Scarce and impressive book-style invitation to an event titled “Dinner with the President,” held in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Washington, D.C., November 23, 1953, comprising approximately 13 single-sided, title card–style pages featuring the names of celebrity attendees, housed in a cord and satin binding with pictorial cover, 16 x 11, the following pages signed in ballpoint by the respective celebrity or celebrities: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley (together); Eddie Fisher; Jane Froman; Rex Harrison; Helen Hayes; Ethel Merman; Lilli Palmer; Thelma Ritter; Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (together); and William Warfield. Accompanied by an unsigned menu from the same event featuring a color photo of Dwight D. Eisenhower on the interior. Mild scattered soiling and handling wear to binding, pastedowns cleanly “peeled” from covers due to drying of glue (not affecting appearance and easily re-affixed), marginal pinhole to final, unsigned page, ink inscription to reverse of one page (invisible from front), and mild scattered handling wear, otherwise fine condition. The individual pages are clean, well-preserved, and quite attractive for display. Remarkably, given the durable popularity of I Love Lucy, items signed by all four principal cast members represent one of the most elusive treasures for collectors of early television, with only a handful of examples known to exist. The present example, with its generous size and splendidly graphic, eminently displayable appeal, takes a place in the topmost echelon of Lucy-related autographs. A not-to-be-missed opportunity for the advanced entertainment collector! R&R COA.
