“superman”
Costume from the original film sold for €350,000
Christopher Reeve as “Superman” in the original 1978 film.
© imago/Everett Collection
The ‘Superman’ suit worn by Christopher Reeve in the original 1978 film has fetched over €350,000 at auction.
More than 40 years ago, Christopher Reeve (1952-2004) slipped into the famous “Superman” costume for the first time. Now the original suit from Richard Donner’s 1978 comic book adaptation has changed hands. At an auction on Thursday (November 3) in London, the piece of film history was sold for more than 350,000 euros.
Costume was also used in sequels
Specifically brought tunic, cape, trousers, belt, leggings and boots according to the auction house “Propstore Auction” 312,500 British pounds (approx. 365,100 euros). It had previously been estimated that the parts could go under the hammer for up to £500,000. The new owner was not disclosed.
According to the auction site, the costume was also partially used in the two “Superman” sequels. The long-sleeved tunic is made of blue nylon and has the words “Christopher Reeve Normal 18628 Superman 3” embroidered on the label to distinguish it from the costume of “Evil Superman” from the third “Superman” film.
Christopher Reeve became internationally known through the role of “Superman”. After a riding accident in 1995, the actor was paralyzed from the neck down and largely retired from film production. Reeve died in 2004 after suffering a cardiac arrest. The 2006 film “Superman Returns” was dedicated to him.