California auction house Profiles in History is set to host the world’s first sale dedicated solely to Superman.
The auction, which takes place on December 19, will offer rare movie and TV memorabilia along with vintage toys and collectibles.
It will also feature original comic artwork and – the biggest prize of all – a copy of Action Comics #1, the comic book which featured Superman’s debut back in 1938.
Amongst the main highlights of the sale are Superman costumes worn on-screen by actors playing the Man of Steel.
These include Christopher Reeve’s costume from Superman III (est. $50,000 – $70,000); Brandon Routh’s costume from Superman Returns ($25,000 – $35,000); Henry Cavill’s cape from Man of Steel ($4,000 – $6,000); and Dean Cain’s costume from Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman ($6,000 – $8,000).
Further important props include the ‘Rod of Justice’ used by Marlon Brando as Superman’s father Jor-El in Superman: The Movie ($6,000 – $8,000), and a Superman visual effects miniature used in the film’s flying scenes ($3,000 – $5,000).
The most valuable lot of the sale is the copy of Action Comics #1, which is one of around only 100 copies known to exist.
The unrestored comic book is graded CGC conserved 7.0 with off-white pages, and is expected to sell for $800,000 – $1.2 million.
Also on offer are pages of original 1940s Superman comic book art by co-creator Joe Shuster; original art from the 1960s by Curt Swan; and an original piece of Curt Swan cover art, for Action Comics #350 published in 1966, valued at $60,000 – $80,000.
And for toy collectors, the auction features a treasure trove of vintage Superman collectibles ranging from WWII-era pin badges and prize rings, to Halloween costumes, pogo sticks, swimming goggles and trading cards.
