This is an update to three previous articles related to the selling activity of Chris Alleaume (who sells on eBay as “calleaume“) and his connections to another seller, “Barbara” (and the eBay account “bhilton01“), as related to auction listings for a Greatest American Hero costume and Superman costume auctions. [Read more…]
This work product is part of the ongoing series of articles about Superman costumes in the marketplace, tracking public auction house sales of costume items 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“). [Read more…]
A reader pointed out some interesting original prop auctions by “kellysheroesmilitaria” on eBay and matching retail props available for sale at website Jas Townsend & Son, Inc. (www.jas-townsend.com). Some of the eBay auctions also feature the same photos found at Jas Townsend & Son. [Read more…]
A little over a year ago I posted a review of a software application called “SnagIt” for the 8.0 version of the software (see SnagIt 8 – Image Capture Software & Electronic Preservation). Now that there is a new 9.0 version of the same software, as well as a solid alternative, “ScreenHunter”, I thought I would revisit the topic.
I recently came across a photo of a Superman costume on display at the Egeskov castle in Denmark, and through further investigation, found additional information – on display and photographed – pertaining to its origins and provenance. [Read more…]
This work product 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“).
What I have attempted to do is catalog the costumes offered for sale to the public by auction houses and by prop dealers on their commercial websites.
The following matrix is an update to the one published last month as version 1.0 (see Version 1.0 article). [Read more…]
Those readers who have followed the ongoing series of articles about Superman costume/costume components offered for sale, attributed to use by Christopher Reeve in the Superman films of the 70s and 80s, will have likely noted that many costumes circulating in the marketplace are marketed as having previously been used as reference pieces in the production of similar costumes for the Superboy (AKA Adventures of Superboy) television series, which ran in syndication from 1988-1992 (four seasons).
Of those costumes listed in the Superman Costume Matrix: Auction House/Dealer Website Public Offerings (ver 1.0, 04/04/08), I count nine (9) costumes which are noted (explicitly or implied by source) as reference costumes for the Superboy television series. This does not reflect the number of additional costumes circulating in the marketplace on eBay that have also been described as former reference costumes for the Superboy television series (see prior articles).
Many of the costumes that are characterized as original Berman’s & Nathan’s produced Superman costumes worn by Christopher Reeve, used as reference by Disney’s “Creative Costuming” as part of the provenance, have letters/LOAs/COAs from “Super Hollywood”, signed by either Ana Mungia or Armando Alvarez. Many are also characterized as “gifts” from the Salkinds (producers of the films and television series). [Read more…]
Over the past several years, the Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) issued by two of the biggest “studio resellers” – Premiere Props and Hollywood Vault – have evolved. Unfortunately, the changes made have been to the detriment of provenance and is a significant missed opportunity given that these companies are in the position of releasing props and wardrobe into the marketplace that are sourced direct from the studios in a fully authorized capacity (making the pieces both authentic and with clear title).
I thought it would be informative to compare and contrast COAs issued by Premiere Props and Hollywood Vault to see exactly what changes have been made over the years, and the current state of certification and provenance offered by these two dealers. [Read more…]