This is a companion article to several previous features. This article includes an archive of high resolution photos of the costume previously designated the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”. In addition to photos of the costume itself, photos and analysis of the accompanying Super Hollywood (super38, Armando Alvarez, Ana Mungia) Letter of Authenticity also follows below. [Read more…]
In January 2008, a costume offered for sale on eBay was described as an “Authentic Original Costume” worn in Superman: The Movie by Christopher Reeve, which was supported by the “Super Hollywood” Letter of Authenticity that accompanied it. This auction was archived in Original Prop Blog articles at the time (see Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Update & Update 2). [Read more…]
Given the British High Court ruling on the case of Lucasfilm vs. Andrew Ainsworth (see Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice), and the additional information available from the court documents, I thought it would be a good opportunity to build on the prior OPB article exploring the “prototype” Stormtrooper helmets (see Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets) trading in the marketplace as original and authentic precursors to the helmets used on set and filmed in Star Wars: A New Hope. [Read more…]
Elstree Props (e11e on eBay) is marketing another very expensive “original” prop auction with pieces claimed to have been “prototypes” in the production of Star Wars: A New Hope. This new eBay offering is a set of lightsabers, attributed to a January 1976 meeting. Comparing the claims made in the auction listing with J.W. Rinzler’s The Making of Star Wars raises many questions about these vintage camera flashguns being offered for sale starting at $19,938.00. [Read more…]
As reported in past articles, Julien’s held their “Entertainment Sale Hollywood Memorabilia” auction at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on June 21 (LINK). One of the items featured prominently in their marketing raised some questions on the Movie Prop Forum, with Rick Spector of Stairway to the Stars questioning the date on the clapboard (or clapperboard) attributed to use in The Godfather, as well as the “I” in the film title. I’ve since picked up a copy of The Godfather Legacy by Harlan Lebo which seems to raise further questions about the markings on this piece that realized $4,500.00 at auction (plus 25%-27.5% Buyer’s Premium). [Read more…]
Over the past several years, one issue that has been discussed among hobbyists from time to time relates to questions about Stormtrooper helmets characterized as “prototypes” and attributed to the production of the first Star Wars film, A New Hope. A number of hobbyists do not believe these helmets are indeed prototypes (precursors to the helmets made for and used in A New Hope) but made following that production, which would classify them as non-Original or replicas. [Read more…]
Those readers who have followed the ongoing series of articles about Superman costume/costume components offered for sale, attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s, will have likely noted that many costumes circulating in the marketplace are marketed as having previously been used as reference pieces in the production of similar costumes for the Superboy (AKA Adventures of Superboy) television series, which ran in syndication from 1988-1992 (four seasons).
Of those costumes listed in the Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings (ver 1.0, 04/04/08), I count nine (9) costumes which are noted (explicitly or implied by source) as reference costumes for the Superboy television series. This does not reflect the number of additional costumes circulating in the marketplace on eBay that have also been described as former reference costumes for the Superboy television series (see prior articles).
Many of the costumes that are characterized as original Berman’s & Nathan’s produced Superman costumes worn by Christopher Reeve, used as reference by Disney’s “Creative Costuming” as part of the provenance, have letters/LOAs/COAs from “Super Hollywood”, signed by either Ana Mungia or Armando Alvarez. Many are also characterized as “gifts” from the Salkinds (producers of the films and television series). [Read more…]
Since publishing my lengthy and comprehensive article last night (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“), which raises questions about the number of “original” and “authentic” Superman costumes in the marketplace, another such auction has been listed on eBay since completing the article: [Read more…]