Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: March 2009
March 22, 2009 by Jason DeBord
This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as “original” and “authentic”.
eBay Seller: super38
Auction Title: “Superman original blue tunic Chris Reeve costume Movie”
Noted Source/Provenance: “Original Superman tunic with COA. No tag”
eBay Item #: 260381923164
End Date: 03/29/09
Auction Result: Starting Bid $1,490.00, “Buy It Now” Price $3,599.00
Full Auction Archive: “Superman original blue tunic Chris Reeve costume Movie”
Description:
Original Superman tunic with COA. No tag. Please email any and all questions. Will ship worldwide. Please email for shipping quote. Late 1970′s early 1980′s.
Marketing Photo:
Notes/Commentary/Analysis:
As seen in the photo above, there is yet another second presumably “original” Superman tunic adjacent to the one featured in this auction, in that there is a sleeve made of the same incorrect material that is another color blue that does not match those costumes as seen in the Superman films:
Further, this costume currently offered by Armando Alvarez (Super Hollywood, super38 on eBay) matches a costume that also included a Super Hollywood LOA bearing an “Ana Mungia” signature which has been the subject of past articles:
Directly Related Articles:
- January 2008: Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update
- January 2008: Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update 2
- March 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Original Superman III Christopher Reeve Costume”
- May 2008: Superman, Superboy, and Disney’s Creative Costuming
- September 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Super Hollywood” Superman Costume Photo Comparison
- October 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: Super Hollywood “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”
- January 2009: Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: January 2009, Part 2
- February 2009: Superman Costume Market Watch & Analysis: More On Antiquities of Las Vegas, Super Hollywood, Ana Mugia, MGM Studios
As had been noted in past articles, the Super Hollywood costume does not match the costumes seen on screen in the films.
In my opinion, when comparing with the screencapture below, the type of fabric used is incorrect, the color is incorrect, the size/placement of the “S” emblem is incorrect, the belt loops on the shorts are too wide, the length of the sides of the shorts are significantly too long, the cut of the neck area is incorrect, etc.
Also, as noted many times, a genuine Superman tunic worn in the Christopher Reeve films would have a market value of tens of thousands of dollars. The last “Super Hollywood” copy sold in last month for $1,125.00:
Auction Title: “Superman III dirty tunic Reeve no tag NO RES costume”
Noted Source/Provenance: “COA Excellent!”
eBay Item #: 260359631479
End Date: 02/15/09
Auction Result: Ended, Sold For $1,125.00, 4 Bids
Full Auction Archive: “Superman III dirty tunic Reeve no tag NO RES costume”
eBay Seller: super38
Auction Title: “Superman Walking wool cape Costume Reeve original red”; “With original Berman tag 100% email questions!”
Noted Source/Provenance: “Comes with original COA”
eBay Item #: 250394493797
End Date: 04/01/09
Auction Result: Starting Bid $999.00, “Buy It Now” Price $2,490
Full Auction Archive: “Superman Walking wool cape Costume Reeve original red”
Description:
This is the heavy red wool cape with original tag. 100% authentic and original. Will ship worldwide. Please email for shipping quote. Comes with original COA. Please email any and all questions. Superman the movie Christopher Reeve walking cape. Note, glare on cape is from reflection on camera lens, is not on actual cape. Good Luck.
Marketing Photo:
Notes/Commentary/Analysis:
The most recent “original” Superman cape offered by Armando Alvarez via the “super38″ account was listed with a $699.00 starting bid but was withdrawn as “no longer available for sale” last month:
- February 2009: Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: February 2009, Part 1
An item was sold using the exact same photo in December 2008 for $899.00 with one private bid.
eBay Seller: cupidsarrow08
Auction Title: “Superman Cape from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Noted Source/Provenance: “The letter of authenticity is from Anna Mungia the head costumer from MGM/DISNEY. It also comes with a letter from Armondo Alverez (Super Hollywood) who originally received it from Ana Mungia.”
eBay Item #: 250391999212
End Date: 02/28/09
Auction Result: Starting Bid C $100, Currently C $305.00 with 5 Bids
Full Auction Archive: “Superman Cape from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Description:
This is the “dirty” Superman cape from Superman 3. This movie is best known for the scene when superman is fighting himself in the junkyard. the cape is the darker one from the evil superman. The letter of authenticity is from Anna Mungia the head costumer from MGM/DISNEY. It also comes with a letter from Armondo Alverez (Super Hollywood) who originally received it from Ana Mungia. I was looking for 1800 or best offer.
