Desi Arnaz Sr. Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
DESI ARNAZ SR.
Born: March 2, 1917 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Died: December 2, 1986 in Del Mar, California
Died: December 2, 1986 in Del Mar, California
Biography
Former Cuban bandleader Arnaz (1917-1986) is best remembered as Ricky Ricardo in the TV sitcom I Love Lucy (1951-1957), which retains its popularity in syndication to this day. In 1950, he and screen and real life wife Lucille Ball formed Desilu Productions, which eventually produced many television series.
1961-1962 The Untouchables (Producer), 1958-1961 The Ann Sothern Show (Producer), I Love Lucy (Producer), 1956 Forever, Darling (Producer), 1978 Alice (Performer), 1962 Kraft Mystery Theater (Performer), 1959 Sunday Showcase (Performer), 1956 Forever, Darling (Performer), 1947 Jitterumba (Performer), 1942 Four Jacks and a Jill (Performer), 1962 Kraft Mystery Theater (Production), 1959 The Scarface Mob (Production), 1959 Sunday Showcase (Director), 2001 I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special (Sound), I Love Lucy (Sound), 1956 Forever, Darling (Sound), 1946 Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra (Sound), 1942 Four Jacks and a Jill (Sound), 1959 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (Writer), 1983 Late Night with David Letterman (in person), 1976 CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (in person), 1976 Saturday Night Live (in person), 1974 California My Way (in person), 1956 I've Got a Secret (in person), 1952-1956 What's My Line (in person), 1955 Our Miss Brooks (in person), 1946 Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra (in person), 2012 10 Things You Don't Know About (Other), 2008-2011 Pioneers of Television (Other), 2005 E! True Hollywood Story (Other), 2004 TV Land Moguls (Other), 1995-2004 American Masters (Other), 2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (Other), 2002 The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American (Other), 2001 I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special (Other), 1998 Junket Whore (Other), 1997 Judy Garland's Hollywood (Other), 1983 Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (Other), 1968 Land's End (Producer), 1966 The Carol Channing Show (Producer), 1962 The Lucy Show (Producer), 1955 Those Whiting Girls (Producer), 1954-1955 Willy (Producer), 1968 Land's End (Performer), 1953 The Long, Long Trailer (Performer), 1943 Bataan (Performer), 1940 Too Many Girls (Performer), 1958-1960 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (Production), 1968 Land's End (Director), 1966 The Carol Channing Show (Director), 1959-1960 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (Director), 2004 30 Days Until I'm Famous (Sound), 1940 Too Many Girls (Sound), 1968 Land's End (Writer), 1968 Land's End (Music Department), 1976 Donny and Marie (in person), 1976 Joys (in person), 1971-1976 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (in person), 1970-1973 The Merv Griffin Show (in person), 1971 The Andy Williams Show (in person), 1958-1960 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (in person), 1956 The Bob Hope Show (in person), 1952 Stars in the Eye (in person), 1946 Cuban Pete (in person), 2010 A Star Is Born: Special Features (Other), 2010 Frontline (Other), 2005 Great Performances (Other), 1997 Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (Other), 1995 Pioneers of Primetime (Other), 1987 Biography (Other), 1984 Roots of Rhythm (Other), 1958 The Ed Sullivan Show (Other), 1954 Screen Snapshots: Memories in Uniform (Other), 1967-1969 The Mothers-In-Law (Producer), 1960 New Comedy Showcase (Producer), 1957-1960 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (Producer), 1958 The Texan (Producer), 1958 The Fountain of Youth (Producer), 1956 I Love Lucy Christmas Show (Producer), 1953 I Love Lucy (Producer), 1982 The Escape Artist (Performer), 1974 Ironside (Performer), 1970 The Virginian (Performer), 1967-1968 The Mothers-In-Law (Performer), 1957-1960 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (Performer), 1959 Make Room for Daddy (Performer), 1956 I Love Lucy Christmas Show (Performer), 1953 I Love Lucy (Performer), 1949 Holiday in Havana (Performer), 1941 Father Takes a Wife (Performer), 1967-1968 The Mothers-In-Law (Director), 1958 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (Sound), 1953 I Love Lucy (Sound), 1949 Holiday in Havana (Sound), 1941 Father Takes a Wife (Sound), 1976 Salsa (in person), 1972 The 26th Annual Tony Awards (in person), 1970 The Kraft Music Hall (in person), 1968 The Joey Bishop Show (in person), 1957 The Jackie Gleason Show (in person), 1952 All Star Revue (in person), 1949 The Ed Wynn Show (in person), 1943 Screen Snapshots Series 23, No. 1: Hollywood in Uniform (in person), 1941 Meet the Stars #6: Stars at Play (in person), 2003 Lucy! TV's Comedy Queen (Other), 1996 Bob Hope: Hollywood's Brightest Star (Other), 1961 The Red Skelton Hour (Performer), 1959-1960 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (Performer), 1951-1957 I Love Lucy (Performer), 1942 The Navy Comes Through (Performer), 1958-1959 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (Production), 1972 The Hollywood Squares (in person), 1972 The David Frost Show (in person), 1970 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (in person), 1970 Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters (in person), 1954-1960 The Ed Sullivan Show (in person), 1956 December Bride (in person), 1956 MGM Parade (in person), 1954 A Star Is Born World Premiere (in person), 1941 Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 (in person), 2003 The Desilu Story (Other), 2001 The Nightclub Years (Other), 1999 ABC 2000: The Millennium (Other), 1995 Ed Sullivan All-Star Comedy Special (Other), 1993 Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie (Other), 1990 I Love Lucy: The Very First Show (Other)
