Happy Days (Paramount TV, 1974-1984), Henry Winkler "Arthur ‘Fonzie' Fonzarelli" Signature Leather Jacket. ...

Description

Happy Days (Paramount TV, 1974-1984), Henry Winkler "Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli" Signature Leather Jacket. In its second season on air, ABC's sitcom series Happy Days was facing only moderate success and lackluster ratings that were beginning to fall. Looking for a way to spark excitement in the program and keep network executives from cancelling the show, series creator Garry Marshall made the critical choice to bring the previously minor character Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) into the spotlight, a decision that launched the show back into the top ratings spot and kept the series running for 10 seasons and 255 episodes, turning both Fonzie and Winkler into cultural juggernauts in the process. Marked by his confidence and charming demeanor, Fonzie took cues from Marlon Brando and James Dean while carving his own unique brand of Cool, which he projected to the world first and foremost with what became the quintessential Fonzie uniform. Presented here is a vintage original brown leather jacket, as worn by the Fonz, featuring a pointed collar, wide rib knit cuffs and hem, 2- slash hip pockets, and brown satin interior lining, retaining internal costumer's handwriting "HW" in black ink at neck. Internal Western Costume label typed, "Henry Winkler" "2768-1" present but detached. Production-used examples of Fonzie's leather jackets have wound up in the collections of notable institutions such as the Smithsonian, and in the hands of notable collectors of Hollywood memorabilia, such as this piece, which has been held by both John Azarian and Dr. Stewart Berkowitz. This jacket was originally given to Love Boat actress Jill Whelan by the Happy Days costumer, Mickey Scherard, following the show's end. Present lot exhibiting production handling and age including some scuffing to the leather and some pulled threads to the knit, and is accompanied by a white T-shirt, pair of blue jeans, pair of brown leather boots, and Aviator-style sunglasses for display purposes. Lot is accompanied by a signed LOA from Jill Whelan from her original consignment to Butterfield's in advance of the jacket's initial auction appearance, dated November 2, 2001. Provenance: Butterfield's, Los Angeles, November 6, 2001; later sold at Profiles in History, "The Azarian Collection", December 17, 2019, Lot #1114. Stewart took great pride in displaying his collection and had many custom-built mannequins in the likeness of the character made for his costumes. This lot includes one of those mannequins, which is in used and well-loved condition and will require special shipping. The option is yours if you would like to receive the mannequin. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From The Stewart Berkowitz Television Treasures Collection.

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