One of the costumes archived in the very first of over 100 Superman costume-related articles, more than a year ago, was a “Super Hollywood” costume offered for sale on eBay by Edward Pugia (AKA “Costume Junkie”). This costume was again listed for sale via the “costumejunkie” account on eBay this weekend.
This article continues coverage 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”.
eBay Seller: costumejunkie
Auction Title: “SCREEN USED CHRISTOPHER REEVES SUPERMAN COSTUMES”
Noted Source/Provenance: “Comes with original COA from the costume designer Anna Mungia”
eBay Item #: 140322528418
End Date: 05/27/09
Auction Result: Starting Bid $9.99, Unstated Reserve, “Buy It Now” Price $3,500.00
Full Auction Archive: “SCREEN USED CHRISTOPHER REEVES SUPERMAN COSTUMES“
Description:
Costumejunkie is proud to present
a Screen used Christopher Reeves
Superman costume.
Comes with tunic and sewn in trunks, leggings, and cape.
Tunic and cape have Bermans and Nathans tags.
Comes with original COA from the costume designer Anna Mungia.
We also have a pair of $300.00 replica leather boots and a replica belt that we could sell to the winner.
We have a reserve to protect our original investment.
Because of the HORRIBLE FRAUD going on with bidders, you’ll need to PAY IMMEDIATELY VIA PAYPAL.
Until the item has been paid via PAYPAL, the auction is still live.
So, PLEASE pay us immediately unless you’re waiting for an INTERNATIONAL shipping quote.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR PAYPAL SETUP, DON’T BID UNTIL IT IS !!!
IT TAKES UP TO 2 WEEKS TO GET VERIFIED WITH PAYPAL.
A Proud MPA and UMCGmember.
Movie Prop Association UNITED MOVIE COLLECTORS GUILD
People with ZERO or NEGATIVE feedback will have to email us BEFORE BIDDING !!!
We don’t tollerate DEADBEAT bidders who bid and don’t pay.
Feel free to EMAIL us BEFORE bidding.
if you have ANY questions about the product.EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ZERO FEEDBACK BEFORE BIDDING !!!
CHECK OUR OTHER EBAY AUCTIONS FOR COMPLETE COSTUMES AND ACCESSORIES
CONTACT COSTUMEJUNKIE
[email protected]
Primary Marketing Photo:
Recent “Super Hollywood” Costume Comparative Analysis, Costume Junkie Prior Statements, The Movie Prop Association and The United Movie Collectors Guild
As can be seen from the photo comparison below, the Costume Junkie “Super Hollywood” costume is consistent with the “Super Hollywood” examples used in previous articles for overall analysis, photo archives, and, earlier this month, direct comparison with confirmed authentic costumes:
Earlier this month, the two “Super Hollywood” Superman costumes were taken to Los Angeles for a “hands on” direct comparison with confirmed authentic costumes:
- See: Superman Costume Comparative Analysis: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. “Super Hollywood”
As revealed in that article, the “Super Hollywood” costumes differ significantly from the confirmed authentic examples in a number of ways, as seen in the photo comparison compilation below:
Full details can be found in the aforementioned article: LINK
Further, Mr. Pugia now claims in his current eBay listing:
Comes with original COA from the costume designer Anna Mungia.
Yvonne Blake is credited as “Costume Designer” on the film Superman: The Movie – see IMDb
Anna/Ana Mungia has no credits on Superman or on any film or television production in the IMDb, as there is no one named “Ana Mungia” or “Anna Mungia” listed in the service.
Mr. Pugia had published “Reader Comments” on the Original Prop Blog about this costume over a year ago.
Edward Pugia Excerpt (02/07/08):
Here’s what I need, I need to PROVE they’re fake. I need to know who I can send them both to so they can be authenticated as real or fake. If fake, then we can go ahead and persue legal action to recoup our losses and brand these 2 suits REPLICAS.
I’d appreciate any help you could give as I’m only one person running a small business trying to stay honest and give our customers REAL merchandise.
ANY help we can get getting these 2 suits authenticated so we can proceed with legal action to recoup our initial investment would be great.
Edward Pugia Excerpt (02/09/08):
I did NOT have my wife call Mr Alvarez to apologize for my language, I had her call to put them on notice that we either get a refund on our $4275.00 purchase or we’ll be filing a lawsuit once we have the evidence that the suits are indeed replicas.
Mr. Pugia made additional comments in other Original Prop Blog articles:
Edward Pugia Excerpt (02/09/08):
All 4 signatures from Ana seem to be different. Even the 2 that we have (Superman and Supergirl) look different. ALso, our Superman tights have NO tags, NO writing and look brand new for a costume that’s 30 years old. The entire costume looks brand new other than the B and N tags that look old.
Edward Pugia Excerpt (03/04/08):
I’ve also received NO help authenticating these from the ‘so called’ experts who keep saying they’re fake.
If they’re fake please prove this to us. Everytime we listed our CR Superman we had the same 1-2 people say they’re fake. But now that I want PROOF, I’m not getting ANY help what so ever which leads me to believe that they’re NOT fake and that Super Hollywood is getting bashed for releasing Superman costumes.
All I ask is SOMEONE help us or stop with the accusations that our Superman and Supergirl are fake.
Edward Pugia Excerpt (03/04/08):
After finding out about the proposed legal action from Super Hollywood against you, we’ve decided to hold onto our costumes and see what happens next.
As reported two weeks ago, Armando Alvarez’s “super38” eBay account was changed to NARU (No Longer A Registered User) status:
Two weeks later, the “Super Hollywood” eBay account remains suspended.
In his currently active eBay auctions for the “Super Hollywood” Superman and Supergirl costumes (see: Supergirl Costume eBay Auction Archive) – as was the case when this costume was first listed by Mr. Pugia in January 2008 – the prop dealer touts his affiliation with the “Movie Prop Association” (the “MPA”) and the “United Movie Collectors Guild” (the “UMCG”):
Per the MPA Goals and Policies:
If someone wants to buy a prop or costume from their favourite movie, or used by their favourite star, they want to feel confident that the item REALLY is as described. Buying from an MPA member is all about knowing that the item is backed up by a guarantee that the item IS genuine.
We have zero tolerance for people who misrepresent items as being the “real thing” when they are merely replicas. This type of practice is not only fraudulent and immoral but only harms the hobby. Without some degree of trust the whole hobby falls apart.
IF at ANY TIME during the life-time of the prop or wardrobe item it is questioned on its authenticity, the seller will use all the resources and know-how of the MPA to investigate the authenticity of the item.
Per the UMCG Code of Conduct:
We understand that dealers and studios can make mistakes. Every dealer has received bad items at times. It’s a part of the business… sometimes it just happens. So, if you get or find a bad piece then you must take care of it and not resell it as it was. If we find out that you were told about a bad piece and it was proven to be and then you turn around and resell it without the change you will be removed from our organization immediately and put on our black list of people we wont deal with or help again.
Additional articles about Superman costumes can be found below:
Jason DeBord