I started asking questions about Superman costumes in the marketplace, attributed to the Christopher Reeve films of the 70s and 80s, over two years ago. Since, I have published over 100 related articles, asking questions and sharing information and insights – all in an attempt to bring clarity to the marketplace and empower collectors and other interested parties with more information with which to make their own assessments and conclusions. [Read more…]
“Hands On” Superman Costume Comparative Analysis In Development: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. “Super Hollywood”
I spent the day in Burbank yesterday, performing a “hands on” analysis and comparison of confirmed authentic costumes (two recently released from the Warner Bros. Archives) from multiple Superman films starring Christopher Reeve (Superman II, III, and IV) with the three “Super Hollywood” costumes examined in a recent article (see “Super Hollywood” Superman III Costume Case Study: High Resolution Photo Archive & Analysis). A substantive article is under development that will include the results of this analysis and high resolution comparison photos. [Read more…]
“Super Hollywood” Superman III Costume Case Study: High Resolution Photo Archive & Analysis
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 This new material is also compared directly with other “Super Hollywood” costumes which have been archived previously. [Read more…]
Super Hollywood “Gift” Letter of Authenticity Archive (Armando Alvarez, Ana Mungia)
Over the past two years, I have archived a number of examples 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” that include provenance from “Super Hollywood” (signed by both Armando Alvarez and Ana Mungia). [Read more…]
Superman Celebration 2006 & 2008 Auctions: “Disney MGM Studios”?
A collector has sent me photos from the “Superman Celebration 2006″ and Superman Celebration 2008” events, both of which featured live auctions for Superman costumes/costume parts marketed as original and authentic from the Superman films of the 70s and 80s staring Christopher Reeve. Interestingly, these auctions and costume parts relate back to previous OPB articles. [Read more…]
Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Bermans & Nathans Wardrobe Tag Analysis
Bermans & Nathans of England (acquired by Angels Costumiers in 1992) made the costumes worn by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s. As such, one of the components of provenance and authenticity are the wardrobe or asset tags affixed to costumes at the time of production. Of the confirmed authentic costumes I am aware of, these pieces have wardrobe tags. However, some costumes which have been trading in the marketplace exhibit tags that are not consistent with photos of authentic tags I have assembled for my own reference. [Read more…]