Christopher Reeve Superman Cape Listed in Auction

An original cape worn by Christopher Reeve in “Superman: The Movie” is being sold at auction at JuliensLive.com.

Bright red cape with iconic yellow “S” symbol outlined in black, stitched to back. With red cloth ties at neck, padding at top, and four snaps inside. Inside under flap and within inner lining is a handwritten note in blue ink that reads “(was turned up) No 5/6 relined 1/3/78.” Includes a copy of Superman #331, which advertises on a banner above the front cover logo “YOU COULD BE A WINNER IN THE SECOND SUPERMAN MOVIE CONTEST!” Within the comic book is a full-page advertisement for the contest that lists “FIRST PRIZE” as “THE ACTUAL CAPE WORN BY CHRISTOPHER REEVE IN THE FILMING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE!”

The contest involved readers answering correctly 25 questions that appeared at the bottom of the letters pages over the course of three months and mailing the answers to DC Comics in New York City. All entries with correct answers to all 25 questions would be drawn at random, and the first entry drawn would receive “the actual cape worn by Christopher Reeve in the Warner Brothers’ motion picture SUPERMAN.” All entries had to be received by DC Comics by January 2, 1979.

Accompanied by nine pages of supporting documents of authenticity, including a letter to the winning recipient of the cape, signed by DC Comics President Sol Harrison and dated February 27, 1978, and a letter from DC Comics’ Steven Korte to Sotheby’s, New York, dated October 21, 1997.

The letter from Harrison and DC Comics Editor/Publisher Jack C. Harris was addressed to the original winner on DC Comics letterhead and dated February 27, 1979.

You can read the full contents of the letter at JuliensLive.com.

The Christopher Reeve Superman cape is listed as part of the “Icons and Idols: Hollywood” Auction (#3257) which will go live at 10.00am PST on Monday, December 16, 2019. With a starting bid of US$25,000, it is expected to fetch between $100,000-$200,000.