2015 TV News Archives

September 24, 2015: Superman Television and Movie Costumes on Auction

Profiles in History's 74th Hollywood auction will see close to 2000 iconic Hollywood items go under the hammer from September 29 to October 1 - including an "Adventures of Superman" costume worn by George Reeves, and a "Superman Returns" costume worn by Brandon Routh.

Worldwide bidding begins at 11:00am PST on all 3 days and bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or the Internet via eBay Live Auctions.

Reeves Costume George Reeves' Superman costume, which comes with the "Flying Pan" used in the flying sequences, is expected to fetch around US$100,000-US$150,000.

    This amazing Superman ensemble was worn by George Reeves in 26 second season episodes of The Adventures of Superman - the last year the show was shot in black & white. The gray knit wool suit (with Berman's Hollywood label) consists of tunic with under-strap, leggings, dark brown trunks, tan leather belt with oval brass buckle, brown cape and brown leather suede boots with rear zipper closure. Stitched on both the chest of the tunic and back face of the cape is the signature stylized "S" insignia in dark brown on a field of crème. The muscle under-suit is constructed of a durable synthetic satin-like fabric with sculpted rubber torso, suggesting muscular pectoral, abdominal and bicep muscles. At the end of the first season, George Reeves was hanging by some wires in an effort to achieve a flying shot. One of the wires broke and George fell about fifteen feet. He told producers he would never use the wires again and that they needed to devise a better way of "flying" him. Several special effects men were asked to come up with ways to achieve the flying shots without risking harm to Reeves. Special effects specialist Thol Simonson, along with others on his team, developed the system of using a molded fiberglass pan to hold Reeves when he flew; he would lay on the pan with his costume over the pan to conceal it from view. The pan was bolted onto a hydraulic system that would move him up and down and side to side while a blue-screen projection was running behind him to simulate flight. This 35 x 16 in. fiberglass and steel "flying pan" rig - the magic behind Superman's flight - is included with the costume and was used during Season 2 through to the final Season 6. Both the costume and the "flying pan" come with a LOA from Thol Simonson who kept the costumes following the production of the groundbreaking show. The costume is in unrestored condition exhibiting small areas of surface abrasion and minor tears and staining from production use. The muscle torso under-suit exhibits numerous stains and applied patching (during production) under the arms, yet the rubber still remains supple. The sequences of Superman in flight were the highlights of The Adventures of Superman legacy, and this hero Superman costume with special effects flying rig represents the finest, most complete and historic costume in the history of television to be sold at auction.

Routh Costume Brandon Routh's Superman costume , comes complete with the boots and cape, and is expected to sell for around $15,000-$20,000.

    Complete hero "Superman" costume consisting of a one-piece, blue, muscle-hugging, mesh bodysuit with hard rubber, red and yellow "S" insignia imbedded in chest, marked "Brandon #119." Zipper closure in back and at crotch and velcro cape anchor patches affixed at the shoulders. Bikini-brief style red mesh stretch shorts marked "Brandon." Hard rubber, red and yellow insignia belt with velcro closure. Red, calf-high, leather and rubber, zippered boots with Superman logo in the grip pattern of the soles. Signature red flowing cape of rubberized fabric with velcro pads at the neck for attachment to the blue body suit. Cape collar is labeled internally, "B.R. #48". Boots are stunt versions. This important and iconic hero costume is in very good condition, exhibiting some deterioration to the finish of the latex cape. Accompanied with an original Warner Bros. Studios COA.

Other Superman items on auction include a First Edition of "The Adventures of Superman" novel by George Lowther.

For more information about Profiles in History and to download a complete catalog of items available for auction via mail, phone, fax, internet or live, please visit www.profilesinhistory.com.



2015 Television News

Listed below are all the Television News items archived for 2015 organized into various categories:

Supergirl TV Series News:

Krypton TV Series News: Other Superman Related Television News:

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