The emerging value of handcrafted surfboards - part two
Earlier this year I posted an article on Swellnet titled 'The emerging value of handcrafted surfboards'. That article started with the catch-cry “$55,000 in 50 minutes” and I’m delighted to update the market and start part two with “$330,000 in 3 hours”!
Yep, that’s what 111 of WA collector Richard Hadlee’s finest fetched at auction in Perth this week. To see what was up for grabs, you can view the full catalogue with prices here. In case you don’t have time to drool over the catalogue or wring your hands with regret, here are some highlights:
- My research says this was the most comprehensive range of quality boards sold in Australia in the last 15 years. Maybe ever?
- Under the hammer went quite literally 111 classics. Everything from a 1946 wooden paddle board designed by Hawaiian game-changer Tom Blake nuzzled next to one of Duke Kanahamoku’s “Maui Model” longboards (they were mates), up to 7X world champion Layne Beachley’s competition thruster from 2010 – and a top notch example of a broad range of historically significant boards in between. These three went for $10,500, $6,000 and $3,500 respectively; being 20%, 500% and 100% over their reserve.
- Top biller remains one of surfing’s truly significant surfer/shaper enigmas, Michael Peterson. A 6’2” area pin single from 1980, in perfect condition but not, in my humble opinion, one of MP’s innovative shapes, which fetched $16,000.
- A sleek yellow railed 9’5” Phil Edwards 1968 model, shaped by the man credited as being the first to surf Pipeline and the first to have a signature model surfboard, went for $3,600. Whilst not cheap, it seemed like great value to me from a design and historical perspective. Particularly when a replica Greg Noll gun – yep, you know the photo of him sizing up oversized Pipe in striped trunks – went for $7,500.
- Like many, I filled in the bidder registration form, hoping no-one else noticed the 1975 Lightning Bolt pintail by Barry Kanaiaupuni, which was heavily restored; or the two Dick Brewer triple stringer pintail guns, the latter shaped by renowned charger Sam Hawke under Dick’s logo. All three were proud and simple, with clean lines awaiting that one Sunset bottom turn of your fantasy lifetime. They walked out the door at $4,200, $4,700 and $3,400, and subsequently a disappointed section of the standing-room only crowd went with them.
- As you would hope, one of MR’s 7’2” single fins, ridden in the 1982 Pipe Masters, chimed in at $11,700. It reminded me that pre-KS, MR's four world titles were considered unbeatable….and he shaped his own boards! Interestingly the fin was huge, not much different to those on the aforementioned boards by BK, DB and SH. What really stood out when comparing these boards was their thickness, which had pretty much halved over ten years.
- It wasn’t all beer and skittles, whilst stating that “he couldn’t have been happier with the overall result”, Richard Hadlee did share with me that the 1969 Bunker Sprekles “The Fish” was a bargain at $5,200. The catalogue description of “a truly remarkable model” was well deserved - the “dolphin tips” tail had to be seen to be believed.
- Richard also thought the Tom Blake Model paddle board could have got more like $18,000 in a US setting. Its new owner can now explain to his family that he now needs to go on an investment reconnaissance surf trip to Hawaii.
- The bargain of the night, and lowest price, was $850 for a 6’8” thruster by Darren Handley, shaped for Mark Occhilupo in 2006. Try ordering one like that online for yourself tomorrow for less?
