The first ever Superman film costume which is grey and brown instead of the famous red and blue has emerged for sale for £64,000.
Kirk Alyn donned the outfit in the 1948 film Superman, released 10 years after the superhero debuted in Action Comics #1.
It consists of a grey wool bodysuit with the famous S symbol on the chest, tight brown wool shorts and a light brown fabric cape.
This colour scheme for the Man of Steel was chosen as it worked best for the black and white film.
It was more distinguishable against the set backgrounds than red and blue.
The first ever Superman film costume which is grey and brown instead of the famous red and blue has emerged for sale for £64,000 (Kirk Alyn pictured as Superman in 1948)
Kirk Alyn donned the outfit in the 1948 film Superman, released 10 years after the superhero debuted in Action Comics #1
It consists of a grey wool bodysuit with the famous S symbol on the chest, tight brown wool shorts and a light brown fabric cape
Actor Kirk also wore the costume in the 1950 sequel, Atom Man Vs Superman, kept hold of it until 1983.
The American star sold it to a private collector and 41 years on it is going under the hammer at Heritage Auctions, of Dallas, Texas.
A Heritage spokesperson said: ‘The most celebrated comic book superhero made his print debut in the iconic Action Comics #1 comic, but it would take a decade for those colourful drawings to spring to living, breathing life on the silver screen.
‘Presented is the costume worn by Kirk Alyn in Superman and its sequel Atom Man vs Superman to make that history.
‘The costume is grey and brown rather than the blue and red we’ve all come to know and love.
‘That is because these were black and white films, and this colour palette was chosen as the best option for that format.’
Kirk died aged 88 in 1999.
Superman became an instant hit with readers after his first appearance in Action Comics #1.
Actor Kirk also wore the costume in the 1950 sequel, Atom Man Vs Superman, kept hold of it until 1983 (Kirk pictured in the costume in 1970)
Film poster for an episode of an early Superman serial, starring actor Kirk Alyn as Superman battling a ‘reducer ray,’ in 1948
To capitalise on his popularity, the Superman comic was launched a year later, the first devoted to a single superhero.
It retailed for 10 cents, the equivalent of £1.50 in today’s money, and was soon selling one million copies per month.
Superman has been played by actors including Christopher Reeve, George Reeves and Henry Cavill.
The sale takes place on February 24.
Superman has been played by actors including Christopher Reeve, George Reeves and Henry Cavill (Christopher Reeve pictured in the more modern red and blue costume for film Superman 3 in 1983)
