This is an archive of one of the Superman costumes previously offered in the marketplace, on eBay, that has not been captured in prior articles. As is the case with other articles, this serves to archive listings of costumes marketed as “original” and “authentic”, worn by Christopher Reeves in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s.
This item was auctioned in December 2006, sold on eBay by 1qq as “Christopher Reeve Superman Movie 1978 Costume Suit Prop; The “holy Grail of Superman Films!”:
High Resolution, Full Auction Archive: 1qq eBay Auction – Christopher Reeve Superman Movie 1978 Costume Suit Prop
Marketing Description:
No Reserve!! Starting at Half of the Lowest Appraisal!! Nothing “DIRTY” about THIS suit! It’s legit!
In all it’s glory, in all it’s vibrant colors…there is not a better example of the ultimate Christopher Reeve/Superman Costume on the planet! Truly a remarkable piece of film history recognized around the world. This single and significant suit stands alone representing the true spirit of Superman and the man who was Superman and still IS to millions.
I’m not going to go into a long drawn out description of who Christopher Reeve was and how great he was as Superman(THAT HE WAS) as anyone who would potentially bid on this costume already knows that. Hey…this single suit defines the difference between “Men” and “Boys” and the price of their toys. So lets concentrate on the suit itself the rest is film history.
You want all the good things about an authentic Superman Costume rolled into one? Step up with your checkbook in hand and read on.
A lessor suit of this condition and caliber sold several years ago for $156,000 after hammer at a major auction house. Lessor meaning that this is the rarest most prominent suit of all because of having separate trunks not sewn onto the tunic. It wasn’t until a few beginning shootings back in 1977 did they decide to sew the trunks to the tunic to keep them in place without continuous adjusting which resulted in scene cutting which wasted time and money so they went with both designs. Reeve preferred this version because it was more comfortable especially during long days on the set in the suit. And how many of you know this stuff inside and out have actually seen “separate trunks” on a Reeve/Superman suit? I promise you…not many…if ANY at all!
Also, this has the rarer “Muscle tunic” as stated on the Berman & Nathan’s label which means it’s a very early suit because Christopher Reeve still needed a little help with padding as he hadn’t bulked up completely through vigorous training and working out to be the Superman he felt that he needed to be and eventually became in a very short time. Did you know he wore a little bit of padding in some scenes of the first film?
For over 20 years this suit has been well kept and preserved in “dark Storage” and has never been put on display or under lights except during filming back in 1978 and this suit was also commissioned by the gameshow “Deal or No Deal”. Huh. You say? Yes…it was used for the show and elaborately displayed in their vault on the show but the Superman crazy contestant went sour on his number selecting before he would reach the point of the suit which would represent $150,000.00 bonus/lure to sell his briefcase to the banker. The contestant didn’t get the chance nor did he know it was coming..so, Howie Mandel never got to bring the suit under the spotlights as planned and offer this Costume as part of the banker’s offerings. Yes, I have proof and paperwork and mailing documents to prove this happened with THIS very same suit just a couple of months ago. They worked hard to make a huge production out of this and you better believe that before they accepted the suit for the show that it went through some major screening for authenticity. Can you imagine them offering a bogus suit touting a $150,000.00 value/price tag on national television? Yes, they absolutley agreed to that appraisal and authentication from their own sources. In addition, “Deal of No Deal” productions even contacted Warner Brothers and got authentication from them to “air the costume” with included documentation from Jim Hambrick. Yes, they would have given the contestant the suit, I would have gotten my check from them for that same amount and you wouldn’t be reading this right now if the contestant would have been lucky that day. Well, lucky for YOU he wasn’t…right? LOL! All Berman & Nathan’s tags are attached and clearly legible.
IN an effort to be as precise as possible with all claims in this description, I did spend a lot of time getting professional advise and opinions from those whom I felt to be qualified brokers, auction house reps. Collectors and the like so that I could make an intelligent decision on how to sell this grand prize of film history. And after my research was complete it was amazing to me how many self proclaimed “experts” were willing to advise me for pay and yet they had never seen or even touch a legitimate Christopher Reeve/Superman Costume in person before in their lives. What a strange trip it has been!
I have been collecting Superman and comics for well over 40 years. My first love is anything George Reeves related..yes, he was Superman to ME. So, after a very tough year for me money wise, I had to make some choices and I am somewhat sorry that I have to sell..but as the old saying goes..”you can’t have it all”. So my loss could be YOUR gain if you can afford it.
I was reluctant with the auction houses because I don’t like the fact that the major auction houses take 20-25% from the seller and then on the same lot take 20-25% from the buyer as well. That translates to 40-50% OF THE SELLING PRICE! That’s a bit steep when you consider the multi page disclaimers at the beginning of all auction house catalogs which relieves the auction house of all responsibilities if the item up for auction happens to be counterfeit or at least not what they described so that wen the bidder/buyer participates in the auction they wave all their rights of any kind if the item is not what they described. those of you who bid at these auctions know what I’m talking about.
