Larry Mathews Reveals the 60-Year-Old Prop He Still Has from “The Dick Van Dyke Show: ”‘My Most Prized Possession’

Larry Mathews, known for his role as Ritchie Petrie on the iconic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, recently shared a treasured memento from his childhood spent on the set. He still possesses a signed prop poster from the show, a unique piece that serves as a direct connection to his time working alongside television legends. As the beloved series commemorates its 65th anniversary, Mathews reflects on the significance of this artifact.

Mathews appeared on the podcast *Tripping Over The Ottoman*, where he revealed the story behind his prized possession: a “WANTED” poster showcasing Carl Reiner in character as the outlaw “Big Bad Brady.” This particular poster originated from a Western-themed episode titled “The Gunslinger,” which was part of the show’s fifth season. The storyline illustrates Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, entering a fictional sheriff’s office and encountering the amusing Deputy Sheriff Buddy Serrell, portrayed by Morey Amsterdam.

According to co-host David Van Deusen, while the episode includes a setup for darts to be thrown at various “WANTED” posters, this action is not visible in the actual filming. Nonetheless, the poster that Mathews cherishes retains the authenticity of its production use, complete with original dart holes embedded in the paper.

Currently, Mathews has the poster preserved behind museum glass on display in his living room. The journey from a mere prop to a cherished keepsake began at the wrap party following the saloon scene. Mathews recounted how his mother approached the propmaster, Glenn Ross, inquiring about the possibility of keeping the poster. After receiving approval, she handed Mathews a pen and assigned him a rather special task: to gather signatures from everyone present at the party.

“‘Go around to everybody in the room and have everybody from this show sign this poster,’” Mathews remembers her direction. The poster eventually collected signatures from cast members, crew, and even extras involved in the show, turning it into a remarkable archive of the people who contributed to the production and nurtured Mathews’ childhood.

As the show was nearing its conclusion, Mathews, very much aware of the bittersweet situation even at the tender age of ten, found himself feeling a mix of sadness and nostalgia. He recalls grappling with the notion that he was bidding farewell to colleagues he had grown fond of and had seen regularly. He told Van Deusen, “I remember being very, very upset because I remember knowing and saying to myself, ‘I’m not going to see these people again, and I don’t know when.’”

To comfort him during this emotional time, Mathews’ mother imparted wisdom about the industry and friendships forged in it, assuring him that while filming might conclude, those bonds would endure. “This is kind of what the business is, honey. You know, you finish and you go on, but you never lose touch with people,” she encouraged, emphasising that these connections would continue to exist, albeit in a different context.

However, one curious aspect of the poster is Mathews’ own omission from the collection of signatures. He candidly admitted on the podcast that at a young age, he simply did not think to include his own name among those he sought, something that has stayed with him over the years.

Now, more than six decades later, Mathews hopes to one day donate this piece of memorabilia to a museum, ensuring that it remains a part of television history. When that moment arrives, he has expressed a desire to remove it from its protective casing and finally sign his name in the space that was left blank, thus completing the circle of this remarkable connection to his childhood.

For Larry Mathews, the WANTED poster is not just a keepsake; it represents a time when he was surrounded by creative geniuses who profoundly impacted his life and career. As he reminisces about his experiences on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the poster serves as a bridge to those moments, preserving the legacy of a beloved television series that continues to resonate with audiences today.