A reader directed my attention to a newly listed eBay auction, offered by Auction Depot LA with a Global Antiques COA titled: “I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL SILVER CREAMER CUP + COA”.
This seller and consignor/authenticator have already been topics of past articles:
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA“
“Global Antiques, Auction Depot LA – Reader Experience With “Original” Casablanca Prop”
“I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Thomas Edison, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Mark Twain, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Al Capone, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA – “Original Dagger Sword””
“The Lord of the Rings, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
As discussed in the previous articles, “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1 on eBay) offers a large number of items on a regular basis (approximately 175 items are currently live on eBay in the “Collectibles” category of their eBay store, as of the writing of this article).
These collectibles, attributed to film/television use and/or ownership by Hollywood stars and public/historic figures, are apparently consigned and authenticated by “Global Antiques” (also referred to as “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”).
For example, many of these items are described as “original” and “authentic” props from “Gone With The Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Casablanca”, “I Love Lucy”, “Star Trek”, “James Bond”, “Lord of the Rings”, and other films and television programs, as well as many collectibles and antiques marketed as owned by John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and other classic and iconic Hollywood stars as well as objects previously owned by public figures such as Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Al Capone, Andy Warhol, and others.
The following piece is another item offered for sale to the public on eBay by Auction Depot LA, with a Certificate of Authenticity from the same source/authenticator, also described as “curator” in the listings, “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”.
TV Prop Original Silver Creamer, I Love Lucy
“I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL SILVER CREAMER CUP + COA” (eBay Item #320246442532)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing – auctiondepotla1 “I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL SILVER CREAMER CUP + COA”
This is the marketing description for the item:
You are looking at an I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL SILVER CREAMER CUP + COA
Now is your chance to own a piece of Hollywood history!!
Product Details:
- I Love Lucy
- TV Film Prop Original
- Silver Material
- Creamer Cup
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you know what scene this item was featured in?
A: Since this item was pulled from a large vault of props, exact scene details are not available. It may be recognized in a scene or it could be used in production off camera.
Q: How do I know this prop is authentic?
A: Global Antiques is the curator of all of the props available for auction through Auction Depot LA. They acquire these props from collectors and studio personnel. The item is authenticated by Global Antiques after its provenance has been validated and certified. Every prop we sell is accompanied by a Silver or Gold Certificate of Authenticity. No other documents are included with the auction.Q: What does the date on the COA represent:
A: That is the year (or year range) that the item was acquired. This acquisition date may vary from the production date if it is a Film/TV prop.Q: How can I contact Global Antiques or the original owner?
A: We act as an agent for Global Antiques and would be happy to answer any other questions you have. We cannot disclose contact info for our private sellers but you are welcome to call us toll free at (877) 337-6852INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION
- I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL SILVER CREAMER CUP
- Certificate of Authenticity Global Antiques, Los Angeles
CONDITION
Appearance: Used during the production of the TV show: I Love Lucy. Signs of use.
DIMENSIONS
Width: 4.5″
Height: 4″
These are the details of the “Certificate of Authenticity (City of Los Angeles, Global Antiques)”:
The COA cites the television program “I Love Lucy Show”, “Lucille Ball – TV Prop” and “1959 to 1960”.
The narrative portion of the description opens:
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of some Hollywood memorabilia! A piece of demolished movie set.
Per Wikipedia (LINK):
I Love Lucy is a popular American situation comedy, starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 on CBS. The show continued on for three more seasons with 13 one-hour specials, running from 1957 to 1960, known first as The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show and later in reruns as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.
So while the “I Love Lucy” show aired between 1951-1957, their were subsequent specials that aired from 1957-1960. There was also a show titled, “The Lucy Show” that aired 1962-1968 (ref.).
In any event, given the description of the item, in order to have been employed as a “TV Prop” for “I Love Lucy”, the manufacture date would have to be 1957 or earlier.
The item offered for sale on eBay is merely described as an “original silver creamer cup”, along with measurements.
However, in reviewing the photos provided of the bottom, additional information is available:
The hallmark reads: “Leonard SILVERPLATE”
Leonard Silver Manufacturing Company was founded in 1969 by Leonard Florence in Chelsea, MA – USA.
Here is a photo of a Leonard Silverplate mark as seen on the website silvercollection.it, “American Silverplate Marks”, “Marks and Hallmarks of USA and Canada Silver Plate and Electroplated Silver Makers” (LINK):
LEONARD SILVER MANUFACTURING COMPANY – Boston MA
Founded in 1969 by Leonard Florence in Chelsea MA.
Here is a comparison between the example hallmark (above) and the I Love Lucy hallmark (below):
Other sources also state that Leonard Silver Manufacturing Company was founded in 1969:
Boston University (bu.edu):
With his share of the profits from the sale of Raimond Silver in 1969, Florence that year formed his own silver company, Leonard Silver.
Living Victornia (livingvictorian.com):
The Leonard Silver Manufacturing Company was started in 1969. It’s founder, Leonard Florence, used a local garage in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to market silver plate holloware.
Reference:
Rainwater, Dorothy T. and Redfield, Judy.
Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers. 4th ed. Schiffer, 1998.
Timelines of History (timelines.ws):
Timeline 1969 – The Leonard Silver Manufacturing Company was started by Leonard Florence (b.1932) in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to market silver plate holloware.
Antiques Cove (antiquescove.biz):
History of The Leonard Silver Manufacturing Company : Started in 1969. It’s founder,
Leonard Florence, used a local garage in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to market silver plate holloware.
In the eBay item description, Auction Depot LA state:
Q: What does the date on the COA represent?
A: That is the year (or year range) that the item was acquired. This acquisition date may vary from the production date if it is a Film/TV prop.
The “year range” stated on the Global Antiques Certificate of Authenticity for the Leonard Silverplate “Silver Creamer TV Prop” attributed to “I Love Lucy” is “1959 to 1960”. The series “I Love Lucy” originally ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957.
Jason De Bord