Jim Hambrick, R.I.P.

Above, Jim Hambrick in his younger days. Photo from the Super Museum Facebook page.

Sad news arrived before I left for Christmas in Lake Havasu. 

Super Museum founder Jim Hambrick passed away Sunday at age 70.

According to WPSD:

METROPOLIS, Ill. — Longtime Superman collector and founder of the Superman Museum in Metropolis, Jim Hambrick died on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 70 years old. But his family and community members say his lasting impact will survive for decades to come.

Hambrick died from heart complications after suffering a heart attack in 2016. His daughter, Morgan Siebert, said since his heart attack in 2016, Hambrick grew weaker. However, she said running the museum improved his morale, and it gave him purpose to keep it open for travelers and the Metropolis community. 

Hambrick grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Metropolis in March 1993. His passion for Superman and collecting started when he received his first Superman lunch box at 5-years-old. Siebert said over the years, he became interested in buying comic books and collectibles. When Hambrick reached 19-years-old, he was known as the world's famous Superman collector.

Hambrick's favorite portrayal of Superman is by actor George Reeves.

Above, the Super Museum in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I visited the Super Museum in 2016 when I attended Noel Neill's memorial service in Metropolis, Illinois.

Above, the Kirk Alyn autographed photo I obtained at Hambrick's
exhibit at Chapman College. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I first met Hambrick around 1982 when he had a traveling Superman memorabilia show, which included an authentic George Reeves Superman costume, at Chapman College (now Chapman University) in Orange County, California. With Hambrick was the original live-action Superman actor, Kirk Alyn. I obtained Alyn's autograph at the exhibit. This was before his move to Metropolis and the founding of the Super Museum.

Above, a George Reeves color Superman costume
at the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

His passing is a big loss to Superman fandom. Thanks to his family, the museum will continue.

To read more, go here.

Superman Statue Gets New Santa Hat

The Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois posted the following on November 30 on Facebook:

This reminded me of my trip to Metropolis in November 2016 to attend Noel Neill's Celebration of Life services.

Upon arrival in town, the first thing (besides the Super Museum) I saw was the Superman statue in the town square. I took photos of the statue with my Winnebago in the foreground. This was a day or so before the Santa hat was placed on it.

I took a few photos of it and had another tourist take one of me at the statue during my time there.

Gene LeBell As "Mr. Kryptonite"

Above, Gene LeBell's "Mr. Kryptonite" costume on display at the
 Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gene LeBell, who was nicknamed the "Godfather of Grappling", was a friend of Superman actor George Reeves. It has been reported in various wrestling and martial arts websites that LeBell passed away at age 89 yesterday.

Above, George Reeves, Noel Neill and Gene LeBell in 1957 on the fair tour.

In 1957, Reeves organized a tour to different fairs and LeBell would perform with Reeves and actress Noel Neill. He appeared as "Mr. Kryptonite" to Reeves's Superman and Neill's Lois Lane in a skit during each appearance.

LeBell's "Mr. Kryptonite" costume is currently on display at the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois as is one of Reeves's Superman costumes.

Above, Gene LeBell and yours truly at the Superman Celebration in 2014.

I took a trip to Metropolis in 2016 to attend the memorial service for Noel Neill and toured the Super Museum. While at the museum, I took the accompanying photo of LeBell's "Mr. Kryptonie" costume.

I met Gene LeBell at the Superman Celebration luncheon at the Beverly Garland Hotel in Studio City and we were seated at the same table during the luncheon. He was a very nice and funny guy.

Chapman College and the Super Museum

Above, the Kirk Alyn autograph I obtained at Chapman College in the 1980s. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before Jim Hambrick opened the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois, in 1993, he had a "traveling Superman exhibit" where he would display some items in his vast Superman collection at different venues. According to Roadside America, Hambrick started collecting Superman memorabilia in 1959. 

By chance, I saw a blurb in a newspaper (this was around 1984, give or take, and before the Internet) that said a collection of Superman memorabilia would be shown at Chapman College (now Chapman University) in Orange County, California.

Above, the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I had nothing going on at the time, I headed down to Chapman College to check it out. As reported, Hambrick had some interesting Superman memorabilia, including a moth-eaten (in some spots) wool Superman color costume worn by George Reeves.

At the exhibit, the first screen Superman, Kirk Alyn was there to meet fans and sign autographs. Alyn had a cameo appearance (with the first screen Lois Lane, Noel Neill) in the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie. I obtained a photo of him as Superman and had him autograph it for me. 

Above, a George Reeves color Superman costume on
display at the Super Museum Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2016, I went to Metropolis, Illinois, touted as the "Hometown of Superman" to attend the memorial service for Noel Neill. I stayed at Fort Massac State Park campground, which is on the outskirts of town on the Ohio River. 

