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). The “Super Hollywood” Letter of Authenticity and accompanying “Revue Magazine” article were also covered in a past article (see Superman, Superboy, and Disney’s Creative Costuming). The current owner of this costume and documentation, who purchased the offering on eBay from seller “queenrocks”, has loaned me the costume and paperwork for examination and photographic analysis.
For the purposes of this article, this “queenrocks” costume will be referred to as the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”.
I still possess the other similar costume loaned to me by another collector, which was the subject of another article (see High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Original Superman III Christopher Reeve Costume”), as well as a point of reference in a number of subsequent articles.
For the purposes of this article, the other (previously photographed) costume will be referred to as the “Superman III Reference Costume”. The collector who loaned me this costume claims that “Super Hollywood” was the original source.
The documentation that accompanied the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume” (below) will be the subject of a future article:
Below is the archive of the January 2008 eBay auction from the prior OPB article:
Higher Resolution Archive: queenrocks eBay Listing -”Superman Superboy Reeve Costume w Trunks”
Comparing the Super Hollywood “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume” and the “Superman III Reference Costume”
Observations:
- The two costumes employ the same type and color of red and yellow fabric
- The two costumes employ different blue fabric (different type of fabric and different colors)
- The “Superman III Reference Costume” blue fabric is comparatively thinner and lighter weight
- The “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume” blue fabric appears to be of the same type as the red and yellow fabrics
- The belt loops on the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume” are larger
- The two costumes appear to be based on the same pattern
- The two costumes appear to employ the same sewing patterns and details
- The two costumes appear “new” and unused/unworn
- Neither costume employ the type of fabric seen in the confirmed authentic costumes
- Neither costumes features colors that match the confirmed authentic costumes nor what is seen in the film
In order to identify the two costumes in the follow photos, use these color references as guides:
“Superman III Reference Costume”
“Superman/Superboy Reference Costume”
Below are the direct comparison photos:
As noted, future articles will analyze the paperwork associated with the “Superman/Superboy Reference Costume” as well as provide analysis of the costume itself.
Jason De Bord
Additional Related Articles: Market Watch | Superman