The countdown is on for the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction. With four months to go, the list of unique surf collectibles set to go under the hammer is growing. The auction will take place on July 17 and 18
The countdown is on for the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction. With four months to go, the list of unique surf collectibles set to go under the hammer is growing. The auction will take place on July 17 and 18 at the Blaisdell Center, in Honolulu.
Since announcing the return of the auction last month, a flurry of collectors have contacted auction officials, offering up a variety of surf-themed items and looking forward to pre-registration next month.
A variety of surfing equipment has been added, including: rare wood boards from the early 20th century that have been uncovered, surfboards by Tom Blake, the inventor of the hollow paddle boards of the ’30s, unique balsa boards by premier shapers Joe Quigg and Matt Kivlin from the ’50s & ‘60s; and design guru Dick Brewer and his understudies Sam Hawk and Owl Chapman will have early ’70s shapes available.
From the pro surfing ranks, first generation boards from the likes of World Champions Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson and Peter Townend will be offered up, along with Pipeline Masters affcianados Gerry Lopez and Rory Russell. Early ’80s pro boards from Bobby Owens, Barry Kanaiaupuni and two time World Champion Tom Carroll will also be part of the mix.
While surfboards are always the most hankered-after, high-ticket items, other items unearthed so far include very rare, early documentation of surfing from the 1800s in the form of early missionary writing, published etchings and books. Also, newspaper articles, magazine stories, printed books about surfing, travel posters depicting surfing, surfing magazines, water-slide decals, and advertising materials.
World-class designers, shapers and manufactures of the ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s will be in attendance at the auction along with a host of legendary pro surfers. This “gathering of the tribe”, here in the home of surfing, is what sets the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction apart from all others.
“Antiques Road Show”-style appraisals will be available from a panel of expert appraisers who will be on hand during the first day of auction viewing.
Auction officials are still in the “acquisition phase” and, as such, are still seeking quality consignments of surf-themed items. Consignors will receive 90 percent of sale prices with the remaining 10 percent going to a variety of good, charitable causes. Recipients this year will be the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, the Surfrider Foundation and the Surfing Heritage Foundation. Auction proceeds will be divided amongst these recipients, helping to further their various programs.
Over the past four auctions more than $1,500,000 of the finest vintage surfboards and surf memorbilia have changed hands and over $75,000 has been donated to various charitable causes and foundations.
DETAILS:
Friday July 17: Viewing from noon to 6 p.m., including “Antiques Road Show”-style appraisals.
Saturday July 18: Viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., auction starts at 4 p.m.
Free viewing. Bidders must purchase a bidding number.
Pre-registration begins May 1st, 2009.
