Ebay Watch: March / April 2013

60s, 70s, very early 80s.

First up this in the 70s section this month is this Alva “Litebeam” from 1979. It is NOS, never gripped or mounted. Some folks raised some questions over the validity of this deck, but the seller claimed to have owned it since it was new because his family owned a bike shop, and that seems legit. It sold for $2,000 on 32 bids

Here we have a Duke Kahanamoku complete from the early 60s. Its in very good used condition, and the clay wheels are clean and the trucks are not rusted. This historic specimen sold for $649.

And from a similar time period we have this Hobie Super Surfer Waffle Deck skateboard from the early 60s. It is obviously much more advanced than the Duke board above, but it still has the clay wheels and similar trucks. It sold for $600 on 5 bids. .

Here we have a great looking old used complete. It just has a ton of character and was obviously lovingly ridden and cherished throughout the years! It was originally a Santa Cruz Steve Olson “Rainbow Logo” from 1979, but has been completely plastered with Santa Cruz and Indy stickers, so much so that the original graphic effect is pretty much gone. But the stickers give it its own graphic charm and plenty of history too! It comes with Indy Stage Is and OJ Radial Juice wheels. It sold for $332 on 11 bids.

And here we have the obligatory Z-Flex Jay Adams fiberglass deck from 1977, complete with Bennett trucks (plastic baseplates) and Powerflex 7 wheels. The whole setup is NOS, and could have come from a skateshop yesterday! Talk about a time machine find! It sold for $2,139 on 25 bids.

And here we have a Sims Bert LaMar Super-Ply Stinger. It comes complete with blue Gullwings (tracker bushings and Z-Flex copers??) and Sims “The Wheel” IIs. It’s in very good used condition, and even the grip tape o the topside is very clean. The broken lapper looks bad, and the yellow Z-Flex tail “triangles” are just awful, but still, it looks great overall. It went for $800.

Here we have another Sims Bert LaMar Super-Ply Stinger and a Kryptonics Salba K-Beam from 1979. The LaMar comes complete with Gullwings and white Gyros and the Salba has Indys and white Gyros. The Salba has the giant aluminum lapper that park skaters used to sport back in the day. Both completes are in very good used condition, and the pair went for $2,126 on 25 bids.

Here we have a really solid complete from 1978. It’s a Santa Cruz “Stinger” team model. Actually, it lists as a team model, but it was actually George Orton’s unofficial pro model. It has the classic stinger shape, and actually features a real graphic that goes with the name. Simple yes, but groundbreaking nonetheless! It came in 2 colorways, yellow with red, or this one, red with yellow. It’s s rare one in any condition, and this complete is in decent shape. It comes complete with what looks like Stage I Indys and Variflex wheels. It sold for $483 on 15 bids.

Here we have a G&S Doug Pineapple Saladino “Pine Design” deck from 1978, complete with ACS 651s and original green Kryptonics. It is in wonderful condition, and looks like it has barely ever seen concrete. It sold for $750.

And finally from the 70s this month we have this Powell Peralta Ray ‘Bones” Rodriguez “Britelite” deck from 1979. It comes complete with Indy Stage I’s and black Bones Threes. From a distance it looks in great shape, but close up the deck is a little dinged and faded. The wheels actually have no graphics, so either they are factory seconds or are rip-offs. Overall though, it is still a great looking compete, and is well worth the $600 that it went for. The Britelites are rare decks to find.

Mid 1980s

So first up in the 80s section this month we have this glorious Alva “Airbrushed fish” team deck from 1985. Mondo hand airbrushed decks in all kinds of styles in the Alva factory, producing fish decks with stripes, dots and everything in-between. This complete in very good used condition, and the colorway is exceptional. The white dip with pink, green and black swirly airbrushing is really eye-catching. And it’s a one of a kind of course. It comes complete with Indy Stage IIIs and Alva wheels. It sold for $400.

Here we have a Santa Cruz Corey O”Brien “Reaper” deck from 1988. This one is mint in shrink, and the natural stain looks great. It isn’t the absolute best colorway for this graphic: that would be one of the dark stains: but it is nice, and the purple cowl on the reaper is a nice touch. It sold for $1,202 on 21 bids.

And here we have a Santa Cruz Eric Dressen “Celtic Roses” from 1989. It’s mint in shrink and in the glorious dark stain with red, green, gold and blue graphic. It’s a nice one, but I prefer the same stain but with the yellow and blue transposed in the graphic. Now that one is truly outstanding. It sold for $633 on 6 bids.

Here we have one I don’t think I’ve shown before. It’s a Toxic Ken Fillion “Leprechaun” deck from 1989. The deck is in NOS condition, never gripped or mounted. It’s a pretty awful graphic really, amateurish and badly rendered, but the colors are bright on the white stain. I would never have thought a Fillion deck could sell for big money, but this sold for $565 on 30 bids, which really surprised me.

