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: governmentauctionlive
Auction Title: “2101: Superman Costume-Original -Worn by Christopher Re”
Noted Source/Provenance: None Stated
eBay Item #: 350142010355
End Date: 12/28/08
Auction Result: Currently Active, Starting Bid $50,000.00, Estimate $300,000.00-$600,000.00
Full Auction Archive: “2101: Superman Costume-Original -Worn by Christopher Re”
Description:
This mannequin, professionally created byHollywood prop designers, bears the original suit worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1970’s Superman movies.
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Primary Photo:
Note:
There appears to be additional information on the poster board behind the mannequin – I can make out “Letter of Authenticity Included” toward the bottom. I will contact GovernmentAuction.com to obtain details.
Non-Auction Seller: “BenG”, Benoit Grenier
Venue: Superman Home Page Forums (SupermanHomePage.com)
Topic Title: “Selling original Superman III Walking cape with LOA from Jim Hambrick”
Noted Source/Provenance: “…hand-written letter of authenticity from Jim Hambrick”
Post Date: 12/05/08
Price: “I would like around $4000 for it”
Full Archive: “Selling original Superman III Walking cape with LOA from Jim Hambrick”
Description:
Selling original Superman III Walking cape with LOA from Jim Hambrick
BenG
Posted on December 5, 2008 5:31am
MemberPosts: 1
Joined: 05.12.08Hello,
I am selling my Superman III walking cape. It was won at the Superman auction in Metropolis IL in 2000. It comes with the hand-written letter of authenticity from Jim Hambrick. At the auction Jim was present, as well as Margot Kidder. I also have some footage of the Cape at the auction and then with Margot Kidder handling it.
I would like around $4000 for it. If you need some more info, pictures… don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Regards,
Ben G
E-mail : [email protected]
Primary Photo:
None
Note:
I am familiar with the apparent seller of this item, Benoit Grenier, based on my own personal first party transaction with him in 2005 (myself in the role of buyer).
I count my transaction with Mr. Grenier as one of the worst I’ve personally had in the hobby.
As a seller, he not only concealed his true identity in negotiations, Mr. Grenier prompted and encouraged me to buy his prop for sale while falsely presenting himself as a third party (he had created a second illicit account after being banned from the Movie Prop Forum for three prior transaction-related disputes with three other members). He shipped me a severely damaged/broken prop, then refused to refund my money. After obtaining a refund through my credit card company, and shipping the broken item back to France at my own expense (with proof of delivery – I have the receipt), he still as recently as last month claims that he never received it back, when in fact he subsequently resold the broken prop to an unsuspecting second buyer, which I’ve confirmed and documented with the that collector and the subsequent owner.
Below are comparison photos showing how the prop was marketed to me, compared with how I received it (click the image for additional photos at a higher resolution):
Mr. Grenier has operated under a number of pseudonyms on eBay on discussion forums, including: “elmoviefan”, “elmstreetprops”, “sithgallery”, “magicbox1973”, “actiondan62”, and others
The last eBay account I am aware of that he used as the owner of the account was “magicbox1973“, which has been NARU (“No Longer A Registered User”) status since 2005.
There has been a recent report of transaction problems with Benoit Grenier on the Movie Prop Forum this year:
For more information, please reference: Market Watch | Superman
Jason De Bord