While in Metropolis, I toured the Super Museum Hambrick opened at Superman Square, which features a giant statue of the Man of Steel. It is an impressive museum and one that is worth a trek to. It has just about every Superman relic and collectible one could image along with Supergirl and others. 

Above, yours truly with the Superman statue in Superman Square in Metropolis, Illinois.

If anyone is even remotely interested in Superman or of television, movie or comic book history, the Super Museum is a great place to visit. It also has a gift shop.

The official website for the Super Museum is accessible by going here.

Superman Celebration June 7 -10

Superman Returns star Brandon Routh has been announced as the celebrity guest at this year's Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois, the home of the Super Museum.

Above, the Super Museum in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Superman Celebration is an annual four-day festival sponsored by The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce and the City of Metropolis- The Official Home of Superman.  

Held in Metropolis, Illinois during the second weekend of June every year, it celebrates Superman and all thing super-heroic with featured celebrity and artist guests, a costume contest, concerts, a film festival, and many other family-oriented events.  

Admission to Superman Celebration is free. For more information, please see our website at www.supermancelebration.net.

Above, my visit to the Superman statue in Metropolis, Illinois.

I have never been to a Superman Celebration, but I did visit Metropolis in November 2016 and toured the Super Museum. It is well worth a visit!  Also in town, is a statue honoring Noel Neill as Lois Lane.

Since this is the celebration's 40th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of Superman, this year's event will be a special one.

A Year Ago: Reaching Metropolis

Above, Fort Massac State Park Campground had spacious campsites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was one year ago today that I arrived in Metropolis, Illinois.

I left Springfield, Missouri early in the morning and primarily drove on state highways to get to Metropolis.

It was a nice ride, except the Auto Club Trip Tic was not detailed for the back roads I had to take once I got off the interstate and got a little lost. But I stopped at a market in a small town and a nice girl at the check stand helped out in pointing the way to a different interstate to reach Metropolis. I got into town about a half hour later.

Above, it appears that I made it to the right town as The Beast reached the Superman statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I reached Metropolis, I took a few quick shots of the Superman statue and headed off to the Fort Massac/Ohio River State Park to set up camp. Fort Massac only had electrical hook-ups at each campsite, but water was available to fill the fresh water tank and a dump station.

The following day, I roamed around Metropolis and photographed the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue and toured the Super Museum.

Above, the statue of the Man of Steel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, the next day after that (Saturday), I attended Noel Neill's celebration of life services.

On Sunday, I headed south into Memphis, Tennessee and reached the Graceland RV Park by noon. After setting up camp there, I walked over to the ticket office to take the tour of Graceland mansion.

It is amazing that this was only the first week in what turned out to be a three-week trip.

"Adventures of Superman" Props, Etc.

Last November, I toured the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois. While there, I took a bunch of photos with my Canon camera. I also took three inside the museum with my cell phone in case I wanted to send them out in a text message.

I haven't posted these before, so here they are. They are of the Adventure of Superman exhibit of props and other items related to the show.

Superman Mural Up For Auction

Above, the Superman mural last November. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The giant Superman mural mounted on the outside of the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois is up for auction at eBay. It will be auctioned in three sections. The first section to be auctioned is the panel featuring Dean Cain and George Reeves.

According to Morgan Siebert on Facebook:

Our old mural is up on ebay, we started each panel at $1. We are using whatever funds we raise from these auctions to help cover museum renovation from the storm damage from March. There are 3 panels so 3 chances to own a part of Super Museum history. Happy bidding!! This one features Dean Cain and George Reeves.

Above, the mural (left) on the Super Museum wall facing the Superman Statue across the square. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The mural's eBay page reads:

Up for Auction!

Once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of the Super Museum in Metropolis IL!

This Mural was used on the side of the Super Museum in Metropolis for 10 years!

Countless numbers of people have had their photo taken with this sign!

Chances are you know someone who has a picture of this sign!

We are selling this sign because it has begun to show signs of age and heavy wear, there is some damage on the corners of these panels from removal.

and to help pay for the replacement which we have already bought and hung up in its place.

These signs will be ending on June 7th 2017

The afternoon before the start of annual "Superman Celebration"

It is made out of 3 Panels of Alucobond that is 1/2" Thick 

This first panel is110.4"x60" 

This panel Features Dean Cain and George Reeves! 

The top of the panel has the word STOP

The bottom part of the panel says 

"Rican Hero"

This was the end panel on the right

Panel #3 of #3

We are starting this panel at $1 and just see where it goes!

There is no shipping on these panels.

They are local-pickup only

To bid, go here (4 days left).