Marketing Photos:
Notes/Commentary/Analysis:
The “Super Hollywood” Letter of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
Nov. 18th 2008
Regarding:
Superman Dirty Cape
Reeve 1980sThis dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990′s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious. This cape, without tag or inscription is believed to be one of the ‘dirty’ capes from the Christopher Reeve Superman movie of the early 1980′s: Superman III . Various colors shades used were for cinematic effects.
Maroon Cape with tag and costume is sold collector to collector with no rights given or implied.
Much enjoyment on your wonderful piece.
Sincerely,
Armando Alvarez
Super Hollywood
The “Ana Mungia” Letter of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
December 19, 2007
The Dark maroon Superman cape without tag, or inscription is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980′s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series.
The above is true and correct.
Ana Mungia
MGM/Disney Studios
Interesting, taking the two letters at face value, that the Alvarez letter claims the cape was given to him in the early 1990s yet the Mungia letter is dated 2007.
As is the case with most “Ana Mungia” letters, the signature is discrepant with other examples. This has been analyzed in past articles and will be examined in more depth in a future article.
Is this “cupidsarrow08″ Super Hollywood cape with the November 2008 Letter of Authenticity from Armando Alvarez the same cape sold by Armando Alvarez via his “super38″ eBay account on December 14, 2008?
Or is it the same cape offered for sale on eBay via Armando Alvarez’s “super38″ eBay account in February 2009 which was ended early as “no longer available for sale”?
Or is it another “original” Superman cape sold by Armando Alvarez in the past three months?
eBay Seller: cupidsarrow08
Auction Title: “Superman suite from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Noted Source/Provenance: “The letter of authenticity is from Anna Mungia the head costumer from MGM/DISNEY. It also comes with a letter from Armondo Alverez (Super Hollywood) who originally received it from Ana Mungia.”
eBay Item #: 250392781738
End Date: 02/29/09
Auction Result: Starting Bid C $100.00, “Buy It Now” Price C $6,500.00
Full Auction Archive: “Superman suit from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Description:
This is the “dirty” Superman suit is from Superman 3. This movie is best known for the scene when superman is fighting himself in the junkyard. There were different stages of colours as the suit turns darker gradually through the movie. The tunic and the leggings are from the earlier stages as they are a dark blue, yellow and dark red. The belt is believed to be used through the flying scenes in the last stages before the junkyard scene as it is the darkest yellow. The cape is also used in the earlier stages as it is a dark red and not maroon. I have another listing here on ebay for a cape which is noticeably darker that was used at the end stages of the colour change. It is maroon in colour. The letter of authenticity is from Anna Mungia the head costumer from MGM/DISNEY. It also comes with a letter from Armondo Alverez (Super Hollywood) who originally received it from Ana Mungia. I was looking for $6500 or best offer.
Marketing Photos:
Notes/Commentary/Analysis:
The first of two “Super Hollywood” Letters of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
Nov. 18th 2008
Regarding:
Superman Dirty costume with Cape
Reeve 1980′sThis dark maroon Superman costume, Christopher Reeve with maroon cape from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990′s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious. This cape and tunic, with tag’s are believed to be one of the ‘dirty’ costumes from the Christopher Reeve Superman movie of the early 1980′s: Superman III .
Maroon Cape with tag and costume, consisting of dark blue tunic with maroon trunks attached, dark blue leggings, is sold collector to collector with no rights given or implied.
Much enjoyment on your wonderful piece.
Sincerely,
Armando Alvarez
Super Hollywood
The second of two “Super Hollywood” Letters of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
Nov. 18th 2008
Regarding:
Superman Dirty Cape
Reeve 1980′sThis dark maroon Superman cape, Christopher Reeve, from Superman III, was given to me in the early 1990′s by the head costumer at Disney/MGM studios. During that time various Superman Christopher Reeve items were given to the costumer to be used as models for the Superboy costumes filmed at MGM studious. This cape, with tag is believed to be one of the ‘dirty’ costumes from the Christopher Reeve Superman movie of the early 1980′s: Superman III .
