Holy TV history, Batman! Tons of iconic costumes up for auction

By Dean Murray

One of the most important private collections of iconic TV show costumes is up for auction.

More than 300 pieces from Dr. Stewart Berkowitz’s legendary collection include costumes from Adam West’s "Batman," "Happy Days" and "Wonder Woman."

The selection of pop culture treasures is offered for the first time at auction and celebrates US television’s golden age.

Dr. Berkowitz was a New Jersey-based oncologist and pop-culture collector renowned for building one of the largest and most authentic private collections of screen-used television costumes, props and vehicles from the 1950s through the 1970s.

His passion stemmed from childhood fondness for classic TV shows like "Batman", "Star Trek", "The Honeymooners" and "The Andy Griffith Show", inspiring him to amass museum-quality memorabilia, including original Batmobile and Star Trek costumes, often authenticated by show creators or stars themselves.

He passed away in March 2024 at age 64, leaving behind a collection treasured by fans and fellow collectors alike.

Dr. Berkowitz’s son, Jordan Meddy, said: "My dad started this collection before the auction world for this kind of material existed.

"He was an early adopter of eBay, and at first he collected what he came across, and was especially into "The Honeymooners" and "Batman".

"His collection expanded, and then contracted as he became more serious about it, and decided to focus it on the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.

"He was very detail-oriented, and he wanted it to be the most complete, authentic collection possible. He put everything he had into it."

Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, said: "As one of the most comprehensive and passionately assembled collections of vintage television memorabilia ever brought to market, this auction represents a lifetime of love for these shows.

"It speaks not only to Dr Berkowitz’s discerning eye and deep knowledge of television history, but also to the love, nostalgia and humor he brought to everything he did.

"Collectors will recognize the care that went into every acquisition, and the cultural significance of what’s now coming to auction for the very first time."

The Stewart Berkowitz Television Treasures Auction will be held on October 24.

Auction highlights:

• Henry Winkler’s leather jacket from "Happy Days"
• William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy’s Mr Spock Starfleet uniforms from the original "Star Trek"
• Adam West and Burt Ward’s full Batman and Robin costumes, joined by Julie Newmar’s Catwoman catsuit, Cesar Romero’s Joker suit, Burgess Meredith’s Penguin outfit and Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl ensemble
• Lynda Carter’s unforgettable "Wonder Woman" costume
• Barbara Eden’s iconic pink harem costume from "I Dream of Jeannie"
• Jackie Gleason’s screen-worn bus driver uniform from "The Honeymooners"
• Bob Denver’s red shirt and bucket hat from "Gilligan’s Island"