Tonight the auction for the Superman costume offered for sale at public auction by “ComicLink.com” with the Letter of Authenticity from Jim Hambrick of the Super Museum ended with 33 bids for a price realized of $3,600, though the unstated reserve was not met. Leading up to the conclusion of this auction, Mr. Hambrick refused to either affirm or dispute the genuineness of the notarized Super Museum LOA included as the solitary claim to authenticity of the offering being “a complete, screen-worn Christopher Reeve Superman costume from most popular and long-lived screen adaptation of the legendary hero“. An inquiry to “ComicLink” as to this verification also remains unanswered.
“ComicLink”/”Super Museum” Auction Ended Archive
Below is an archive of the auction result of the costume offered at auction:
“ComicLink”/”Super Museum” Bidding History Archive
Below is an archive of the (private) bidding history for the auction:
“ComicLink”/”Super Museum” Related Articles
Below are links to the articles directly related to this costume offered at auction by “ComicLink”:
- “ComicLink” Superman Costume Auction & Questions for Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum)
- Response from Jim Hambrick (Supermuseum / Super Museum) Regarding Questions About Original Superman Costumes in the Marketplace
- Response to Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum) Message
- More from Jim Hambrick (Super Museum / Supermuseum)
“ComicLink” Request for Verification of Provenance
I sent the following inquiry to Douglas Gillock, Sales and Auction Coordinator for ComicLink (who previously sent me the scans of the Super Museum LOA via e-mail):
From: Jason De Bord [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:03 AM
To: ‘Douglas Gillock (Comiclink)’
Cc: ‘Josh Nathanson’
Subject: RE: “SUPERMAN CHRIS. REEVE SCREEN WORN COSTUME”Hi Douglas,
Was this costume consigned by Mr. Hambrick himself? I have asked him if the letter is genuine, and if he stands by his authentication of the costume, but he refuses to answer.
Have you verified his assessment of the costume as authentic?
Thanks again,
Jason De Bord
I never received a response.
Superman Homepage Report: Ilya Salkind, “Stolen Property”, “90%” of Costumes May Be “Fake”
Interestingly, there was a report earlier this month on the website, Superman Homepage, about “stolen” and “fake” Superman costumes in the marketplace:
Sales of Fake Superman Suits on the Rise (08/02/08)
Ilya Salkind, who co-produced “Superman: The Movie”, “Superman II”, Superman III”, “Supergirl”, “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut” and the four-season syndicated TV show “The Adventures of Superboy”, contacted me this week to alert Superman fans to a growing problem in the Superman collectibles market.
Salkind has recently become aware that Superboy and Superman costumes are being sold at auction houses and auction sites that may either be stolen property from the Warner vaults or completely phony reproductions. Salkind explained that, in certain cases, he’s been told the costumes come with certificates of authenticity forged with Salkind’s own signature.
Salkind is considering his legal rights and how best to halt these unauthorized sales of what are at best stolen property and at worst complete fakes. Salkind believes, based on the numbers of Superman suits and Superboy suits made in total (excluding “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” which was not a Salkind production), up to 90% of the Superman and Superboy costumes being offered for sale may be fakes.
Superman Homepage Archive: Sales of Fake Superman Suits on the Rise
Remember, Mr. Hambrick stated in his e-mail message to me on 08/22/08:
Ilya Salkind is now quoted as saying that all genuine Superman costumes out there are considered by him to be “stolen”.
Also note, the Superman Homepage also reports that Mr. Salkind claims “up to 90% of the Superman and Superboy costumes being offered for sale may be fakes”.
Yet, in light of this news from one of the producers of the films, Mr. Hambrick refused to affirm the legitimacy of the costume to which his own notarized Letter of Authenticity is attached that was offered for sale to the public.
Why should Mr. Hambrick care about what the Superman Homepage reports?
Steve Younis, Superman Homepage & Jim Hambrick, Super Museum
For one, the owner of the Superman Homepage, Steve Younis, was honored by Jim Hambrick in Metropolis this year at the “Superman Celebration” event by receiving the 2008 “George Award”.
Per the Superman Homepage:
Site Owner Steve Younis Honored in Metropolis (06/15/08)
Steve Younis (seen at right with “Superman Returns” screenwriter Michael Dougherty, left, and canine friend), the Owner and Editor-in-Chief of the Superman Homepage, has been awarded the 2008 “George Award” at the Metropolis, Illinois Superman Celebration’s 13th annual George Awards Dinner. The George Award is a gold statuette made in the likeness of George Reeves’s Superman from the 1950s classic TV series “The Adventures of Superman”. While this is the 30th year that Metropolis has held its annual Superman Celebration, it’s the 13th year of the George Awards. The award is annually presented at the Celebration’s annual Auction Dinner. The award is given to an individual in recognition of their efforts and dedication to the Superman mythology and the annual Superman Celebration.
