack just like the one we see in Lucy Ricardo’s Kitchen on top of the range. I have seen these before but never with the original leaflet in the box.This is a three shaker set of salt, pepper and Accent Flavor Enhancer. The shakers are large around 4 inches high which made them easy to identify on the set. Click here to see the Accent shaker set on eBay.
1953 Women’s Day Accent Flavor Enhancer Ad
These sets are not made anymore but if you have a vintage set you can buy Accent seasoning on Amazon to put in the Accent third shaker.
Lucille Ball used Accent seasoning in her cooking. In her Goulash Recipe she writes “Salt and Pepper to taste, add Accent“. Home cooks at the time knew what she meant even though the ingredient list did not mention it. Accent Flavor Enhancer contains MSG which is now considered safe to consume in normal amounts, it is widely used in Chinese cooking and many commercial foods including popular brands such as Campbell’s Soups, Doritos and KFC.
Related post: http://www.50slucy.com/lucys-accent-shaker-set.html
On eBay this week are a couple of cruet sets complete with original funnel, similar to the set in the Ricardo’s kitchen on I love lucy. Lucy’s set had an ivy pattern but these are from the same era and are a good substitute. Click on the pictures to see the eBay listings.
On eBay this week are mantel lusters similar to the I Love Lucy lustres that are usually seen on top of the piano.
These are the same shape but painted differently. The seller has listed the two lustres separately:
In the I Love Lucy episode, “Lucy Hires An English Tutor” (Season 2, 12/29/52) Lucy decides she only wants the best English for her baby. When she gives Ricky a book to read aloud, he butchers several words with the “ough” sound.
In this hilarious scene, the writers make fun of Ricky’s English with the words bough, rough, through and cough.
In real life, Desi Arnaz completed high school in Florida and was bilingual, speaking and reading both English and Spanish fluently.
