Wooden commemorative key signed by Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder
Wooden commemorative key signed by Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder

A unique piece of Superman movie history signed by Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder is heading to auction after spending more than four decades at a British charity's headquarters. The large wooden commemorative key was presented to what is now Age UK Milton Keynes by Cannon Films as a thank-you after the building was used as a production base during filming of "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", the 1987 film that marked Reeve's fourth and final theatrical appearance as Superman.

The key bears the signatures of Reeve, who starred as Clark Kent/Superman; Hackman, who returned as Lex Luthor; and Kidder, who reprised her role as Lois Lane. Despite its connection to the production and three of the film's best-known stars, the unusual piece of memorabilia remained on display at the charity's Milton Keynes offices for years before its significance drew renewed attention. It has been valued at approximately £2,500, although its unusual provenance and direct connection to the film could result in a higher selling price.

Age UK Milton Keynes is auctioning the piece to help fund urgent repairs and improvements to its building. The charity hopes the proceeds will help ensure the center remains welcoming and accessible to the people it serves. A spokesperson for the organization said its “ultimate dream” would be for a Milton Keynes business or individual to purchase the key so the artifact could eventually remain in the community where part of the Superman film was made.

Milton Keynes played a significant role in the production of "Superman IV". Approximately 18 minutes of the finished movie were filmed in the area, with locations including office buildings, an indoor exotic garden and the area outside Milton Keynes Central railway station, which doubled for the United Nations headquarters in New York. Reeve was also famously suspended high above the city by a large red crane while filming flying sequences in the Superman costume.

The story behind the signed key gives the auction an unusual connection to both Superman movie history and the British community that helped bring Reeve's final Superman film to the screen. What began as a production thank-you gift nearly four decades ago could now help support the same Milton Keynes organization whose building once served the filmmakers.