Superman Homepage Archive: Site Owner Steve Younis Honored in Metropolis
The following “Superman Celebration 2008” report excerpt from the SimplySupermanBatman.com website:
Many awards were given out recognizing all those that had given so much of their time and energy to the Superman Celebration and to the town of Metropolis in general. The final award, the “George Award” was the most prestigious award of the whole Superman Celebration. Jim Hambrick held this wonderful wooden statue of George Reeves as he told the audience what it meant to receive this award and how its recipient was well deserving of it. It was then that Jim Hambrick announced that this year’s George Award was to be presented to Steve Younis from the Superman Homepage.
Superman Costume Auctions Held at the “Celebration” Events
A prior article reported on a Superman costume auction and a Superman cape auction at the Superman Celebration events in 2006 and 2008 (respectively), one of which has resurfaced in the marketplace after failing to sell at the event:
As reported previously, both pieces offered for sale to attendees of the Superman Celebration events had “MGM Studios” tags (though one was partially cut out). The cut tag (inset) from a full costume offered for sale at auction in 2006 and in the background a full tag present on the autographed cape auctioned off this year:
As noted in many prior articles, costumes with the “Disney MGM Studios” attribution originate, by way of COAs and LOAs to “Super Hollywood” (Ana Mungia and Armando Alvarez). “Ana Mungia” has signed many of the “Super Hollywood” documents as a representative of “Wardrobe MGM Studios” (see Superman, Superboy, and Disney’s Creative Costuming).
Below is a compilation of signatures archived from “Super Hollywood” letters of provenance and authenticity:
The full costume that did not sell at auction at Superman Celebration 2006 has been listed on eBay numerous times with no sale (see eBay Item #120276822227). The marketing description by batttttman is as follows:
Superman suit from the 3rd movie it is a flying suit. I bought this years ago from superhollywood . it was apraised by Jim Hambrick for 11,200 then I bought the belt from Jim its real and added the boots they are remakes. it was up for sale at the superman musem in 06 (Jims) and did not sell. I have the box that jim shiped it to me int and the add from superhollywood use to sell when I bought it Jim said he would sell it for me but he could not send the paper work for it because he was doing a deal with WB and he could not because of that but he would sell it I have the post marked box Jim sent it back to Me in.and the flyer that shows the photo and add from when I bought it so I am selling it AS IS. you can call Jim if you want. the tags were cut out when I got this. !!!!!!!!!Iwould be interested in a superman or batman #1 comic.!!!!!!!!!!!! check out www.orginalprop.com/blog it has info on superman suits and the big ebay sellers of suits! and what they are made of the same as mine..there is also the same suit on this blog for sale fot$84,000 .and a data sheet on suits sold. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I got permisson to sell this from Craig Hoffman at warner bros.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they started keeping there suits in 1992 and before that ,these suits were alowed to be sold. thanks for looking Brent. SOMEONE PLEASE BUY THIS OR TRADE ME FOR IT IM TIRED OF RUNNING THIS ADD!
Auction Listing Archive: “SUPERMAN coustume from movie FLYIING SUIT; NEW LOW STARTING BID (MY LOSS your gain)”
The “batttttman” costume appears to resemble the “Superman III” costume I photographed as a point of reference (see High Resolution Photo Reference Archive: “Original Superman III Christopher Reeve Costume”).
The Superman Homepage, The Super Museum, & The Superman Superstore
Returning to the question, “why should Mr. Hambrick care about what the Superman Homepage reports?”, based on this announcement (also from the Superman Homepage), Steve Younis of the Superman Homepage and Jim Hambrick of the Super Museum are business partners in the “Superman Superstore” retail website:
Announcing the New Superman Superstore! (03/04/04)
The Superman Homepage together with the Super Museum are proud to announce the opening of a new online Superman merchandise store… The Superman Superstore!
Yes, after much consideration and many needed changes for growth and improvements. Steve Younis and Jim Hambrick have collaborated on a brand new Superman merchandise and gift store that gives you exactly what you want with all of the latest items from DC Direct and all of the current Superman licensees now manufacturing Superman related products! And yes, with many, many vintage and classic items from the past that you can’t get anywhere else but right HERE at www.SupermanSuperstore.com and let’s not forget the importance of quick and courteous service. Boasting the world’s largest collection of Superman related merchandise for sale on the internet, the Superman Superstore is your one-stop shop for all your Superman merchandise needs.
This new online shop is backed by the professionalism of the Super Museum Gift Store in Metropolis Illinois and maintained by Superman Homepage owner Steve Younis, so you know you can shop with confidence.