Now here’s the obligatory Vision Gator II from 1988! I show these because the number of colorways that Vision produced for this graphic amazes me, and the graphic is so strong that they almost all look good! This one is in a light woodstain with light blue swirl and green and orange Gator logo. It is fully setup but has barely been used, and the neon green Gullwing trucks, Powell Street Bones wheels and plastics actually add to the overall appearance here. It’s an amazing looking piece and it sold for $351 on 28 bids.

Here we have a Powell Peralta “General Issue” team deck from 1984. It has been setup but never ridden. It was also never gripped which is odd! The trucks are novelties too. They look like Trackers but aren’t. One has “Big Ben 1984” and the engraved signature “Ben Miller” on it. Anybody have any ideas? The wheels are dual colored Bones IIIs. It’s a nice looking complete and it sold for $1,247 on 19 bids.

Here we have a Powell Peralta Tommy Guerrero “V8”, his first graphic. It wasn’t out very long, as they switched the graphic to the Flaming Dagger within a year. This one is in a silver dip, and while its not in great shape, is still very rare, and the graphic is all there. With some cleaning this would display beautifully. It sold for $757 on 15 bids. .

Here we have a Santa Cruz Jeff Kendall “Atom Man” from 1990. This one is mint in shrink, and in an interesting green stain. The colorway isn’t the best being very monochromatic, but it’s still a very collectible piece. Kendall’s of this period are really starting to explode in price. This one went for $1,014 on 29 bids.

This is a Schmitt Stix Joe Lopes “Crystal Ball” from 1985. This particular deck is in very good used condition. It has been lightly used, but has no major dings or scratches across the graphic. The colorway is pretty naff really: that dark stained wood is pretty ugly; this would look far better in a lighter natural wood. Still, it’s an early Crystal Ball with front and rear wheelwells. It sold for $960 on 20 bids.

For you freestyle freaks here’s a Walker Jim McCall “Thumbs Up Guy” from 1987. The deck is NOS, never setup or gripped, and has been signed multiple times by Jim. The yellow and green colorway is nice, and this deck appeared to cause a frenzy of interest amongst freestylers in Europe for some reason! It sold for $338 on 13 bids.

Here we have a Skull Skates “Mutant” team deck from 1987. This is a deck that came in two different shapes, one for regular and one for goofy foot skaters. It also came in two graphics, this being the later, more graphic model. It’s in good used condition, with the only real problems being the holes for rails and tail. This sold for $550.

Here we have a SMA (NHS) Natas Kaupas “Panther Bulldog” from 1988. It was the full size Panther model and the artwork is by Wes “Bulldog” Humpston. This one is almost perfect. It’s in the killer red stain, has the gold wings and green claw, and it’s mint in shrink. What more could you ask for really? It sold for $1,675 on 32 bids, all the way from Japan; so shipping was going to add another $55 too.

Here’s a Santa Monica Airlines (Rocco Division) “Think Crime” team deck from 1988. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped, and this might actually be the best colorway for this graphic, because it lets the main graphic really pop. The red stain doesn’t work with the pink circle, and the yellow stain doesn’t work with ticket on the tail. That is a nice looking deck, and the top graphic is funny too: it shows a ticket, with the words, “If Skateboarding is not a crime then why a I getting a ticket?” It sold for $748 on 30 bids.

Here we have a Santa Cruz Rob Roskopp “Face” from 1986. This one is the Blacktop version and is mint in shrink. The dark pink stain is wonderful, and the yellow eyes and teeth are most unpleasant! It attracted 16 bids, and ended up selling for $1,378.

Now here’s a beauty. It’s a Skull Skates “Mirrored Skeletons” team deck from 1989. This sucker is classic Skull Skates. It’s a very simple graphic and colorway, but is absolutely wonderful. The natural wood with red and black graphic? Perfect. You don’t need day-glow colors or intricate designs. The deck is NOS, and is one you don’t see very often at all. It sold for $400 on 8 bids.

Here’s another one of my personal favorites! It’s a G&S Doug Smith “Bomber” from 1988. It’s NOS, never mounted or gripped, and the white dip is the best colorway for this graphic. It’s simple and classic. My only beef with this deck is that hanging decks horizontally is a pain in the ass, and this one clearly needs to be hung horizontally. It’s a great looking deck that sold for $560 on 6 bids.

And here’s another great looking deck. It’s an Alva Fred Smith “Dragon Rider” from 1989. It’s NOS but it does have the normal storage marks etc. The natural wood is great here, acting as a neutral backdrop and really allowing the intricate graphic to really pop. It has great colors and a very well rendered graphic for an Alva deck. It’s also one that is exploding in value, even with collectors that don’t normally go for Alva stuff. It sold for $609 on 11 bids.

Here we have a Town & Country “Street Team” deck from 1984. Now, why this is the “Street” deck is an interesting question, because all four of the T&C decks from that period had exactly the same shape! Maybe this graphic was considered more street for some reason? I do like the colorway though. The flat grey dip is nice, and probably should have been used more as a neutral background. The aqua and lime green makes a great foreground color, and the T&C “Yin-Yang” logo is an absolute classic. The deck is NOS, and it sold for $590.

