Editor’s Note
This article highlights the booming market for classic television memorabilia, as demonstrated by a recent Heritage Auctions event. It underscores how iconic series like ‘Batman’ continue to captivate collectors, driving intense bidding and high prices for authentic pieces of pop culture history.
At a Heritage Auctions event, collections related to classic television series such as ‘Batman’ (1966-1968) and ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (1965-1970) were sold for high prices. (Note: Heritage Auctions is one of the world’s largest auction houses, founded in 1976.)
Particular attention at the auction was drawn to the costumes worn by Adam West and Burt Ward in the ABC version of ‘Batman’ (1966-1968). The Batman and Robin costumes were sold as a set for $575,000 (approximately 87.58 million yen).
Additionally, the costume of the Joker, played by Cesar Romero, sold for $212,000 (approximately 32.29 million yen); Batgirl (played by Yvonne Craig) for $87,500; Catwoman (played by Julie Newmar) for $68,750 (approximately 10.47 million yen); and the Penguin (played by Burgess Meredith) for $46,250 (approximately 7.04 million yen). In total, these ‘Batman’ (1966-1968) related items alone amounted to approximately $990,000 (about 150.76 million yen).
Meanwhile, the costume worn by Lynda Carter in the series ‘Wonder Woman’ (1975-1979, aired on ABC/CBS) sold for $225,000 (approximately 34.26 million yen). Two leather jackets worn by Fonzie (played by Henry Winkler) in ‘Happy Days’ (1974-1984) also appeared, with one selling for $87,500 (approximately 13.32 million yen) and the other for $75,000 (approximately 11.42 million yen), both achieving high prices.
Two costumes of Captain Kirk worn by William Shatner in ‘Star Trek’ (1966-) were also sold for $62,500 (approximately 9.51 million yen) and $52,500 (approximately 7.99 million yen) respectively.
Furthermore, the pink harem costume worn by Barbara Eden in ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (1965-1970) and the bus driver uniform worn by Jackie Gleason in ‘The Honeymooners’ (1955-1956) both sold for $42,500 (approximately 6.47 million yen).
The costume worn by Herman Munster (played by Fred Gwynne) in ‘The Munsters’ (1964-66) sold for $37,500 (approximately 5.70 million yen), and the shoe phone used by Don Adams in ‘Get Smart’ (1965-1970) was auctioned off for $35,000 (approximately 5.32 million yen).
This auction was held to unveil the “Television Treasures Collection” of the late Stewart Berkowitz, who passed away last year at the age of 64. Berkowitz was known as a passionate collector active since the early days of eBay.