This marks the 100th article related to Superman costumes in the marketplace characterized as “original”. This article includes hands on analysis and a new archive of high resolution photos of a Superman costume sold by Armando Alvarez (“Super Hollywood”) and accompanying provenance and eBay and PayPal transaction records from the buyer. This new material is also compared directly with other “Super Hollywood” costumes which have been archived previously.
The following information raises new issues and questions in addition to those already identified with regards to the “Super Hollywood” sourced costumes.
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”.
My intent is to both collect and share information, ask questions, and facilitate dialogue and discussion about Superman costumes in an attempt to help bring more clarity to the marketplace. In this regard, the Original Prop Blog is intended to benefit the hobby at large (collectors, dealers, auction houses, etc.) by sharing and examining information about what has been offered for sale publicly in the marketplace to date.
If something has been sold or offered for sale in the public marketplace, then I feel that public discussion, analysis, and scrutiny of such pieces is appropriate.
“100% Authentic and Original” Superman Costume, “Super Hollywood” (Sold December 2007)
The very first article I published in the ongoing investigation into Superman costumes in the marketplace was January 18, 2008:
One of the “Super Hollywood” eBay auctions (Armando Alvarez’s super38 account) archived in that original article is one that sold in December 2007. I’ve recently been contacted by that buyer, who has sent me the costume he purchased from Armando Alvarez on eBay and accompanying paperwork and details.
eBay Auction Archive
Below is the archive of the original listing for the “100% authentic and original” Superman costume offered for sale on eBay by Armando Alvarez via his super38 account. The listing was altered after the original version was published, changing it to a “Buy It Now” and some other changes. What follows is both versions.
Below is the version as originally listed:
eBay Seller: super38 (“Original”/”Start” Version)
Auction Title: “Superman tunic and trunks Reeve costume Original cape”
Noted Source/Provenance: “…original letter of provenance from the costumer“
End Date: 12/09/07
Auction Result: Starting Bid $1,590.00 – “Buy It Now” $4,999.00
Full Auction Archive: “Superman tunic and trunks Reeve costume Original cape”
Description:
SUPER HOLLYWOOD
Super Hollywood
is offering this 100% Original, Superman tunic with attached red trunks (no cape) from the late 1970’s early 1980’s Superman movies. Christopher Reeve tunic. Please email for any and all questions. This costume comes with original letter of provenance from the costumer. This is a true “Hero” costume iconic piece. For the Superman collector. 100% authentic and original. We are opening the vault of various movie collectables from the last 12 years that we’ve aquired.
NO BUYERS PREMIUM, DIRECT FROM ORIGINAL OWNER.
Marketing Photo:
The following is the revised listing, as it appeared following the “Buy It Now”:
eBay Seller: super38 (“Revised”/”End” Version)
Auction Title: “Superman tunic and trunks Reeve costume Original cape”
Noted Source/Provenance: “…original letter of provenance from the costumer“
End Date: 12/07/07
Auction Result: Sold to “bluehaunsas” for $3,990.00 via “Buy It Now”
Full Auction Archive: “Superman tunic and trunks Reeve costume Original cape”
Added To Original Description:
SPECIAL NOTE: PRICE ON BUY IT NOW WILL BE ADJUSTED LATER TODAY TO REFLECT ADDITIONAL PIECES TO $5,990. PRICE WILL BE CHANGED WITHIN 24 HOURS. WILL HONOR THE SPECIAL BUY IT NOW PRICE WHILE IT IS STILL ACTIVE. SPECIAL: WITH BUY IT NOW WILL INCLUDE ORIGINAL CAPE AND LEGGINGS.
PayPal Transaction Records Archive
The buyer of this costume and winner of the auction has sent me the PayPal Transaction Record showing payment made for this item, paid on the same date as the end of the auction. Certain details have been blacked out.
PayPal Transaction Details Record
Below is a side-by-side presentation of the “Buy It Now” eBay auction and PayPal transaction details, showing that the eBay item number, auction title, price, seller, and date all match:
Note that the PayPal record includes details as to shipment method – the merchandise was shipped to the buyer using the United States Postal Service.
“Super Hollywood” Provenance
The buyer of this “Super Hollywood” Superman costume sent me the costume along with the following documents, which were included with the costume purchased on eBay, paid for with PayPal, and shipped via the United States Postal Service.
Copy of eBay Listing Archive – Costume Sold By Profiles in History 12/16/05 (with Ana Mungia letter of provenance)
The costume consigned to Profiles in History sold for $27, 500.00. If the implication is that the costume sold by Profiles and the costume sold on eBay are equivalent, it would be the question: why sell a costume for $3,990.00 if you could consign it to Profiles and sell it for 6-7 times that amount?
