Signature House (on eBay and their own website) is offering a number of movie and television props and wardrobe items for sale on eBay Live Auctions, in their Auction XXXV – Autographs & Memorabilia Auction, with live bidding on October 11-12, 2008. In addition to a few of my own questions and observations, a number of collectors have shared some information with me that warrants commentary about some of these offerings to the marketplace.
Superman Auctions
Of the two Superman-related listings in the Signature House auction, the first is a cape attributed to the Adventures of Superman television program (1952-1958) starring George Reeves.
Auction Title: “0871: SUPERMAN GEORGE REEVES WARDROBE CAPE”
Noted Source/Provenance: “Accompanied by letter of provenance signed by the vice-president on company letterhead, Dec 29, 1975”
eBay Item #: 260291377563
End Date: 10/12/08
Auction Result: Starts at $1,000, Estimate $2,000-$6,000
Full Auction Archive: “0871: SUPERMAN GEORGE REEVES WARDROBE CAPE”
Description:
871. [ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN] Popular 1950s cult television series starring George Reeves (1914-1959) in the title role, inspired a very successful film series in the 1970s. Brown cape with dark brown “S” emblem on cream background, one of the first original costumes made by Western Costume Company, Hollywood, for George Reeves during the first two seasons when it was being filmed in black and white. Accompanied by letter of provenance signed by the vice-president on company letterhead, Dec 29, 1975. Est: $2000-6000
Marketing Photo:
Mario Kirner of Hollywood at Home made an astute observation on the Movie Prop Forum, noting that the letter described in the Signature House auction listing marketing remarks identifies the same source and date (more than 30 years ago) as a letter on display attached to another Superman cape offered for sale at “Antiquities” in Las Vegas (see prior coverage: Superman Costume in the Marketplace – “Antiquities” in Las Vegas).
This cape is currently offered for sale on the “Antiquities” website for $59,995.00 – Antiquities Superman George Reeves Cape – as archived below:
Below are photos of the “Antiquities” cape and letter sent to me previously by multiple collectors (the same cape and letter is featured in all photos):
The letter reads:
WESTERN COSTUME CO.
WORLD’S LARGEST COSTUMES
5335 MELROSE AVENUE
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. 90038
TELEPHONE (213) 489-145112/29/75
To whom it may concern:
The George Reeves Superman cape, shown to me today, is one of the original items made by Western Costume Company during the run of that series. The cape is raw sild with red color, also red and yellow S shield sewn on reverse side.
Sincerely,
Robert Niewoehner
Vice-President
Note that the date of the Western Costume Co. letter on display at “Antiquities” in Las Vegas – 12/29/75 – matches the date referenced in the Signature House cape offered for sale on eBay – “Dec 29, 1975” – both signed by the Vice-President.
However, the capes depicted in the two photos do not match:
As a further point of reference, below is a scan of a George Reeves Superman cape from the Superman: The Complete History by Les Daniels, photography by Geoff Spear:
While I do not personally know anything about the television program, Adventures of Superman, it is clear that the capes depicted in the three photos do not resemble one another. Having said that, it was on the air for many years, and episodes were produced in both black and white and color (Black and White (1952-1954) | Color (1955-1958), per IMDb).
Also of note, per the “fearless_green” Reader Comment published in response to another article today (see “One of a Kind” Krypton Baby Superman Blanket – Update):
fearless_green on October 4th, 2008 2:12 pm
This blanket was part of a collection of props and wardrobe that are currently being sold on ebay by Signature House. For verification please check out Item number: #260291377563. The collector who owned my superman blanket also owned and is selling this superman cape and Marlon Brando robe. All of these items appear authentic and credible like the blanket. Also, the first owner of the blanket had most of his collection authenticated by none other than Margot kidder who viewed most of these items and even signed certain pieces. I still have a photo of Margot Kidder signing many of this collector’s pieces (which he sent me). I have no reason to believe it is a fake, or dubious based on the other pieces in this collection, and the sterling character of the two owners of the blanket.
Below is an archive of the second Superman-related auction listing referenced in the comment:
Auction Title: “0872: ROBE WORN BY MARLON BRANDO IN “SUPERMAN” FILM”
Noted Source/Provenance: Not Provided
eBay Item #: 260291377569
End Date: 10/12/08
Auction Result: Starts at $1,000, Estimate $2,000-$5,000
Daniel Green also stated, with regard to the Superman blanket on the ScreenCaptured website:
The Superman blanket was sold along with several other original items to a collector in Las Vegas.
As a side note, and perhaps completely unrelated (but such is the state of affairs with unnamed sources of props), in inquiring recently about the source of the Clark Kent costume offered for sale on eBay and written about a few weeks ago (see Superman “Clark Kent” Suit, Berman & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis), the seller responded to the inquiry about the source of the costume as follows:
Dear jdebord,
The collector in Vegas. Thank you for your interest.
