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Date and Issue: Volume 6 / Number 7 / July, 2000.
Mod Squad, The Partridge Family, M*A*S*H, The Brady Bunch, and Welcome Back Kotter are just the tip of the treasure trove of 1970's television programs that have exploded with nostalgic popularity over the past few years. And when it comes to that retro revival, Wonder Woman, starring the beautiful Lynda Carter, is no exception. As most fans of the show may concur, the magical (albeit gimmicky) on-screen transformation of plain Jane Diana Prince into the patrioticallyclad curvaceous crime fighter was captivating, especially to young lads with emerging libidos. The series premiered on ABC in 1975 with the pilot movie, The New Original Wonder Woman. The movie was true to the comic book story right down to the World War II time period and the invisible jet that Wonder Woman used for transportation. A first attempt at bringing Wonder Woman to the screen had actually occurred a year earlier. A 1974 pilot, that starred Cathy Lee Crosby, however stalled for a variety of reasons. First, neither Crosby nor her costume had any resemblance to the Wonder Woman of comic book fame; and secondly, in this version, the crime fightin' female had no real superpowers. The 1975 pilot did not make those mistakes and became a clear winner when the beautiful and statuesque Lynda Carter was cast in the lead role.
Although Wonder Woman was instantly popular with viewers, ABC only commissioned 13 episodes, which aired in various time slots throughout the 1976-77 season. At the end of the first season, Wonder Woman was unceremoniously dropped from ABC's line-up. Fortunately, for WW fans, CBS rescued the series from cancellation and gave Carter an additional two years to work her womanly wonders.
Prior to being tapped for the role, Carter, a former Miss World-USA, had been working as a singer and would occasionally guest star on other series. Wonder Woman was the vehicle to catapult her to international fame. Hoping to capitalize on the show's success toy companies began a merchandising frenzy. Wonder Woman toys of all sorts were produced including posters, puzzles, action figures, board games, parry supplies, records, books, lunchboxes and a multitude of other items. Oddly, most of the toys featured the comic version of Wonder Woman as opposed to the televised Carter version. Because of this fans are often more eager to obtain the Carter-inspired items.
From 1977 to 1978 at least five different posters featuring Carter were released. The Pro-Arts Company released three 20 x 28 posters: Carter (14-594), Lynda (14-519) and the most successful,Ms. Carter (14-594). These posters, which topped the sales of Farrah Fawcett's famous pin-up, earned Carter the Gold Poster Award. Today these posters range in price from between $50 and $75 depending on condition. In 1977 the Thought Factoryproduced two more posters called Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman. Both posters measured 24 x 36 and featured full length shots of Carter in full WW regalia. The first poster featured Carter's costume from the ABC series complete with cape. The second poster featured the costume from the CBS series. In excellent or mint condition these wonderful wall hangings range in value between $50 and $100 each. Pro-Arts also produced iron-ons using the same poses as their posters. At least one Wonder Woman iron-on was also produced. Each of these iron-ons is valued at between $15 and 530.
Five different jigsaw puzzles were produced in conjunction with the television series. In 1977 American Publishing Corporation released a 121-piece puzzle that featured the comic version of Wonder Woman with a small photo of Carter on the box. A 200-piece puzzle, also from 1977, featured a side view of Carter in the ABC costume. The following year two additional puzzles were released that featured the CBS costume. One had a blue background and featured the cape, the other had a red background without the cape. The comic puzzle is valued at $20-$25 while the others range in price from $35-$50. The rarest of the five puzzles is a 1977 produced 551-piece puzzle that pictures Carter sitting on a sofa in an orange dress. Strangely, the box reads "Lynch Carter is Wonder Woman" despite the fact that she does not appear in character. It is unclear why this puzzle has become so hard to find. Perhaps the large size of the puzzle made it difficult for children to assemble or perhaps it was passed over by Wonder Woman fans who would have rather have had a puzzle showing the character. Whatever the reason, the puzzle is extremely rare and has been known to commend $200 in excellent condition. The Mego Corporation also sought to cash in on the Wonder Woman popularity as it had done with other hit shows from the era. In 1976 the company released a series of four 12-inch action figures based on both the series and comic book versions of the character. The most sought after of the four is the Wonder Woman figure which comes with all the accessories including lasso, bracelet and headband along with Diana Prince's military uniform. Also in the series are Steve Trevor, Queen Hippolyte and Nubia (a character from the comics who never made it to the series). Each of the four figures came in a colorful window box with Carter's photo on the flap. The Wonder Woman figure is the most valuable usually ranging in price between $250 and $350 depending on condition and if in the box. The other three characters are usually seen selling in the $100 to $150 range. Mego had also planned a series of outfits for the Wonder Woman figure but these items were never produced.
Although unlicensed merchandise is not usually as collectable, two plastic figurines that replicate the Carter version of Wonder Woman were produced and are sought after by fans. One of the models is 13-inches tall and features the ABC costume. The second is 11-inches tall and features the CBS costume. These figurines are valued at about $100 each. The original ABC All our hopes are pinned upon you and the wonders that you do; in your satin tights, fighting for your rights, and the old red white and blue That song was penned by the famous songwriting team of Horman Gimble and Charles Fox. In 1977 the song was released on a 45 RPM by Shadybrook Records version of Wonder Woman had perhaps one of the most memorable theme songs of 1970's television: and was performed by Hew World Symphony. It was only released as a promo to be sent to radio stations. Unlike most promo records it came with an illustrated picture sleeve. In excellent condition in the sleeve these records are valued at between $35 and $45.
Although Carter is best known for her portrayal of the amazing amazon, she has worked hard at avoiding a pigeon-hole status that plagues many actors who have played fantasy characters. In 1978 she released a recording called Portrait on Epic Records. Released on LP, 8-track and the elusive picture disc, the LP today garners $25-$35, the 8-track $30-$50 and the picture disc between $70 and $100. The poster that accompanied the Portrait release sells for $40 to $50.
Between 1980 and 1984 Carter co-produced five variety specials for CBS. These specials: Lynda Carter's Special, Encore, Celebration, Street Life and Body and Soul showcased Carter's singing and dancing talents. She also can boast a successful modeling career. One of her earliest jobs was as a model for a record jacket for a group called The Willie Burgundy Five. If you've never heard of the group you're not alone. And while The Willie Burgundy Five have completely dissolved into obscurity the appearance of Carter on their album cover makes it a much sought-after collectable garnering close to $50. Carter also did print work for Young Edwardian clothing and 7-Up. She has been a fashion consultant for Maybelline Cosmetics for over ten years and since the 1990's has been the spokesperson for Lens Express. Consequently, many of her print ads have become popular with collectors and usually sell for around $3 to $5 each.
Another hot collectible for Carter fans are magazines with Carter covers. Collectors have been known to pay as much as $100 for rare magazines. Typically however magazines sell more in the $10 to $30 range. The prices of those magazines however can change drastically if they have been autographed by Carter. The Official Autograph Collector Price Guide lists a signed photo of Carter as having a worth of $25, but be assured, diehard Carter fans have been known to pay three and four times that amount.
When someone begins a Lynda Carter collection they quickly find that Carter fans are some of the most dedicated. Between collector's magazines and a plethora of websites, an entire network of loyal Carter fans has emerged. And these collectors find themselves in good company, namely with Carter herself. Carter collects Wonder Woman memorabilia for herself and her children, James and Jessica. Among the treasures that can be found in the Washington D.C. home she shares with her children and husband Robert Altman, is her original Wonder Woman costume.
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