Ever dreamed of owning a bar where everybody knows your name? Or perhaps a quaint little house in Queens, circa 1975? Maybe, like Kramer from Seinfeld, you’ve fantasized about interviewing your friends on your very own late-night TV show set? All this and more is within reach thanks to a monumental auction of television props, sets, and memorabilia happening June 2-4 in Dallas, hosted by Heritage Auctions. This event features nearly 1,000 items from the Comisar Collection, amassed by one man’s decades-long mission to preserve artifacts from beloved TV shows.
James Comisar fondly recalls being a “chubby kid” in the ’70s, enthralled by Saturday morning and after-school TV, steering clear of sports. This passion ignited a lifelong affection for certain shows, starting with the classic kids’ program H.R. Pufnstuf (though his prized Witchiepoo costume won’t be part of the auction).
Later, as a television writer, Comisar forged connections with show creators, actors, producers, and directors, ensuring his collection’s impeccable sourcing, provenance, and condition.
Now at 58, Comisar is ready to pass the torch, parting with most of these cherished items. Despite his unfulfilled dream of establishing a new museum dedicated to television, he remains hopeful. “I’m not upset as much as I am frustrated,” he shares, but he’s optimistic that these pieces will bring joy to collectors and fans of classic TV shows.