Heritage Auctions currently has one of the iconic M*A*S*H signposts up for auction, part of The Comisar Collection of TV props and costumes. Early Internet bidding is underway and the signpost is currently sitting at $100,000 ($125,000 when the buyer’s premium is added) with nine bidders.
The signpost up for auction was part of the M*A*S*H set built on Stage 9 at the 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California. After filming wrapped, set decorator Bert F. Allen took the signpost home. It was later auctioned off by Profiles in History, selling for $25,000 in July 2005.
Here’s an excerpt from the item description published in the auction listing, which incorrectly states the interior stage signpost is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History:
All-over paint conservation to secure the flaking basecoat and black lettering paints, and archival storage boxes, by conservator Irena Calinescu, and archival metal display mount by Fine Arts Conservation LLC. Three signposts are known to have been built for the production, one of which was destroyed in a fire that swept through the outdoor set. The interior soundstage sign is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, and this sign was retained by series set decorator, the Bert F. Allen, and acquired from his estate. Since only two such signs survived the production process, and one sign will forever be celebrated within the national collection, this is the only signature M*A*S*H compound directional signpost known to exist for private collection. Though it exhibits moderate wear from production use and exposure to the weather, it remains in Very Good vintage condition.
If this is the same signpost auctioned off by Profiles in History back in 2005, it appears to have been significantly restored. That signpost showed significant wear and wearing on the wooden signs. The signs were also arranged in a different order.
The Comisar Collection also includes several other props from M*A*S*H (current price in parentheses):
- Public Address Horn ($8,250)
- U.S. Army Signal Corps Field Switchboard and Radio Transmitter ($525)
- Shower Head from Officer’s Tent ($510)
- Glass Section of Gin Still ($410)
- No Smoking Sign ($1,150)
- Hand-Stenciled Sign from M*A*S*H ($1,050)
The live auction session that includes the M*A*S*H items begins Saturday, June 3rd at 11AM Central Time.