Metropolis Trip Video

Above, Superman at the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A video of photographs of my October/November 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois is now up at YouTube.




Places shown include the Super Museum, Meteor Crater, Sun Studio, Graceland, Lincoln Home, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln Museum, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park, Eisenhower Presidential Library and the State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.

Metropolis Attraction Reviews Posted At TripAdvisor

Above, the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The attractions (and one restaurant) I visited in Metropolis, Illinois last November have been approved and posted at TripAdvisor.

Above, the plaque at the base of the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They are:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Superman Statue in Metropolis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To access TripAdvisor, go here.

Reviews of Metropolis Attractions Submitted To Trip Advisor

Above, the Superman statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've finally reached Metropolis, Illinois in my reviews at TripAdvisor. I took a cross-country trip to Metropolis last year.

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following Metropolis places have been reviewed and are pending approval:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To reach TripAdvisor, go here.

Clark Kent or Indiana Jones?

Yesterday, I changed my Facebook profile photo to the photo above. It was taken at the former Ahwahnee Hotel's gift shop in Yosemite National Park last April.

Here's some comments about the hat:

Here's some hats from the Adventures of Superman television show at the Super Museum:

Trip Souvenirs

Above, the Super Museum had a lot of goods for sale, but I passed on them. I've too much stuff already. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent 3-week trip to and from Metropolis, Illinois I stopped off at a number of attractions, but bought very little souvenirs.

I bought some books, but as far as knick-knacks, not much. I have enough stuff as it is. The two new tires I had to get in St. Louis, Missouri and the electric ceramic heater I bought in Kansas don't count.

At Meteor Crater in Arizona, the only thing that "suited my fancy" was an Arizona cookbook.

The only thing I picked up at the Super Museum in Metropolis was this magnet for The Beast:

At Graceland, I did pick up a magnet for The Beast but the only other things were a hat and t-shirts for friends. I did buy a CD of Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii.

I am picky about things like knick-knacks. A lot of items I saw that looked good had "Made In China" stamped on them. I avoided those. A lot of other travelers felt the same way, as I overheard.

At Sun Studio, I bought myself a hat and a CD of The Million Dollar Quartet:

Then, when I went to Springfield, Illinois, I picked up two Lincoln busts (one was carved from a piece of coal, which I found was unique) and a book on the Lincoln Museum.

Here's the busts:

At the Eisenhower Library, I didn't see anything that I particularly wanted. But, when I went on to Colorado, and after crossing Wolf Creek Pass, I stopped in Pagosa Springs for coffee and a snack. But, the restaurant had a gift shop and I found two Indian wool mats that I am using for the dinette's back rests to protect them from Sierra's claws.

I didn't find anything I wanted in Monument Valley. But I took plenty of photographs while there and at other places. Those are sufficient for me.

Some of these places I had been to already and I still have some things I bought back then. I transferred a couple of magnets from the house to The Beast.

Curt Swan Superman Bench

When I visited the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois last month, I noticed a bench in front with a Curt Swan Superman (above photo) on the back rest.

I posted the photo at the Curt Swan, Legendary Comic Book Superman Facebook page dedicated to the works of Swan.

A sharp-eyed fan, Jamie Ewing, posted that the figure of Superman was re-purposed from the cover of the first issue of Comics Collector from 1983 along with the cover. I used to buy Comics Collector when I was still collecting comics to check prices.

Here it is below:

Thanks goes out to Jamie Ewing for the information!

$13,500 for Action Comics number one! That's a bargain by today's standards!

Familiar George Reeves Busts

A couple of items in the Adventures of Superman section of the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois caught my attention as they are quite familiar to me.

The two ceramic busts of Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman were on a shelf. I have these in my collection. As far as I know, very few of these were made and outside of my own, these are the only other ones I've seen.

I don't know if this is accurate, but I was told that these were prototypes. The museum's Clark Kent bust seems to be in better shape. Mine has some minor chipping on the hat brim.

Above, the busts in the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the ceramic George Reeves busts in my collection. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More Stuff At The Super Museum

Above, the Superman statue is just a short walk from the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As mentioned in my earlier blog post on the the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois, there are many things on display on the Man of Steel that span the decades and incarnations. Every space in the museum utilized.

Here are some more things that are on display and to buy:

Above, some of the goodies one can buy in the museum's gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, just about every nook and cranny is filled with memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, props used in the Adventures of Superman. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, memorabilia from the Adventures of Superman. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, inside the Supergirl Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a "break-away" shirt for those quick changes on the road
of George Reeves and his poker/canasta set. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Superman merchandise from over the years. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, original Superman artwork by Curt Swan and others. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, mural of Superman actors outside the museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the magnet I got for the motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.