In terms of validation of the “emerging marketplace” idea, I’ll leave that to an independent third party, Mr. Peter McKenzie, Managing Director of McKenzies, the event’s auctioneers, who summed it up by saying: “It’s interesting to me as an auctioneer, to see the shift in what people perceive as 'collectables'. It’s no longer an 18th century piece of porcelain, it’s much easier for modern people to relate to a handcrafted surfboard. I get that. I’m always looking for new collectables, I see surfboard auctions as a growth opportunity for us”
In turn, a neat opportunity for me to mention my Surf’n’Turf festival, now in its 4th year. In essence a marketplace for second-hand and vintage boards at fair prices, with live music, food and a grass roots aesthetic. I’m now working with the Fremantle Arts Centre to extend my festival into a bona fide exhibition, provisionally titled 'Surfing As Art'. I have a broad range of ideas in development, if you are interested in finding out more, particularly on how you could be an exhibitor and/or seller it would be great to hear from you – [email protected]
I expect to have some more marketplace updates in the near future. In the meantime, dust all those all boards off - there could be gold in them hills - or at the least a damn fine memory. //DAMON HURST
Comments
"•Top biller remains one of surfing’s truly significant surfer/shaper enigmas, Michael Peterson. A 6’2” area pin single from 1980, in perfect condition but not, in my humble opinion, one of MP’s innovative shapes, which fetched $16,000."
I think I have posted about this before but about ten years ago I saw one of the local body boarders with an absolute pristine MP of the same or earlier vintage which his father had won in a contest associated with Surfabout. It had been under the house ever since. I told him it had to be worth a thousand dollars. I haven't seen him for a long time so I have no idea of its whereabouts now.......but it would have to have similar or greater value than this one.
Having been in the room when Richard was bidding often enough, I know the quality of his collection, but I want to know where the buyers came from. The collector surfboard market in this country has been in the toilet for years. Who were these guys? Cashed up FIFOs? Gina Reinhardt? Would they like a gold pass for Noosa next March?
Anecdotally, a large percentage of boards went to locals spending up big, betrayed by the interest in local WA labels in the collection.
Damon might have more to add..?
If you can put Gina on a longboard at First Point you'll get my money.
@Phil..I suspect the buyers are old time surfers who remember using boards like these (dreaming of using). These would take a prime position in the house or the trophy room.
The interesting phase now is what will make a modern (2000 year+) board a collectable - will it be the rider / shaper or the board itself.
Could be any of those things TB. I've been watching the collecting scene for a while and thinking about what modern boards will become items of value. There are still a few shapers putting out fairly unique boards: Mitchell Rae, Mick Mackie, Jed Done. They'll be worth money for artistry and handiwork. Then there are boards connected to certain surfers and events: think Kelly Slater's Wizard Stick that he won Pipe on, or even the board he sprayed with a modified iPod logo and caused him a bit of grief (see below). Four of those boards were created and you gotta think they'll be worth a small fortune in twenty or thirty years time.
Phil > looking around the room most of the buyers were 50+, even more like 60+, which I guess is no surprise, given the prices paid for individual items. One guy was definitely bidding for Von Weirdo. The auctioneer told me that 10% +/- of the bids came from O/S of E/S bidders but he wasn't sure how many were successful. The most emotional looks of disappointment were on the faces of the 30-50 old's who knew the history of the '70's short-boards, particularly those from Hawaii and wanted something that was clearly out of their reach (I'm with them). A guy about 40, bought the TB paddle board(9k), one of a kind McTavish Flextail (4k), Corky Carrol Flextail (4k), add in the 16.5% "buyers premium and he spent $20k. I was going to approach him for a story but thought he'd rather remain anonomous. Overall, I think it was just an incredible collection that attracted appropriate prices. And I'd say most of those boards will end up on the wall of DS holiday homes..or maybe make an appearance at my artex?? Damon
Thanks for the feedback, boys. Wish I'd been there to see the show. Sounds like the most fun at a surfboard auction since Jack McCoy holding his bidder card aloft (on behalf of Gordon Merchant) and blowing away all other bidders at Randy's Honolulu auction in the middle of the GFC. The rich are not like you and me, are they?
Now what would be the value of a hand shaped Gordon Merchant board ? Remember he used to shape at Jackson's and made great boards, chimes, tucked under rails - great craftsmanship.
Jackson's at Cronulla? Didn't know that. He worked at Scott Dillon's at Brookvale for a while. He's the second from right in this 1966 shot. Photo was used in the recent 'Starting Workshops, Starting an Industry' article.
