Bonhams “Superman IV Flying Suit” (June 2008 Auction)

The upcoming Bonhams June 18, 2008 “Entertainment Memorabilia” auction held at Knightsbridge (see article) features a Superman costume attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the fourth installment of the film series, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

The Bonhams site features Flash technology so that interested parties can zoom in on the supplied photo for more detail; while time consuming, it is possible to then piece together a larger, higher resolution photo using Photoshop, which I have done to take a closer look at this costume.

It is part of Sale 15801, Lot 108: LINK

The description reads:

Lot No: 108
A Christopher Reeve costume from ‘Superman IV: The Quest For Peace’, 1987, comprising: leotard in pale blue stretch polyester, front with Superman logo and shoulders with four stud-fasteners; matching leggings; scarlet trunks, each with Bermans & Nathans label marked Christopher Reeve 4913 Flying Superman IV, that in the leggings also inscribed CF2

Estimate: £2,000 – 3,000

Limiting analysis to the single photo, what follows are a few observations and comparisons.

This is the single photo available in the auction:

High Resolution Archive: Bonhams Superman IV Flying Suit

While even at higher resolutions, it is still difficult to see the necessary detail. This costume does appear to have heavier blue fabric with a larger weave, as has been observed with the Superman costumes that had Warner Bros. COAs (such as the Prop Store “Superman III Flying Suit” sold in February 2008, the “Prop Store Collection” costume currently on display at the Movieum, and the ScreenUsed “Superman III Bodysuit” sold on their website some time ago). I cannot tell from the photos if it is the same fabric/weave, but it certainly differs significantly from the “Superman III Reference Costume” that I published high resolution photos of (see “Photo Reference Archive“).

Here is a comparison showing the photo of the costume now being offered at auction by Bonhams, a scan of the publicity still from the upcoming June 2008 Bonhams auction in Los Angeles, the “Prop Store Collection” costume currently on display at the Movieum, and the “Superman III Reference Costume”:

High Resolution Archive: Superman Costume Comparison

One other point of comparison – the cut of the neckline on the Bonhams “Superman IV Flying Suit” and the “Superman III Flying Suit” sold by Prop Store of London earlier this year are similar:

High Resolution Archive: Bonhams “Superman IV Flying Suit” v Prop Store of London “Superman III Flying Suit”

I can’t say whether the piece offered by Bonhams truly matches the publicity photo and/or the Warner Bros. COA pedigree pieces, or if the fabric type is the same, but it definitely differs from the “Superman III Reference Costume” in a number of ways.

If I obtain any additional information about this suit, I will post a follow-up article.

Jason De Bord

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