Superman Costumes in the Marketplace Archive: November 2009, Part 2

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”.

There has been a reduction of public sales activity of Superman costumes since the extensive study published in May 2009 (see Superman Costume Comparative Analysis: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. “Super Hollywood”). Two presumably genuine costumes were archived in September and two replicas in October.  Earlier this week (see November 2009, Part 1), Christie’s offered what appeared to be an authentic costume from Superman IV, which sold at auction for £4,375 (US $7,228) including Buyer’s Premium.

Startifacts is currently offering a costume for sale on eBay for $7,500.  Based on a review of the photos, this costume does not appear to be consistent with the confirmed authentic examples that I have personally handled and examined.

eBay Seller: startifacts

Auction Title: “SUPERMAN 3 Christopher Reeve WORN original Hero outfit; Authentic Tunic & Tights Rare Bermans & Nathan tags COA“

Noted Source/Provenance: “The 2 piece Superman costume was acquired directly from producers of the movie. | The authentic 2-piece Superman costume comes complete with a lifetime money back guarantee and a Startifacts notarized certificate of authenticity which guarantees the items full and undeniable authenticity.“

eBay Item #: 220514257669

End Date: 11/28/09

Auction Result: “Buy It Now” $7,500.00; No Bids [Note: Was Originally Listed With an $8,500 “Buy It Now” Price]

Full Auction Archive: “SUPERMAN 3 Christopher Reeve WORN original Hero outfit“

Description:

Startifacts 2009 Annual Rock’in Hollywood Auction Extravaganza

You now can own some of Hollywood’s most sought after memorabilia that is currently available for a limited time only to purchase. For the next two months Startifacts is going to reopen their private vault to the public so you now have the chance to own something from your favorite star that you never thought would be possible.

Startifacts is the worlds leading supplier of authentic Hollywood and Rock-N-Roll artifacts, and was founded by Michael Kronick. Over the past decade Michael has collected a vast amount of rare and very desirable Hollywood/Rock n Roll costumes and props from some of the largest studios, wardrobe houses, and prop makers around. You currently have an extremely rare opportunity to own some of the hottest, most popular, meaningful wardrobes, autographs, instruments, and personal effects of your favorite stars!

Superman 3 Christopher Reeve WORN original Hero outfit

Authentic Tunic & Tights Rare Bermans & Nathan tags

Startifacts presents the original Superman 3 outfit, tunic and tights, worn by Christopher Reeve. The Superman costume from the 1983 superhero film is world wide recognizable. This is your rare opportunity to obtain this iconic memorabilia.

During the movie Superman has different costumes for both “heroic” and “bad” superman. This superman costume is of the “bad” superman.

The superman costume still has the original tag from Bermans & Nathans sown on the interior of the costume. The 2 piece Superman costume was acquired directly from producers of the movie. It is still in excellent condition.

The authentic 2-piece Superman costume comes complete with a lifetime money back guarantee and a Startifacts notarized certificate of authenticity which guarantees the items full and undeniable authenticity.

Hot! Most sought after collection

Startifacts celebrity memorabilia is a company founded by Michael Kronick in the late 1980’s. Over the past decade, Startifacts has become the worlds leading supplier of authentic Hollywood and Rock-N-Roll artifacts. Kronick amassed one of the world’s largest collections of celebrity wardrobe, autographs, instruments, and personal effects.

Growing exponentially

After attending film school in Southern California, Kronick, with help of his older filmmaker brother, began buying up vast amounts of Hollywood costumes and props from some of the countries largest studios, wardrobe houses, and prop makers. At this time, there were no Planet Hollywoods, and the thought of collecting Hollywood artifacts did not exist. Today, celebrity memorabilia is one of, if not the most sought after of all collectibles. Many items acquired decades ago, have retained and surpassed record setting prices, both at auction and private sale. An example of this would be a Superman Christopher Reeve costume which was purchased for $5000 over a decade ago, now commands over ten times its original value.