Style
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz's signature on a piece of paper clipped from a document. Signature: "Desi Arnaz", 4x1¾ clipped from document. Above signature are printed text: "Very truly yours," and typed text: "Desi Arnaz Productions, Inc./By: [signature]. read more...Sale Price $126.00
$140.00
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DESI ARNAZ and BERT WHEELER Desi Arnaz and Bert Wheeler sign an album leaf. Signature: "Desi Arnaz", and on verso "To Lolita/Bert/Wheeler", 5½x4 album leaf. read more...Sale Price $234.00
$260.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz pens a handwritten note, adding "Gracias." Autograph Note signed: "To Marie Rose/Gracias/Desi Arnaz", 6¼x4 album leaf. Former Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz (1917-1986) is best remembered read more...Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
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DESI ARNAZ Black and white publicity photograph of a young Desi Arnaz wearing a black tuxedo. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Lorraine/Cubanly yours/Desi Arnaz". B/w, 8x10 overall, image 7½x8¾ (one surface). Publicity photograph, captioned at lower margin. read more...Sale Price $396.00
$440.00
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DESI ARNAZ Small black and white publicity photograph of Desi Arnaz speaking into a microphone. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Maddy-/Felicidades!/Desi Arnaz". B/w, 5½x8½. read more...Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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DESI ARNAZ Black and white publicity photograph of a young Desi Arnaz in the doorway of a plane smiling. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Irwin/Felicidad!Desi Arnaz". B/w, 8x10. read more...Sale Price $396.00
$440.00
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DESI ARNAZ $50 check signed by Arnaz in 1952 Check signed "Desi Arnaz" in blue ink. 7¾x2¾ with perforated top and left edge. July 28, 1952. Check no. 3340 for $50, made out to Andrew C. Hickox and drawn on Arnaz's account at the Hollywood office of California Bank in Hollywood, California. read more...Sale Price $252.00
$280.00
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LUCILLE BALL and DESI ARNAZ Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sign separate checks that have been matted together. Comprises: (1) Partly Printed Check signed: "Lucille Ball Arnaz", 8¼x3. Hollywood, California, 1955 February 21. read more...Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a commemorative envelope honoring the 50th Anniversary Year of Talking Pictures. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Desi Arnaz", 6½x3½. No stamp or postmark. Cachet honors 50th Anniversary Year of Talking Pictures. read more...Sale Price $198.00
$220.00
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DESI ARNAZ and MARTIN LEEDS Desi Arnaz and Martin Leeds sign a contract for Leeds becoming the Executive Vice President of Desilu Productions. Carbon Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 15p, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, 1957 May 1. Co-signed: "Martin N. Leeds" read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a contract with CBS Television for exclusive rights. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz" in ink, 3p, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, 1957 June 17. Desilu Productions and its co-owner, Desi Arnaz, grant exclusivity rights to CBS Television. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a document extending the terms of his services on the I Love Lucy show. Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 3p, 8½x11. Co-signed: "Edwin E. Holly" as Secty-Treas. No place, 1957 June 17. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz accepts the resignation of Martin Leeds as Trustee for Arnaz's Declaration of Trust. Carbon Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz". 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1960 September 22. Contract between Martin Leeds and Arnaz. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a contract with AFTRA for a Single Television Appearance between Barnaby Productions for his appearance as a Performer on The Andy Williams Show. Contract signed: "Desi Arnaz", 2p, 8½x11, front and verso. No place, 1970 October 1. read more...Sale Price $722.50
