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Key signed by Superman found 'hiding in plain sight'

Matthew LockwoodBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageThe Cannon Group, Inc/Golan-Globus Productions/Warner Bros A still from Superman IV shows the location filming in Milton Keynes. Superman is smiling with his arm around a boy while a hot dog salesman is standing behind, wearing sunglasses.The Cannon Group, Inc/Golan-Globus Productions/Warner Bros
From Krypton to Milton Keynes – somewhere that might seem like an unlikely place to spot the famous American hero

A piece of Superman memorabilia signed by the late actor Christopher Reeve is being auctioned by a charity after being found "hiding in plain sight" at its office for more than 40 years.

The wooden commemorative key had been hanging on the wall of Age UK's Milton Keynes building, which had served as a production base for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

Scenes for the 1987 movie saw Reeve dangled above Milton Keynes Central Station in his superhero costume.

The charity hoped the online sale would raise enough money to fund "urgent repairs and improvements" to its building, ensuring it remained a "welcoming and accessible place".

News imageDavid Waterman Christopher Reeve, dressed as Superman, is suspended in the air during filming in Milton Keynes. He wears the classic blue suit with a red cape and a "S" emblem. Crew members are standing beneath him in an urban outdoor setting under an overcast sky.David Waterman
Released in 1987, Superman IV was panned by critics, fans - and even its own cast

The Superman memorabilia came into the charity's possession as a thank you gift from Cannon Films, which produced the film.

The key was signed by the late Gene Hackman who played the character Lex Luthor and the late Margot Kidder who played Lois Lane.

It was valued at £2,500, although the auction house, Goldin Auctions in the United States, believed it could fetch a higher price because of its "unusual provenance and connection to such an iconic Hollywood film and its stars", according to Mark McCarthy, a spokesperson for the charity.

"Our ultimate dream would be for a local Milton Keynes business or individual to purchase the key at auction and bring it back home," McCarthy said.

News imageAge UK Milton Keynes The image shows a large decorative wooden key mounted inside a rectangular light-wood frame with a cream-coloured backing. The key is cut from a single piece of polished wood with a warm honey-brown finish. It is displayed horizontally, with the rounded head of the key on the left and the teeth pointing to the right. There are several signatures in black writing on the key. Age UK Milton Keynes
The wooden key, signed by members of the Superman IV cast, is being auctioned by Age UK Milton Keynes

According to fan Jason Joiner, who runs the city's National Film and Sci-Fi Museum, about 18 minutes of the 90-minute film was shot in Milton Keynes.

Filming took place at office buildings and an indoor exotic garden, but predominantly outside the railway station, which doubled as the UN headquarters in New York.

Several other locations across Hertfordshire were also used.

"There is something rather wonderful about the idea that a gift left behind by Superman his fellow Hollywood stars all those years ago could now help us give something back to the people of Milton Keynes," McCarthy added.

Bidding for the item remains open.

News imageGraham Bedford Christopher Reeve as Superman is suspended mid-air in front of a reflective glass building during filming in Milton Keynes. A red crane and a white street lamp are in the picture.Graham Bedford
Reeve was lifted high above Milton Keynes using a large red crane

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