Huge Productivity

As years went by, Startifacts have been involved with some of the worlds leading auctions and auction houses. From the original Bruce Lee and Grace Kelly auctions to the record setting Kiss auction. Startifact’s contacts within the entertainment industry are unsurpassed. Some of the more notable projects include creating and procuring a multi-million dollar exhibition of original memorabilia for Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal Atlantic City Casino. When Hard Rock Café wanted the only set of Kiss costumes ever sold, it was Startifacts who on behalf of the band Kiss, sold the outfits for a record setting sum. It was startifacts who made worldwide headlines in their quest to acquire the world famous “white bronco” during the infamous O.J Simpson court case. Startifacts has also acquired and brokered multi-millions of dollars worth of genuine autographs and artifacts, from a multitude of celebrities including the likes of, Pamela Anderson, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Ozzy Osbourne, Kurt Cobain, Muhammad Ali, Guns-N-Roses, Iggy Pop, Kiss, Prince, Magic Johnson, and a vast number of others.

Big Business

Startifacts also supplies and has become a leader of both licensed and one of a kind material to dozens of retail stores worldwide including clients in Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia. From unique limited editions such as an original piece of the Titanic to an original electric guitar from Jimi Hendrix.

The Real Deal

All of Startifacts items go through an in depth authentication process, and are guaranteed to be genuine for life.

Making News

Startifacts gets press. Over the past decades, Startifacts and its owner Michael Kronick have been featured in countless television, newspaper, radio, and print medias. Startifacts has been featured in numerous television shows and news articles, including Entertainment tonight, CNN, NBC, ABC News, Fox Television, as well as the New York and L.A. Times, The Las Vegas Sun, Minneapolis Star & Tribune, Autograph Collector, Collecting Magazine, Night Club & Bar Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Ebay Magazine and nearly every weekly publication from the Star to the Globe, to the National Enquirer, and Dozens of Radio Stations worldwide

Marketing Photos:

Limited to a review of the photos above, many of the discrepancies identified in my hands on analysis of multiple authentic and problematic costumes back in May are pertinent in an evaluation of this costume.  Additionally, observations of issues found in a study of many Bermans and Nathans tags in past articles are useful as a point of reference.  Two key articles can be found below:

• Reference:  Superman Costume Comparative Analysis: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. “Super Hollywood”

• Reference:  Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Bermans & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis

Concerns with the costume above include:

• Color of fabric
• Type of fabric
• Placement of “S” emblem
• Size of “S” emblem
• Overall pattern of suit (including cut of neckline)
• Size and pattern of shorts
• Characteristics of Bermans and Nathans tag (including lack of typed information/handwritten information, size, type of fabric, staining, stitching on all four sides)

Additionally, a reader has pointed out an observation that the handwriting style seen in the “Bermans and Nathans” tag on the Startifacts costume is very similar to the handwriting seen written inside of a “Super Hollywood” costume archived in high resolution in past Original Prop Blog articles (see “Super Hollywood” Superman III Costume Case Study: High Resolution Photo Archive & Analysis):

Click for Full Resolution

Also of note, the “startifacts” eBay marketing description references Startifacts founder/owner Michael Kronick, listing a seller location of Minneapolis, MN.  In past articles archiving Superman costumes offered for sale, I have archived eBay listings offered for sale by eBay dealer “kronickentertainment“, also located in Minneapolis, MN.  I do not know if there is a connection, or is this is coincidental.  However, both accounts have also made transactions with some of the same eBay members, such as “universalmusicgroup” and “kiptampa” (based on feedback records).

Past “kronickentertainment” eBay auctions offering Superman costume/costume parts, as archived in past Original Prop Blog articles, can be found below:

• May 13, 2008 – Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: April-May 2008
  

“Superman C. Reeve Worn Movie Costume”

Full Resolution Archive: “Superman C. Reeve Worn Movie Costume“

• October 17, 2008 – Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: October 2008

“SUPERMAN C. REEVE SCREEN WORN COSTUME–COA—NO RESERVE“; “BERMAN & NATHANS LABELS-AMAZING PROVENANCE-100% GENUINE”

Full Auction Archive: “SUPERMAN C. REEVE SCREEN WORN COSTUME–COA—NO RESERVE”

For more information about Superman costumes, please reference:

• Market Watch | Superman

Jason DeBord