$850.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a document with Desilu Productions amending his exclusivity agreement. Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz". 3p, 8½x11. Co-signed: "Edwin E. Holly". No place, 1962 November 7. Contract between Desilu Productions and Arnaz amending his exclusivity agreement. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a document with RKO Teleradio Pictures, Inc. regarding leases and agreements. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz" in ink for Desilu Productions, Inc. under "Agreed to and Accepted", 4p, 8½x11, separate sheets. Los Angeles, California, 1957 December 11. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ and MARTIN LEEDS Desi Arnaz signs a document amending Martin Leeds' employment contract. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz" in ink as President of Desilu Productions, Inc., 3p, 8½x11, separate sheets. After Desilu Productions purchases R.K.O. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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Consent form authorizing the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce Desi Arnaz's signature and likeness for a series of stamps raising money for needy film industry veterans. The form is signed twice by Arnaz, once as an autograph sample and again to grant permission. A remarkable, perfectly verified example! read more...Sale Price $658.75
$775.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a document for the Directors Guild of America. Document signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 8½x11. Hollywood, California, 1962 January 2. Directors Guild of America, confidential report of earnings for 1961. Typed Hollywood address. Arnaz reports 1961 earnings as a member, $546. read more...Sale Price $552.50
$650.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a document accepting the termination of Holly's employment as executive producer of The Lucy Show. Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 8½x11. Hollywood, California, 1962 November 7. Co-signed: "Edwin E. Holly" read more...Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
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DESI ARNAZ and GEORGE FENNEMAN Desi Arnaz and George Fenneman sign a musical Program Worksheet for the program Ciro's Desi Arnaz. Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 8½x11. No place, circa 1946. Co-signed: "George Fenneman" as announcer. read more...Sale Price $765.00
$900.00
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF DESI ARNAZ! DESI ARNAZ. Document Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 18p, 8½x13. Corona, California, 1963 December 12. Titled: "Last Will and Testament of Desi Arnaz". read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz signs a first edition of his autobiography, A Book to a fan. Book inscribed and signed: "Dear Bob-/Glad you like/'A Book'/Muchas felicidades!/Dezi Arnaz/Del Mar Feb 19, 1980"" on flyleaf, 320p, 6¼x9½, hardcover. read more...Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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DESI ARNAZ and BARBARA JO ALLEN ("VERA VAGUE") Album Leaf signed one side by Arnaz, and on the other by Allen with her character name Inscribed signatures: "To Don/Desi Arnaz", 6x4 album leaf. Co-signed on verso: "To Don-/Vera Vague". read more...Sale Price $162.00
$180.00
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DESILU PRODUCTIONS: DESI ARNAZ and OTHERS The is authorized to borrow up to $50,000, shortly before building its own studio. Document signed: "Desi Arnaz" as Corporation President, "Martin N. Leeds" as Vice President, "Andrew G. read more...Sale Price $765.00
$900.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz sends a typed letter to a fan of apology that he was delayed in replying. Typed Letter signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 7½x9½. On personal letterhead. Del Mar, California, 1980 June 20. To William Stanhope, Albuquerque, New Mexico. read more...Sale Price $324.00
$360.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz sends a typed letter discussing the record album "Music Moments From I Love Lucy". Typed Letter signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 7¾x9½. On personal letterhead. Del Mar, California, 1982 August 17. To Jim Weaver, N. Versailles, Pennsylvania. read more...Sale Price $432.00
$480.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz wrote and signed this letter of thanks in 1972. He wrote it after writing a book and completing two national tours, which were all "a bit exhausting". Typed Letter Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 7¼x10½. On his personal imprinted letterhead. No place, 1977 December 20. read more...Sale Price $324.00
$360.00
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DESI ARNAZ Desi Arnaz sends a typed letter to fan about his signature. Type d Letter Signed: "Desi Arnaz", 1p, 7¼x10½. On his personal imprinted letterhead. No place, 1977 December 20. To Madeline Preedom, Bricktown, New Jersey. read more...Sale Price $324.00
$360.00
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AUTOGRAPH BOOK FROM THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN Scottish character actress Mary Gordon compiled this personal autograph book in 1944 at the celebrity-hosted, morale-boosting nightclub for soldiers and sailors of World War II. Book inscribed and signed: "Best Wishes!/Greer Garson", "Me too/Lt. read more...Sale Price $5,100.00
$6,000.00