PH.
– belairbeauty
I asked for more specificity, and received no further replies.
Indiana Jones “Temple of Doom” Fedora
Auction Title: “0869: AUTHENTIC INDIANA JONES “TEMPLE OF DOOM” FEDORA”
Noted Source/Provenance: “Accompanied by LOA from original owner stating he had purchased the hat from Sotheby’s in 1999”
eBay Item #: 280270435105
End Date: 10/12/08
Auction Result: Starts at $2,500, Estimate $5,000-$8,000
Full Auction Archive: “0869: AUTHENTIC INDIANA JONES “TEMPLE OF DOOM” FEDORA”
Description:
869. [INDIANA JONES FEDORA] George Lucas’ second film in the blockbuster series that made Indy’s fedora, bullwhip and leather jacket one of the most recognizable costumes in recent film history was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Offered is the brown Stetson fedora worn in this film. Some of the lettering on the inside leather headband is worn, the light partial name “INDI” lettering can still be viewed on rear. The crown of the silk lining is also dampstained. There are a few light marks; else in very nice condition. Accompanied by LOA from original owner stating he had purchased the hat from Sotheby’s in 1999. It had been displayed at the famed Sands Hotel and Casino original movie memorabilia wing in Atlantic City until the display was closed and the props and costumes consigned to Sotheby’s. Est: $5000-8000
Marketing Photo:
The only 1999 Sotheby’s auction event that I’ve been able to confirm, related to film and television memorabilia, is one in May 1999 in the UK, and there was no lot offering a hat from any Indiana Jones films.
A collector who bought a significant item from the Sands Hotel and Casino at the time of the liquidation of its memorabilia does not recollect the offering of any Indiana Jones hat.
Additionally, per a collector with an original Indy fedora, the majority of the ones used in the film were made by Herbert Johnson, but that Stetson made officially licensed replicas offered for sale to the public. I’ve verified this information from several other sources.
From the Indiana Jones Wiki (LINK):
With the filming of Temple of Doom, the Indy hat took a few twists of its own. Herbert Johnson didn’t use a new model to create their Indy hats. What most people think is that Stetson also provided Indy’s hat. This is one of the more common rumours; they did not provide any hat for this movie. Again all Indy’s famous lids came from Herbert Johnson. This movie’s hat showed a lot of resemblance to the Raiders hat, yet missing the tight front pinch.
While Temple of Doom was playing in the theatres, fedoras were produced commercially in conjunction with its release. Stetson had their hats crafted in two locations, Austria and the United States. The Austria hats were noticeably different, made with a finer quality of felt, not coarse, like the U.S. versions. In 1988 Stetson stopped selling their Indy hats, and let their license of the hats expire right before Last Crusade started filming.
Below is a photo from Signature House obtained by another collector:
Charlie Chaplin Cane
Auction Title: “0873: CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S BAMBOO CANE”
Noted Source/Provenance: “According to accompanying letter of provenance it was acquired at MGM/Warner Brothers auction in St. Louis, MO, in 1991”
eBay Item #: 280270435127
End Date: 10/12/08
Auction Result: Starts at $450, Estimate $900-$1,800
Full Auction Archive: “0873: CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S BAMBOO CANE”
Marketing Description:
873. [CHARLIE CHAPLIN] (1889-1977). English film actor, director, producer and composer famed for his childlike “tramp” character in silent films. He was knighted in 1975. One of 12 bamboo canes he used in his classic silent films. According to accompanying letter of provenance it was acquired at MGM/Warner Brothers auction in St. Louis, MO, in 1991. According to the letter, the auctioneer stated it was from his 1925 film Gold Rush. Excellent condition. Est: $900-1800
Marketing Photo:
Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars shared a few observations with me in regards to this auction – an excerpt:
Chaplin produced and was the sole owner of all feature films, shot at his own studio but released by United Artists. He was denied reentry into this country in 1952, after which the sale of the remaining studio property was managed by Chaplin’s cinematographer of 35 years, Rollie Tolleroh. The one cane I owned had a wired on tag, with the name of Alf Reeves (Chaplin’s Studio manager) and the embossed “Chaplin Corp.” seal pressed on.
Below is a photo compilation provided by Rick, followed by comments:
On his canes, one compares the knots by count and size. Most modern copies are smooth and thinner.
The cited provenance in the marketing remarks prompts the questions, why would their be a joint MGM/Warner Bros. auction in 1991, in St. Louis; does anyone have any records of such an event and how/why would there be a Charlie Chaplin cane available?
Again, these are all merely observations and questions about these items offered for sale to the public via auction.
Jason De Bord
Additional Related Articles: Market Watch | Superman