In a fascinating testament to unwavering passion, Jamie Reigle of Cleveland, Ohio, has meticulously amassed one of the most extensive Superman memorabilia collections in the United States, a lifelong pursuit that began in his earliest childhood.
Reigle’s profound connection to the Man of Steel ignited at just four or five years old, deeply influenced by Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal in “Superman: The Movie.” This early fascination evolved through collecting Mego action figures and later, the Super Powers line, often acquired with limited allowance money at closeout prices, cementing his commitment to Superman collectibles from a young age.
The scale of Reigle’s dedication intensified significantly around the turn of the millennium when he began selling duplicate items at Jamie’s Flea Market. This enterprise not only provided income but also allowed him to funnel resources directly into expanding his prized collection. Notably, he strategically divested from his Wonder Woman, Batman, Hot Wheels, and Transformers collections to exclusively fund his burgeoning superhero memorabilia.
A poignant chapter in his collecting journey involved his Wonder Woman collection finding a new, meaningful home. Reigle sent nearly all of it to Pete Marston, son of Wonder Woman’s creator William Moulton Marston, for his family’s museum, later visiting the impressive basement display in Connecticut that housed his former treasures.
Among his most remarkable finds was a Wing Victory program signed by George Reeves, the 1950s TV Superman, purchased for a mere $50 at a flea market and later sold for approximately $2,000. However, his journey also includes valuable lessons from missed opportunities, such as passing on a vintage 1940s Superman trading card box for $2,000, which later fetched around $13,000 at auction, and selling early comic books for a fraction of their true market value.
Reigle’s dedication extended beyond personal acquisition; he actively participated as a dealer at the annual Metropolis Superman Celebration in Illinois for about 15 years. For two years, he even rented the building in Plano, Illinois, that served as Smallville’s Paynes Toys and Comics in the “Man of Steel” movie during the Smallville SuperFest Celebration, further immersing himself in the hero’s lore.
Today, Reigle’s home stands as a vibrant Superman sanctuary, a true testament to his unwavering commitment to pop culture collecting. The focal point above his couch is a framed first Superman issue, uniquely bearing the signature of co-creator Jerry Siegel, one of the last items signed by Siegel before his passing in 1992. Even more quirky, a display case prominently features unopened Superman peanut butter jars and a truly fossilized Twinkie from DC Comics’ 50th birthday party in 1987, now “as hard as cement.”
Beyond his personal collection, Reigle remains a pivotal figure in honoring Superman’s origins, co-founding the Siegel and Shuster Society in 2007. This organization champions recognition for the Cleveland creators, and his efforts culminate this Saturday with the unveiling of the privately funded $2.2 million Superman Tribute Plaza, a monument celebrating America’s first comic book superhero and his visionary creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