Maroon Cape with tag and costume is sold collector to collector with no rights given or implied.
Much enjoyment on your wonderful piece.
Sincerely,
Armando Alvarez
Super Hollywood
The first of two “Ana Mungia” Letters of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
December 19, 2007
The red Superman cape with Berman tag is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980′s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series.
The above is true and correct.
Ana Mungia
MGM/Disney Studios
The second of two “Ana Mungia” Letters of Authenticity depicted in the photos above reads:
December 19, 2007
Superman III
Tunic and cape
The Dirty Superman costume, dark blue tunic with maroon attached trunks with Berman tag, dark blue leggings without tag, Maroon cape with gold S emblem is one of the items given to me in the mid 1980′s during the filming of the Adventures of Superboy in Orlando Florida. I was working for MGM/Disney studios and subcontracted out to the Superman production for the Superboy costumes. Christopher Reeve items where used as models for the Florida series. Various shades were used to create the “dirty” costume effect.
The above is true and correct.
Ana Mungia
MGM/Disney Studios
The letters exhibit the same issues and raise the same questions as the letters found in the other “cupidsarrow08″ auction above.
In my opinion, the costume itself exhibits a number of issues that are discrepant and irreconcilable with those costumes that have been confirmed authentic as well as what is seen on screen in the films.
The most significant issue is with the type of fabric used to construct the costume. The genuine fabric and comparisons with alternate fabric have been analyzed in depth in previous articles, most notably in the following:
- March 2008: Original Superman Costume Reference Archive: Fabric Comparison
- March 2008: “Prop Store Collection” Superman Costume, Fabric Discussion Continued, Part 1
- April 2008: “Prop Store Collection” Superman Costume, Fabric Discussion Continued, Part 2
- April 2008: “Prop Store Collection” Superman Costume, Fabric Discussion Continued, Part 3
Two examples of this style of costume, generally viewed to be inauthentic, have been evaluated and photographed in past articles:
- October 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: Super Hollywood “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”
- September 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Super Hollywood” Superman Costume Photo Comparison
- March 2008: High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Original Superman III Christopher Reeve Costume”
This example exhibits many of the same issues as outlined above with regards to the tunic concurrently listed for sale on eBay via Armando Alvarez’s “super38″ account.
Also problematic is the color of these costumes, which has been discussed in more detail in a prior article:
- August 2008: Superman Costume Color Analysis & Reference: BLUE
Another feature which appears discrepant with confirmed authentic examples are the Bermans and Nathans wardrobe tags, discussed in detail in the following previous article:
While this particular costume is attributed to “Superman III” and the “dirty” or “evil” style employed in the film, that cannot explain these substantive discrepancies. One such costume has previously come to market which is more consistent with the features and traits of confirmed authentic examples. The costume currently offered for sale on eBay by “cupidsarrow08″ differs from this “billybats11″ “Evil Superman” costume sold at auction on eBay in December 2007:
As an example, the “billybats11″ version of hte “Evil Superman” costume appears to be made of the correct fabric and the colors more closely resemble those seen on screen in the film.
The costume offered for sale does not match what is seen in the film, Superman III:
I also have in my possession photos of a full “Evil Superman” costume and cape from the Warner Bros. archives with genuine wardrobe/asset tagging (none of which have been published on the Original Prop Blog) and it does not in any way resemble (an appearance, materials, colors, pattern, etc.) this costume with letters of authenticity from Super Hollywood/Armando Alvarez/Ana Mungia.
For more information, please reference:
Jason De Bord
This S shield isn’t even close:
Update:
eBay Seller: cupidsarrow08
Auction Title: “Superman Cape from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Result: Sold for $659.90 with 21 bids – winning bidder 0 feedback and NARU status
Jason De Bord
Update:
eBay Seller: cupidsarrow08
Auction Title: “Superman suite from Superman 3 Christopher Reeve”
Result: Sold for $4,536.83 with 32 bids
Jason De Bord