And yeah, you'd have to think that due to his tucked under edge and the not small matter of starting Billabong his boards would be worth a bit. Though maybe he's bought them all back....
Hmm I wonder what the value of the First reverse Vee I shaped for Tom Curren,and also have the original 7 8 yellow railed board that Tom did the famous cutback at Backdoor with??
Now Phil I know it will be a lot less in Australia as I couldn't even make your top 100 Aussie surfers.....but I think that in the USA......???
Stunet...that's the Scott Dillon crew
Sorry mate..you already said that- old age kickin in
Ha ha...you recognised the photo so at least the memory isn't slipping.
I tell you what in years to come some of Mitchell Rae's boards will be worth a motza from Outer Island surfboards. the master shaper living a quiet under the radar life. Love your boards Mitchell like thousands of other riders. Once you have ridden a Outer Island you will never ride another board.
I agree completely kerry1. He'd have to be one of Australias most innovative shapers at the moment. Beautifully crafted boards, just made to rip!
Do you or have you ridden his boards Reo? His carbon Flextails rip in Indo.
Yes kerry1, got 5 of the v-stringers. And, yes, they sure do rip in Indo. Love to give one of the full-on flextails a go. All I need is more cash, or a mate who owns one! Maybe one day....
Well you have three more than me hahahhaha. A mate of mine who owns a surf school and shop in Sutherland has a 6'8" Carbon flextail waiting for me to buy off him. It is in great condition and he is only asking $500 for it. Can't wait to pick it up in a week or two. then I can really test out what the carbon flex tails are really like. Will let you know. Kerry
I saw a review of this and thought it might interest some of you.
http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/surf-craft
thanks for that one BB > very interesting to me > just tried to buy the book, couldn't do ex-USA. Do u know if pub'd in AUS?
http://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=Richard+kenvin&productTyp...
NICE ONE Blindboy Thanks
That should do it rr
why didn't I think of that? now ordered, many thks. seems simmons is the source?
.........
So many beautifully crafted timeless surfboards, surf history and untold moments of sheer magic. I cannot describe the excitement bidding and the overwhelming anxiety of missing out on possessing a unique surfboard portraying a golden era of surfing.
Awaiting my moment to bid on the 1972 7'3" x 19" Brewer , Sam Hawk singlefin pintail I shifted out of my seat to find my way to the corner of the room. Three hours awaiting my bid seated in a chair I was ready to do battle with many cash frenzied bidders.
Fuck it, this one is mine. If anyone hasn't heard of Sam Hawk (Underground pipe charger from the 70s) do yourself a favour and google what little footage you can over the internet.
Caught in a bidding war which stretched my budget beyond capacity. When the hammer dropped my way and a few hoots from crew in the room I was so stoked.
What now with my prize some of you may ask I am delighted to say I will ride this board on certain exceptional days possibly at Margs. She is a well made solid triple stringer which will purr on an 8ft mainbreak face.
Yewwwww.
A hearty congrats to you Swader. If I was in the room, that's the board I would've been bidding on.
Matt Warshaw posted a short blog and vid clip on Sam Hawk recently:
http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/eos-blog/sam-hawk/
As he did with Dick Brewer:
http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/eos-blog/dick-brewer-our-first-last-greatest-shaping-guru/
And I'll leave the last word (and wave, watch the vid) to Roger Erickson: "It's hard to replace a good Brewer."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqvCc_RGKeo
Cheers mate
Glad you were'nt there, haha
Knowing swader i guess he will make the old singley do layback snaps inside the barrell
Just watched the clip of hawk , now im concerned for the kooks who will get in the road as suweda tuberides margs mainbreak . Wonder if its got a legrope attachment ?
Haha Camel
Yes they better stay clear.
Finally have a craft to rival your quiver.
It has a plug mate.