Autographs from I Love Lucy

Ricky Ricardo was a $150 a week band leader at the Tropicana. His wife, Lucy, was a ditsy redhead who couldn't stay out of trouble. The Ricardos rented an apartment from their best friends, retired vaudevillians Fred and Ethel Mertz. The four together were comedy magic.

I Love Lucy quickly became "can't miss" entertainment for the millions of Americans who had just bought their first TV sets. It has remained popular through the magic of reruns.

Anything associated with I Love Lucy is collectible, and autographs are no exception.

Lucille Ball (1911-1989) was a friendly signer. She was involved in other show business endeavors long after "I Love Lucy" ended its run. Her autograph was fairly inexpensive while she was living, but since her death it has increased substantially, to the point that a good signed photo from her period of peak popularity will sell for as much as $500. Signed photos from the 1970's-1980's are worth about half that. Signatures sell for around $200.

Some of her bank checks are available and they have risen quickly in value since they first hit the market. Most dealers put a higher price tag on them, but with some searching they can be found for $200 or a little less. Her brother and business manager, Fred Ball, signed many of her bank checks. They sell for around $25. Lucy's personally signed checks will be a good investment. There is a finite supply of them and over time, they'll all be tucked away in collections. In fact, anything personally signed by Lucy will be money in the bank.

Desi Arnaz (1917-1986) was a responsive signer both in person and while in retirement, through the mail. A good Desi Arnaz signed photo sells in the $150 - $200 range. Signatures are inexpensive at around $50.

Some of Desi's bank checks are also on the market. They usually sell for around $75. Among collectors, it is popular to frame checks of both Lucy and Desi along with a nice photo or other vintage memorabilia. eBay is good place to look for these checks.

Vivian Vance (1913-1979) was a tough autograph while she was living. Since her death, it has become a valuable autograph. Her signed photos are much harder to find than Lucy's and an older one from around the time that she played Ethyl will probably bring more than $500. A Vivian Vance Signed photo from a later date aren't much cheaper. Signatures sell for about $200.

William Frawley (1887-1966) was an even tougher autograph than Vivian Vance. Frawley has been deceased for over 40 years. That makes for a very hard to find autograph - and an expensive one. A William Frawley signed photo is going to easily bring in excess of $500. Signatures bring more than half that.

Other cast members make good additions to an "I Love Lucy Collection." Probably the ones with the most screen time are:

Keith Thibodeaux - Little RickyDoris Singleton - Caroline ApplebyElizabeth Patterson - Mrs. Trumball

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