Copy of “Area Outfitters…” Article from Revue Magazine
Also included is a scan and copy of the article, “Area Outfitters Dress Up The Industry” from Revue Magazine dated August 1989:
A scan of this article was also included with the “queenrocks” costume with “Super Hollywood” provenance that has been the subject of numerous previous articles:
- High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: Super Hollywood “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”
- Superman, Superboy, and Disney’s Creative Costuming
Letter of Authenticity, Anastasia Salkind
Below is a scan of the original document sent to me with this Superman costume:
Following is the text from the letter of authenticity:
This Superman movie costume is believed to be one of the original Christopher Reeve Superman principal costumes from our movie of the early 1980’s: Superman III. It is one of the hero costumes and consists of : red wool cape with attached two red straps and yellow S emblem on reverse side, inscription Christopher. Baby blue tunic with red and yellow S emblem and attached red trunks with red belt loops. Matching baby blue leggings. Written inscription, Christopher Reeves SM III along with production number.
I am releasing a few of the items from my personal collection to private collectors.
As noted in a previous article (see Superman Costume Market Watch & Analysis: More On Antiquities of Las Vegas, Super Hollywood, Ana Mugia, MGM Studios), I was contacted by Ms. Salkind via telephone in October, and she stated quite emphatically that she has only drafted one letter of authenticity.
In addition to this example above (currently in my custody), I have found a number of scans and photos of other letters attached to Superman costumes and costume components in the marketplace. Below is a compilation of those other letters:
As noted in a recent article (see Super Hollywood “Gift” Letter of Authenticity Archive (Armando Alvarez, Ana Mungia)), there are a number of “Super Hollywood” costumes and costume parts in the marketplace with letters of authenticity from Armando Alvarez and Ana Mungia that are characterized as “gifts” from the Salkind family.
High Resolution Photography Archive: “Super Hollywood” Superman III Costume
Below are photos I have taken of the “Superman III” costume which was loaned to me for this purpose. Photos have not been Photoshop-corrected/enhanced, so lighting in some photos is superior compared with others.
Click on each image for the high resolution version of each photo:
I did not take any photos of this costume on a mannequin, as it would be an exercise in redundancy, in that the material and pattern is identical to another “Super Hollywood” costume (sold on eBay by “queenrocks”) already personally examined and photographed by me and archived on the OPB.
“Super Hollywood” Superman III Costume vs. “Super Hollywood” Superman: The Movie Costume
This section includes photos I have taken of the “Superman III” costume compared with the “Superman: The Movie” costume previously examined in a prior article. Both costumes originate from Armando Alvarez, AKA “Super Hollywood.
“Super Hollywood” Superman: The Movie Costume
This second “Super Hollywood” costume was the subject of previous articles archiving high resolution photography (stand alone and compared with yet another “Super Hollywood” costume):
- High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: Super Hollywood “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”
- High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Super Hollywood” Superman Costume Photo Comparison
Below is a high resolution scan of the actual “Super Hollywood” Letter of Authenticity, signed by Ana Mungia, that accompanied this second costume:
As with the Superman III costume that is the subject of this case study, the “Super Hollywood” Superman: The Movie costume also included a copy of the “Area Outfitters Dress Up The Industry” article from Revue Magazine:
Interesting, though one “Super Hollywood” costume is attributed to Superman: The Movie and the other is attributed to Superman III, they are made of the same materials, using the same pattern, and reflect the same low quality in materials and craftsmanship.
As can be seen in this close-up photo, the type and color of the material (which are discrepant from the confirmed authentic examples review on this site) are identical:
What follows are a number of high resolution photos comparing the “Superman: The Movie” and “Superman III” costumes sold by “Super Hollywood”. Some photos include annotations. Photos have not been Photoshop-corrected/enhanced, so lighting in some photos is superior compared with others.
Click on each image for the high resolution version of each photo:
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT); the Superman III costume is longer from top to bottom.
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (BOTTOM) and “Superman: The Movie” (TOP)
NOTE: “Superman III” (BOTTOM) and “Superman: The Movie” (TOP); zippers are the exact same brand, color, and style
NOTE: “Superman III” (BOTTOM) and “Superman: The Movie” (TOP); clasps are the exact same style (though flipped in position)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT) – writing is in lining of shorts
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (BOTTOM) and “Superman: The Movie” (TOP)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
NOTE: “Superman III” (LEFT) and “Superman: The Movie” (RIGHT)
Below are some additional photos which compare the two “Super Hollywood” costumes above to the first one photographed and archived for the OPB. Full coverage of this third costume can be found in the article below:
As noted, the second and third costumes have already been compared to one another:
Below are new three-way comparison photos.
Click on each image for the high resolution version of each photo:
The newly loaned “Superman III” costume that is the subject of this article included a cape, so I have also produced some comparison photographs with the other “Superman III” costume (the lighter blue copy).
Click on each image for the high resolution version of each photo:
The “Super Hollywood” Style Costume?
This is the 100th Original Prop Blog article under the Market Watch | Superman category.
I have yet to see a screencapture, still, or publicity photo from Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Superman III, or Superman IV that resembles these “Super Hollywood” costumes which I’ve personally examined. Nor do they compare favorably with photos of those few confirmed authentic examples which have been covered in these ongoing articles and additional photos shared with me confidentially which have not been published on this site.
Jason De Bord