Superman Costumes in the Marketplace Archive: April – July 2010

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”.

As part of their “Hollywood Legends” catalog for their Summer Sale event last month, Julien’s Auctions offered a costume attributed to Superman IV at auction.  This piece sold for $32,500.  Based on the description, photos, and additional photos I have obtained, this example is absolutely consistent with the confirmed original costumes that I have personally examined in every detail.

The full description and catalog can be found on their official website, JuliensAuctions.com, in their interactive online catalog (page 224-225, Lot 1001).

Auction House: Julien’s Auctions

Auction Title: “CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN IV COSTUME“

Noted Source/Provenance: Extensive – See Full Catalog Auction Description Below

Item #: Hollywood Legends, Summer 2010, Lot 1001

End Date: 06/26/10

Auction Result: Estimate $15,000.00-$20,000 – Sold for $32,500

Full Auction Archive: “CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN IV COSTUME”

Description:

1001

CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN IV COSTUME

A custom Superman costume created for Christopher Reeve in the film Superman IV The Quest for Peace, including cape, bodysuit, and tights. The bodysuit and tights each contain labels reading, “Christopher Reeve 4913 Walking Superman IV”; the cape contains an identical label but with Reeve’s name misspelled “Reeves.” The fabric type used for the bodysuit, tights, and “S” shields all display the knit weave consistent with the fabric manufactured for the original Superman costumes as show in the detail fabric. The custom fabric displays a unique shimmering quality and is pliant. This costume is consistent in all manner of construction and material with the costumes used on the film. The neckline of the bodysuit perfectly matches the shape and curve of those seen on screen; the shape of the “S” has neatly rounded edges, and is made with overlocked seams on the reverse side of the fabric; the bodysuit zipper and cape snaps are also consistent with those used on the film’s costumes. The feet of the tights are seamlessly woven into the tights using a softer, more comfortable material. The bodysuit has two white cotton strips of fabric with handwriting reading “CW3” sewn on the reverse side of the fabric beneath the cape snaps to alleviate skin irritation. The bodysuit also features two black pads loosely sewn into the underarm area to prevent perspiration from reaching the bodysuit fabric. The bodysuit comes from Terry Apsey, who has well over 100 screen credits as a “construction manager.” He received official credit as “construction manager” for Superman II but did not receive screen credit for his work on Superman IV and recalls that because the stuio had no plans for any further Superman movies, all of the props, costumes, and accessories were placed in storage. Apsey was given the task of dismantling the sets and distributing and discarding other film related items. As part of this distribution, Apsey received the Superman suit, and he has had it in storage since that time.

$15,000 – $20,000

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will benefit The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy.

Collector Photos:

Below are photos from Planet Hollywood, where the auction took place, taken by friends of the Original Prop Blog:

As archived previously, Startifacts continues to list and relist the same costume for sale on eBay, though the price had been reduced following a failed sale and subsequent relists, dropping the “Buy It Now” price from $8,500 to thousands less, most recently for $3,250. 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.

Additional details and analysis can be found in the previous installment of Superman Costumes in the Marketplace Archive.

eBay Seller: startifacts

Auction Title: “SUPERMAN 3 CHRISTOPHER REEVE DOCUMENTED WORN COSTUME“

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 #: 220628885358

End Date: 07/07/10

Auction Result: Buy it Now of $3,250; Ended with No Bids

Full Auction Archive: “SUPERMAN 3 CHRISTOPHER REEVE DOCUMENTED WORN COSTUME“

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!

RELISTED DUE TO NON PAYING BIDDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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:

For more information about Superman costumes, please reference Market Watch | Superman

Jason DeBord