{"id":19426,"date":"2010-03-22T20:10:23","date_gmt":"2010-03-23T04:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/?p=19426"},"modified":"2010-03-22T20:10:57","modified_gmt":"2010-03-23T04:10:57","slug":"superman-costumes-in-the-marketplace-archive-march-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/2010\/03\/22\/superman-costumes-in-the-marketplace-archive-march-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"Superman Costumes in the Marketplace Archive: March 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This article continues coverage of Superman costumes and costume components offered for sale publicly in the marketplace attributed to use in the Superman<\/em> films of the 70s-80s starring Christopher Reeve and characterized as \u201coriginal\u201d and \u201cauthentic\u201d.\"\"<\/p>\n

As archived previously, Startifacts continued 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, which sold for a second time yesterday, now for $2,250. 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.\u00a0 Per the auction description, “[a]n 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”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The cape that was listed a few times in December 2009<\/a>, with letters of authenticity from Armando Alvarez and Ana Mugia, bearing the “Super Hollywood” company name and logo, was pulled by the seller.\u00a0 I have not heard from the seller since the “challenge” article published in January 2010 (see “The Superman Cape Authentication Challenge: Consign with a Reputable Movie Prop & Costume Dealer or Auction House<\/a>“).<\/p>\n

After being reinstated following a suspension from eBay, Armando Alvarez (AKA “Super Hollywood”)<\/a> renamed his “super38” account to “pantages”<\/a> the following month.<\/p>\n

There are three items currently listed for sale under this renamed account, with photos that have been used in the past under the “super38” account.\u00a0 This source\/seller\/provenance and pieces have been analyzed in depth in past articles, and found to be problematic.\u00a0 For more information, see “Superman Costume Comparative Analysis: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. \u201cSuper Hollywood\u201d<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heritage Auction Galleries has a new online catalog available for their April 2010 auction event, which includes a cape and boots attributed to both the Christopher Reeve Superman films as well as the John Haymes Newton Superboy<\/em> television series with a letter of authenticity from the actor.<\/p>\n

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eBay Seller:<\/span> startifacts<\/h3>\n

Auction Title:<\/span> “SUPERMAN 3 CHRISTOPHER REEVE DOCUMENTED WORN COSTUME; RELISTED- NON PAYING BIDDER- 100% AUTHENTIC-SCREEN WORN<\/strong>“<\/strong><\/p>\n

Noted Source\/Provenance:<\/span> “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.<\/strong>“<\/strong><\/p>\n

eBay Item #:<\/span> 220571967104<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Date:<\/span> 03\/21\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Auction Result:<\/span> Sold For $2,550.00
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<\/a><\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Full Auction Archive:<\/span> <\/strong>“<\/strong>SUPERMAN 3 CHRISTOPHER REEVE DOCUMENTED WORN COSTUME<\/strong>“<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Description:
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Startifacts 2009 Annual Rock\u2019in Hollywood Auction Extravaganza<\/p>\n

You now can own some of Hollywood\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

RELISTED DUE TO NON PAYING BIDDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n

Superman 3 Christopher Reeve WORN original Hero outfit<\/p>\n

Authentic Tunic & Tights Rare Bermans & Nathan tags<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

During the movie Superman has different costumes for both \u201cheroic\u201d and \u201cbad\u201d superman. This superman costume is of the \u201cbad\u201d superman.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hot! Most sought after collection<\/p>\n

Startifacts celebrity memorabilia is a company founded by Michael Kronick in the late 1980\u2019s. 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\u2019s largest collections of celebrity wardrobe, autographs, instruments, and personal effects.<\/p>\n

Growing exponentially<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Huge Productivity<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s Taj Mahal Atlantic City Casino. When Hard Rock Caf\u00e9 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 \u201cwhite bronco\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Big Business<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Real Deal<\/p>\n

All of Startifacts items go through an in depth authentication process, and are guaranteed to be genuine for life.<\/p>\n

Making News<\/p>\n

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<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Marketing Photos:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Superman-Costume-Startifacts-01<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Superman-Costume-Startifacts-02<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Superman-Costume-Startifacts-03<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Superman-Costume-Startifacts-04<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Superman-Costume-Startifacts-05<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Analysis:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n