WITH JAMES COMISAR HANDING OVER CURATION DUTIES TO A NEW GENERATION OF TELEVISION ENTHUSIASTS, WE ASKED HIM TO SHARE SOME OF HIS FAVORITE LOTS FOR EMERGING COLLECTORS
The Lone Ranger Sunglasses Mask
“This piece has an interesting story behind it. The Wrather Corporation, rights holder of The Lone Ranger television series, did not take kindly to actor Clayton Moore continuing to wear his TV costume and mask in public. Eventually, they won a court action that prohibited him from wearing his famous, original ensemble. Not wanting to let down his fans, Moore then commissioned a pair of Italian black lacquer eyeglasses wrapped in a black leather mask with almond-shaped eye holes. After the iconic actor passed away, these mask glasses were sold by his daughter, and I was very happy to acquire them. If you love to return to ‘those thrilling days of yesteryear,’ you gotta go for these glasses!”
Vivian Vance Emmy Award Nomination Plaque
“I Love Lucy may be the most beloved situation comedy over 70 years of television, and the fun scenes between Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz were among my favorites. Actress Vivian Vance as frumpy neighbor Ethel was not to take attention away from glamorous movie star Lucille Ball; it was even written into her contract that she could not wear designer clothing and had to always maintain a weight greater than Lucy’s. Notwithstanding, Ethel quickly became a fan favorite, and Vance would go on to be nominated four times over five years for television’s most acclaimed honor, the Emmy Award. This plaque from 1956 is in beautiful condition, requires very little display space and won’t require much collection care.”
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Bumper Card
“In my considered opinion, Johnny Carson will always be the king of late-night television. The Tonight Show aired for 30 consecutive years, from 1962 to 1992, and in the early days, Carson hosted the two-hour program five nights a week, though audiences couldn’t get enough of his slightly naughty Midwestern charm. Anyone over 50 will surely be familiar with the bumper cards that were shown coming in and out of commercials. I especially love the shooting cowboy, as it is hand-illustrated by NBC lead artist Don Locke. You will never find another one like this.”
Romper Room Blackboard Sign
“This chalkboard was on the wall of my office for nearly 10 years. I love that it features the name of the show, a large image of the show’s mascot bumblebee (two, in fact!) and that it was associated with the classroom teacher’s regular teachable moment about being a ‘Do Bee’ that has good manners instead of a ‘Don’t Bee.’ It’s nearly 3 feet by 4 feet, so it will add a lot of color and joy to any room.”
Hershey’s Kiss Claymation Puppet
“This puppet always makes me smile, and it was acquired directly from Will Vinton, the creator of Claymation. Vinton’s long-running ad campaign featuring the California Raisins performing ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ is among the most memorable commercials of all time, and he has been honored with Emmy Awards, Clio Awards and an Academy Award for Best Short Film. If you keep this puppet out of direct sunlight and extreme heat and you don’t over-handle it, he could be your friend for years, and I’m guessing you could win him at a reasonable price point.”
Hervé Villechaize Fantasy Island Cast Jacket
“Tattoo, the mysterious sidekick to Mr. Roarke in the original 1970s series Fantasy Island, was well known for his thick French accent and small stature. This jacket given by production to actor Hervé Villechaize features a small ‘Fantasy Island’ patch on the chest and a much larger show title on the back. This came from the actor’s estate, and I bought the jacket to display alongside his red island golf cart. Love, love, love it!”
Laverne & Shirley Shotz Beer Case
“Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney famously worked at the Shotz Brewery on Laverne & Shirley. In the early 1990s, Paramount Studios was emptying a warehouse and sold its contents to a prop rental house. In the second auction I ever attended, I was able to win this empty cardboard box with ‘Shotz Beer’ stenciled on its sides. This prop would pair very nicely with the two ‘Hot Shotz’ bowling shirts also in the auction. Add Laverne’s Shotz lab coat from the series, and you have an instant collection.”
Dr. Gregory House Walking Stick
“The perennially unpleasant Dr. Gregory House used a derby-handled walnut walking cane throughout Season 2 of House, and it is still synonymous with this enduring character. If you look closely at the silver metal band, you will notice ‘House, M.D.’ etched below it, indicating the cane was inventoried for active production of the series. Actor Hugh Laurie was kind enough to include a short note that states he used the cane to engender sympathy, which, in itself, is very cool.”
Alien Tunguska Rock From The X-Files
“This chunky black rock speckled with otherworldly red veins is a remnant from an asteroid that crashed into a remote Siberian countryside. It would be carried through a busy airport in a Department of State orange leatherette zipper pouch and later identified to contain an alien life form that killed everyone who was in contact. It’s a mysterious, moody display piece from The X-Files Season 4 episode “Tunguska,” and my warehouse guests were always attracted to it.”
American Idol Judges Cups
“This is a great ‘breakup’ lot. Keep one, then hopefully sell the other two to offset purchase costs. I get that not everyone has the space or budget for the American Idol judges desk also on offer from the series, but these cups should fit most budgets and spaces. They are durable – provided they are no longer used as beverage cups – and super-recognizable to talent competition fans.”