I also communicated with some of the top collectors of Superman in the world that I’ve known for many years and have done legitimate business with before to best understand the do’s and don’ts with this most sacred Superman offering. In the end, all fingers pointed to Jim Hambrick who I’ve known and traded with for over 30 years. Jim knew every piece and what to look for and he verified everything he said with documentation, past sales history of similar items and past examples of “what”, “why” and “who” until every question I could ever conjure up was answered completely. Jim truly is a walking encyclopedia on the subject of Superman especially with wardrobe and costume and props related to Superman. A notarized letter of authenticity signed by Jim hambrick will be included with the costume. Thanks Jim!
In fact, it was Jim that also told me that perhaps ebay was not the best place to sell an item such as this that there is too much crap floating around out there and they get away with a whole lot on ebay including those who marry legitimate COA copies to counterfeit items, bogus items, bogus sellers who take money and don’t deliver product, bogus buyers who would rip you off in a heartbeat with stolen credit cards or phoney bank checks ..etc..etc..
Jim had suggested that I wait and list my items including this suit with supermanstore.com on Jan15th of next year as he is in the midst of creating and hopefully launching a section in the online Superman store to showcase rare and one-of-a-kind items from Superman collectors all over the world who are looking for a more reasonable way to sell their rare and unique Superman items rather then giving their money away to the “big boys” with the catalogs as the percentage they would receive for selling is much less then the “big boys”. But, I need the money now and I have to try ebay and sell this suit asap. And maximize my results with the costume. And as a result from all of this research I will say “absolutely not” to the following requests via email…
* No copies of paperwork or documentation to anyone except the winning bidder.
* No measurements of any kind disclosed
* No paypal or credit cards accepts..Too much $ to process!
No this suit did not fall off some gypsy wagon and then found by a guy who sounds a lot like a latin used car salesman in Florida selling fake Superman costumes, capes and “S” emblems! LOL!
As stated previously, everything has original tags. , Personal check or cashier’s check only. Free overnight shipping. Or you can pick-up and make the exchange in person if you are the winning bidder to this auction.
Original Costume consists of the following: 1) Blue poly long sleeve 1pc. Tunic with red and yellow poly “S” emblem sewn into tunic. Full length zipper back. 4 female black snaps 2 on each shoulder attach and help secure the cape to the shoulders. Attached “Berman and Nathans” label reads in type, “Christopher Reeve-12312-muscle-Superman”.
2) Blue poly leggings/rights with footings. Elastic is sewn into the waist and the tights are a match in color to the tunic. Attached “Berman and Nathans” label reads in type, Christopher Reeve-12188-Superman-Water resistant (written in blue ink) Note: that there are two slits sewn into each side at the waist of the tights for flying wires to fit through.
3) Red Poly breif type trunks with 4 belt loops sewn on. Attached “Berman and Nathans” label reads in type, “Christopher Reeve-12312-Superman”. “New” is written in blue ink on the label
4) Superman cape is crimson red wool blend (heavy verison)material and has a yellow and black sewn/embroidered “S” emblemsewn on. Cotton wadding padded shoulders, two long cloth straps which tie at back under both arms. 3 male black snaps(one missing but easy to replace) which attach to female snaps at the shoulder of tunic for aligned and secure fit. 2 handwritten labels is consistent with all other original Reeve/Superman capes. Top label reads in black pen, “remade walk-HB 4-Oct 82-New cape”. Bottom label reads in black pen, “Christopher Reeve-walking cape-14-9-79.Note: further proof that this is from the first Superman movie.
5) Yellow vinyl belt with beige/leather backing and a yellow plastic oval buckle attached. Belt latch hooks/ties in the back are still attached which is unusual as the latches usually broke and were replaced with eye holes and shoe lace strings for easier adjustment and fit. As Reeve gained weight for the role he ripped out most of the beslts so to have the latch hooks in tact signifies as early belt. Handwritten on the lining of the belt reads, “HB 19 3”
6) Red pair of Superman boots are soft leather knee high with full length sipper in the back w/two sided tape still in tact. Note: that the boots for Superman III and IV had velcro sewn in instead of two sided tape. Markings in black pen on the inside of the left boot reads, “CR-NO#12-flying-only-HB 19 10. Right boot reads, “CR-NO#12-HB 19 10 flying only. Soles are white rubber with traces of red tape and residue still apparent. Note: During filming they would periodically reapply red tape to the soles of the boots to give the camera a clean Superman boot look during take offs and landings.
Below are a few of the photos from the auction:
This is part of the ongoing series of articles about costumes in the marketplace attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s (see “Questions About Superman Costumes in the Marketplace: Authenticity, Sources, Quantity“).
Jason De Bord
Additional Related Articles: Market Watch | Superman