Description:

14K Gold "Desi" Lighter Presented to Desi Arnaz From Robert Stack On The Occasion of the Latter's "The Untouchables" 1960 Emmy Win

A cigarette lighter presented to Desi Arnaz (1917-1986), the Cuban-American actor and television producer, by Robert Stack (1919-2003), the star of the ABC network series "The Untouchables." Ca. June 20, 1960. N.p. The front of the windproof cover/guard is engraved "Desi," while the reverse is engraved "The best damn / boss of the best / damn series on the / air / Bob / 6-2-60." The front of the exquisitely polished body is decorated with a basrelief of the Emmy Award statuette. Encased in 14K gold (stamped 14K on underside of the base). The lighter is Zippo style but is not otherwise stamped or designated. The strike wheel, wick, and chimney appear to be intact but it is unknown whether the lighter is in working condition. Expected wear including incidental scuffs and scratches commensurate with age. Else near fine. 1.25" x 2" x .625."

Desi Arnaz, the beloved bandleader and actor best known for his portrayal of Ricky Ricardo opposite Lucille Ball in "I Love Lucy," also served as one of five executive producers of the television show "The Untouchables." The show aired over four seasons, from 1959-1963, and consisted of over 118 50-minute-long episodes. Robert Stack portrayed Eliot Ness, the real-life leader of a dedicated band of Prohibition-era federal agents, upon whose memoirs the series was loosely based. Ness and the "Untouchables" battled against bootleggers, kingpins, and street toughs modeled after historical criminals. Stack won the 1960 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Ness (the date engraved on this lighter, June 20, 1960, was the date of the Emmy Award Ceremony at Burbank, California.) Stack's production company Langford Productions collaborated with Arnaz's production company, Desilu Productions, from 1962-1963.

Desi Arnaz smoked cigarettes and cigars for most of his life, so Stack's gift of a cigarette lighter was certainly a thoughtful gesture. Unfortunately, Arnaz's smoking habit led to terminal lung cancer; Arnaz died age 69 in December 1986.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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