A cache of costumes from the original Adam West Batman TV series have fetched an eye-popping sum at auction, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Five costumes worn by the principal cast on the 1966–1968 Batman series, which starred West in the eponymous role and Burt Ward as Robin, sold for a combined $989,500.
Unsurprisingly, the Batman and Robin costumes worn by West and Ward netted the largest sum, sold to one lucky bidder for $575,000. Cesar Romero’s Joker costume sold for $212,000, while Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl costume went for $87,500. Julie Newmar’s Catwoman costume was auctioned for $68,750, and Burgess Meredith’s Penguin costume rounded out the list, selling for $46,250. In addition to the costumes, several props were also sold off. A Batscanner console from the Batcave, along with Batman’s Batarang and holster, netted $150,000 and $50,000, respectively.
But Batman props were not the only television relics auctioned off at the event. Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman costume, which she wore on the 1975–1979 series, sold for $225,000. The costume comes complete with Wonder Woman’s red, white and blue corset, golden cuff bracelets, and golden Lasso of Truth. Two of the leather jackets worn by Fonzie (Henry Winkler) on Happy Days sold for $87,500 and $75,000, and a set of William Shatner’s Captain Kirk costumes from Star Trek were auctioned for $62,500 and $52,500, respectively. The costumes previously belonged to Stewart Berkowitz, a collector who died last year at 64.
“This auction was a love letter to the golden age of television,” said Joe Maddalena, the executive VP of Heritage Auctions, in a statement. “Stewart Berkowitz built this collection out of pure passion for the shows and characters that defined an era. To see collectors from around the world respond so enthusiastically—and to watch iconic pieces from Batman, Wonder Woman, Happy Days and Star Trek find new homes—was incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms that the stories and heroes of classic TV continue to inspire generations.”