“I’m very proud to have joined forced with Steve as I consider him to be the best there is on the internet with Superman”, said Jim Hambrick owner of the Super Museum in Metropolis Illinois. “Nobody does it better with all of the latest news and latest events, products and projects. Everyone in the community respects Steve as do I for his marvelous contributions to the world of Superman. Our team for this endeavor really does have it all! I’ve been involved with this character for almost 45 years and there is no sign in me for slowing down or getting tired of it. There is STILL a lot of work to do and let’s not forget the adventures and the fun STILL to be had by all of us. We here at www.SupermanSuperstore.com are all really looking forward to this Super-endeavor!
Superman Homepage Archive: Announcing the New Superman Superstore
The $75,000 “Superman Superstore” Costume vs. The $3,600 “ComicLink” Costume
As I noted in the first “ComicLink” article, a different Superman costume is currently offered for sale at the Superman Superstore website for $75,000. This “Superman Superstore” costume does not in any way resemble the “ComicLink” costume that ended tonight with a high bid of $3,600 that Mr. Hambrick refused to verify:
Superman Superstore Archive: Christopher Reeve “Superman: The Movie” Costume
“Superman Superstore” Marketing Description:
Christopher Reeve “Superman: The Movie” Costume
Jim Hambrick, owner of the Super Museum has a complete Superman costume, WITH labels from the FIRST Superman Movie – “Superman: The Movie” (1978).
Not only is this suit from the FIRST Superman movie, but it also has the belt. It’s 100% complete! 100% authentic!
Jim Hambrick will guarantee this costume 100% through the SuperMuseum archives forever.
creevecostume $75,000.00 Order
What about the guarantee stated in the Letter of Authenticity for the “ComicLink” costume?
Comparison: “ComicLink” Costume vs. “Superman Superstore” Costume
Questions from Original Article: Unaddressed
To date, I don’t believe any of my questions raised in the original article were addressed by Mr. Hambrick. Below are the original questions:
1. How many Superman costumes have you authenticated? How many Letters of Authenticity have you issued? How many full or partial costumes have you personally sold? How many authentic Superman costumes do you believe are in the marketplace today?
2. Of all the Superman costumes you have examined, how many failed to meet your standards for “original” and “authentic”? If any Superman costumes failed your standards, what distinguished them from those costumes that you have authenticated and determined to be genuine?
3. With regards to the “ComicLink” costume archived above, how did you determine that this specific costume was authentic to your standards? What is the provenance and chain of ownership of the “ComicLink” costume?
4. How do you account for the discrepancies between the confirmed authentic costume and the “ComicLink” costume as outlined above? [see original article for details]
5. How do you account for the similarities between the presumed inauthentic “Superman III” reference costume and the “ComicLink” costume as outlined above? [see original article for details]
6. Do you maintain today that the “ComicLink” costume is authentic and that it was worn by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s?
7. Have you ever authenticated any costumes sourced from Super Hollywood, Armando Alvarez, and/or Ana Mungia? Of those you have examined, how many did you determine to be authentic and how many did you determine to be inauthentic?
8. In your notarized “Letter of Authenticity”, you write, “[l]et this letter serve as my personal guarantee that this Complete Superman Costume is authentic”. If this or any other costume or costume part that you have sold and/or authenticated is proven to be inauthentic, do you provide refunds as part of your guarantee? If so, what are the parameters (i.e. is there a time limit, does it need to be the original buyer, etc.)?
Again this is merely a note of the fact that none of the above questions have been addressed.
The fundamental question in this series of articles concerns the now completed “ComicLink” Superman costume auction offered for sale to the public:
Why won’t Super Museum affirm or deny the authenticity of this specific Superman costume and the accompanying Super Museum Letter of Authenticity?
Addendum: “allchris”
This is unrelated to the “ComicLink” auction, but I couldn’t help but notice that one of the members of the Superman Homepage – “allchris” – who published comments expressing outrage over the sale of fake costumes in the above referenced article (“Sales of Fake Superman Suits on the Rise“):
#23 | allchris on August 4, 2008 4:28am EST
Fair Enough KryptoKal, It’s just that this subject really makes my blood boil. i’ve spent a lot of time and money over the years in obtaining my authentic Chris Reeve Superman costume, I just get really mad when I see other’s selling fake ones cheap as chips and fueling the uneducated buyers out there as to what an actual costume; looks like, the specific construction method, unique fabric, etc. No doubt the questionable costume profiles in history had recently for sale in their recent auction 32 is what brought this subject to the attention of Mr. Salkind. This costume differs significantly from the authentic Superman costume auction by the same auction house last year (auction 27) of which Mr. Salkind had consigned several pieces from his collection for the auction.
Fascinating comments, given past articles about Mr. Alleaume:
Jason De Bord
Additional Related Articles: Market Watch | Superman