A Must-See Event: Tune In to the Greatest Auction of Television History at Heritage in June

[Mikey Radio]

https://www.ha.com/heritage-auctions-press-releases-and-news/a-must-see-event-tune-in-to-the-greatest-auction-of-television-history-at-heritage-in-june.s?releaseId=4725

On June 2-4 Heritage Auctions will offer nearly 1,000 pieces from The Comisar Collection, most of which have never before been to auction. Among its voluminous highlights: The Tonight Show set from which Johnny Carson kept a nation awake and entertained until his 1992 farewell. The desk and New York City skyline where David Letterman became every college student's Late Night fixture during his NBC tenure. Archie and Edith Bunker's Queens living room from All in the Family, including the two most famous chairs in sitcom history. And the bar around which the Cheers regulars congregated.

The remarkable list of props, sets and costumes available here honor the must-see TV of every era and genre. Other touchstone objects in the sale include Superman's woolen uniform tunic and molded muscles from The Adventures of Superman; Captain James T. Kirk's command-gold top and the Grecian tunic worn when he and Lieutenant Uhura shared TV's first interracial kiss on Star Trek; Barbara Eden's pink-chiffon costume from I Dream of Jeannie; U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon's badge and boots from Gunsmoke; and the signpost featuring the hometowns of the doctors and soldiers who staffed the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital on M*A*S*H.

Treasures from The Comisar Collection span yesterday's hits all the way through the series that reinvigorated television in the satellite and streaming age. In the climate-, humidity- and light-controlled warehouses built specifically for art and historic works, Comisar stored the ensembles worn by Tony Soprano and his crew when Christopher Moltisanti became a "made" man; the tools used by Walter White and Jesse Pinkman to cook Breaking Bad's blue meth; the midcentury barware Don Draper, Roger Sterling and the other Mad Men used to mix their cocktails; and serial killer Dexter Morgan's kill table.

 

[crainbebo]

This is phenomenal. There's everything from suits and outfits from sitcoms, to cue cards and props. Even a 1950s RCA TV camera is being sold. Whoever gets that Johnny Carson set I hope will restore it and take good care of it

 

[gr8oldies]

If you can't find the Merv Griffin set in a dumpster, it's the next best thing (ref: Seinfeld episode)

 

[anotherguyTN]

The Carson and Letterman sets sound better to me. Jay Leno's desk was also in the auction but not the entire set.

 

[Mikey Radio]

According to the article in the OP, this guy lived on mac & cheese at times and cancelled family vacations so he could afford to buy all the stuff in this collection - if all this sells, especially if some real TV buffs get involved and raise the bidding, he'll have plenty of $$ to make up for that.

The other thing that struck me is that his intention was to use all this stuff he'd collected to create and open a museum, but after talking to network executive and industry people, he found there was no way to make that happen. Wondering if they had some long-lasting trademark or licensing on all this stuff that would make it impossible for him to display it publicly, or if he did, he'd need to license it which would be cost-prohibitive?

 

[Mikey Radio]

If you can't find the Merv Griffin set in a dumpster, it's the next best thing (ref: Seinfeld episode)

^^^ That was a great episode

Anyone remember back when Letterman signed off for the last time before Colbert took over, and within about 2 days some of his old CBS set was put into the back of trucks, but much of it, including the backdrop went into the dumpster?

Photos: The Letterman Set Has Been Tossed Into Dumpsters​

Photos: The Letterman Set Has Been Tossed Into Dumpsters, Do You Feel Anything?

This is like the time your father said he was going out for cigarettes, but then threw your entire bedroom into the trash.

gothamist.com

 

[crainbebo]

Hmm...sounds like the reason why I look for local TV content (news, parades, special events) on those home-recorded VHS tapes. I'm hoping to be a part of showcasing Yakima TV history with the help of my local museum (the Yakima Valley Museum). Especially since the local stations threw their archives out, years ago.

I wonder if NBC still owns the old multi-colored curtains that were behind Johnny during his monologues?

A Price superfan will buy the Hit Me and Plinko signs...even for a high price. I'm sure of it! Or maybe Drew Carey will ;-)

 

[Mikey Radio]

In poking around a bit, there are things like microphones and an old Symetrix phone interface controller that are relatively cheap if someone wanted those for a purpose other than just a TV history display piece.

It is pretty impressive how encompassing and extensive this auction is. Loads of stuff from so many shows! If someone had some coin to spend and a "man cave" to decorate, the possibilities found in that auction are pretty unique and amazing.

 

[radiofan2023]

There's the Frasier radio studio set too and some signed chalkboards from June Allyson, Garry Moore, etc from a 50's game show, incredible stuff.

 

[crainbebo]

That phone interface controller is already over $400...
Honestly, as much as I would love to bid on those TV Guides, I know the proxy bidders and live bidders in Dallas will outbid me very quickly. This isn't like eBay. One lot is already over $300, one of the early 1950s-1960s lots...It might have the first issue for all we know.

 

[Mikey Radio]

That phone interface controller is already over $400...
Honestly, as much as I would love to bid on those TV Guides, I know the proxy bidders and live bidders in Dallas will outbid me very quickly. This isn't like eBay. One lot is already over $300, one of the early 1950s-1960s lots...It might have the first issue for all we know.

Interesting. When is the auction ending for everything, do you recall? I'm sure there is a fair amount of interest in this auction, not only from individuals with an interest in the memorabilia and legacy, but also from collectors, museums, restaurants and businesses that like to display this kind of stuff, etc. Obviously the guy selling it all did a smart thing by getting it in the national press as well.

 

[crainbebo]

Some items already ended. Some end Saturday, some end Sunday.

 

[Mikey Radio]

‘Cheers’ bar sells for $675,000 at Dallas auction of items from classic TV shows​

'Cheers' bar sells for $675,000 at Dallas auction of items from classic TV shows

The bar from the television series “Cheers” sold for $675,000 at auction over the weekend, garnering the highest bid.

www.boston.com

Heritage Auctions said that the items sold during its three-day event that wrapped up Sunday in Dallas brought in over $5 million. James Comisar has said that after his dream of creating a museum to house his collection failed to come together, it was time for the pieces to go to fans to enjoy.