Collectively Speaking: For Linda Gallagher, It’s “I Love Lucy” Memorabilia

It is impossible not to smile when you enter this second floor space as nearly every inch of the walls is filled with reminders of the redhead whose TV show brought side-splitting laughs into American households in the 1950s. Linda Gallagher remembers the original half-hour shows fondly, which aired Monday nights on CBS, and taped before a live audience.

Gallagher bought a sepia-toned photo of Lucille Ball and her real-life and TV show husband, Desi Arnez, nearly 30 years ago, in the Pottery Factory just outside of Williamsburg, Va. At the time, it was a rarity to find such memorabilia. But it brought back a flood of fond childhood memories.

Now that one image has multiplied many times over. Even if you were not yet born when “I Love Lucy” aired originally, chances are you have seen episodes on Nickelodeon or online. Two large posters show stills from two that are cult favorites: the “Job Switching” episode in which Lucy and her sidekick, Ethel, find themselves working a chocolate factory line that begins to speed up with hilarious results. In “Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” she is sampling Vitameatavegamin health tonic, which is heavily laced with alcohol.  Difficult to say while sober, after numerous retakes in her increasingly inebriated state, it proves impossible. An “instant classic” was born.           

It is not surprising that Gallagher knows all of the plots from the six seasons that the show aired, (1951-1957). After all, her collection includes DVDs of every episode— 180 in all. And before DVD, there was VHS. She opens a closet to reveal another full set on VHS tapes. In addition, she has the complete 13 “Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour” shows that followed when the original series ended.

A generously sized flat-screen TV means that all can be savored once again in glorious black-and-white. Gallagher’s personal favorite is “L.A., At Last,” which featured Hollywood heartthrob (at the time) William Holden. Let’s just say that Lucy, wearing a putty nose to disguise herself after an embarrassing meeting with Holden, sets the nose aflame when he lights her cigarette.

Gallagher can recite most of the lines verbatim and enjoys doing so. She noted that her two granddaughters, ages 15 and 11, can also recite the lines. They also have two directors’ chairs decorated with favorite Lucy scenes in their own home.

Of course, the TV shows have spawned collectibles of all kinds, including Barbie dolls, of which she has quite a few. She credited her daughter, Laura, with getting her started.  (Not that she needs much of a push to indulge in her collecting habit.)

A white display cabinet, with lights, holds an array of snow globes, candy dishes, teapots, dishes, frames and all manners of fun pieces.            

Her collection ranges from  pricier originals purchased from dealers and ephemera such as the first ever “Lucy” comic book that her husband, Clint, gave her to purely funky items given by caring friends who know of her passion. Asked if she has an inventory of all the items—which must number in the hundreds—at least, Gallagher said that she maintains it in her head.

Around Valentine’s Day several years back, she and Clint held an “I Love Lucy” party. Naturally, the host and hostess dressed as the two TV stars. Entertainment included a Lucy trivia game and screening of choice episodes. “It was a lot of fun because we realized how many people really like the ‘I Love Lucy’ Series, said Gallagher.

That brings us to the spin-off collection in the room: hearts. “I have always loved Valentine’s Day and hearts,” said Gallagher, “and hearts are associated with the ‘I Love Lucy’ show.”

So if you have a husband, two daughters and two granddaughters involved in the fun, why not a cat.

Three years ago, Gallagher brought a kitten into the household and a daughter, Laura, decreed that the cat had to be named “Lucy.” While Lucy seems to care little about her namesake, she does spend a great deal of time in the room. A Turkish Van breed, her coat does have some orange markings that remind one of that beloved red head.

Now, all that is left is to interest a five-year-old grandson, who lives across the street, in her “I Love Lucy” mania. It hasn’t happened yet, but she is working on it to be sure.