Remember the ridiculously low priced Uncle Wiggley complete that I featured last time? I think it went for $80? Well the buyer decided to make some quick cash on it by removing the big stupid sticker and then putting it on eBay again. Either that or a VERY similar deck in similar condition with the same tail dome and rails just happened to show up weeks later. The trucks and wheels are different, but that’s an easy swap, and the wheels on the one last month were unusual whereas these Bones Street Bones are not. Anyway, the $80 is a distant memory because this one sold for $705.

And finally from the 80s this month we have this Madrid “Ex Team Rider” team model from 1985. It was John Lucero’s pro graphic, but when he left for Schmitt Stix, Madrid kept the graphic and made it the X Team Rider model. That was a good idea because it is an excellent graphic. This one is NOS and in the excellent blue dip with pink and green main graphic. This generic version used to be worth far less than the Lucero, but that is no longer the case. This sold for $604 on 8 bids

90s-present day

First up in the 90s section this month we have this Dogtown Bryce Kanights “Flower Guy” deck from 1991. It’s NOS, never mounted or gripped. The charcoal stain and oranges and yellows make this deck a real looker, and the graphic grabs attention. The rag doll is leaking orange sand, which is what makes the BK name. There was a “Flower Guy” 2 deck a few months later when he is completely empty. It sold for $387 on 8 bids.

And here we have a New School (Alva) Jason Corbett “Pinocchio” slick deck from 1992. It’s in NOS condition and the green colorway is attractive. Was Jason Corbett known as being a big bloody liar? That’s what the graphic suggests by the length of the nose! It sold for $511.

Here we have a deck that’s one the fast track to high prices. It’s the Powell Peralta Mike Frazier “Yellow Man” deck from 1991. This one is in good used condition: the graphic is almost perfect If it wasn’t for the griptape and the rail holes it could pass for NOS. Any road up, this deck sold for $373 on 13 bids.

Here we have a Blind Jason Lee “Cat in the Hat” deck from 1990. It doesn’t need much introduction right? The underside of this deck is in amazing condition, but the topside is pretty ratty and beat up. It has dirty orange griptape and plenty of dings. But underneath? Amazing condition. It sold for $1,100.

And staying with the Jason Lee theme we have this Blind Jason Lee “Dodo” in NOS condition. Never gripped or setup. Again, no introduction of this one is needed right? Or of the early 90s graphic battles between Blind, Vision and Powell? Good. The green wash stain on this one is very attractive, and being NOS instantly elevates this one out of the reach of most of us. It sold for $2,500 on 5 bids.

And here we have a Chocolate Keenan Milton “Taxi” complete from 1996. It comes complete with Grind King trucks and unknown wheels, but the wheels are FAR too large for the setup. It has no riser pads, and that means that the large diameter wheels are basically brushing against the bottom of the deck. A sharp turn and you’d be spilled from this complete faster than you could say “Hospital please!” It sold for $450 which isn’t bad, but is a far cry from the sellers claim that it is the “probably the last one on earth”.

And here we have a Plan B Rodney Mullen “Scientist” from 1997. It’s in NOS condition, and is a pretty damned rarely seen graphic. The orange and black colorway is striking, and the Sci-fi b-movie graphic is effective, but too small. A horizontal treatment would have been far more effective. But still, it sold for $484.

Here we have a Toy Machine “Knuckles” signed team deck from 1999. It’s been signed by the entire team of the time, and that includes Ed Templeton (he did a sketch too), Chris Senn, Brian Anderson, Elissa Steamer, Bam Margera, Kerry Getz and Mike Maldonado. The deck is NOS, but it leads to the interesting discussion of whether the deck would be worth more without the signatures. It sold for $750

And we will finish the 90s section this month with two 101 Natas decks. First up is the 101 Natas “Devil Worship” deck from 1991. This one is NOS, and that’s all you need to say really. Personally I don’t like; it’s too damned obvious to me and that makes it NOT clever at all. But still, it is a bold statement and it sold for $4,000 on 22 bids. Yes, $4 grand.

And finally from the 90s this month we have another 101 Natas deck, this one being the “Oops” deck from 1991. This one has never been mounted or gripped, but I wouldn’t call it NOS because it does have some obvious scratches, probably from being stored in a stack with other decks. Still, it sold for $1,225.

Assorted Crap

Here we have a very rare Powell Bones skateboard wheels poster from 1978. The artwork is by VCJ, and the poster measures 33” tall by 22” wide. It’s black ink on thick poster paper and it still looks great. It sold for $275.

Skateboarding was so huge in the mid 80s that you saw tons of strange companies advertisng their wares in Transworld. Stuff that you never saw in actually skateboard shops. One such company was Galaxy, who made a series of very overprices decks that were only available through mailorder. They used some kind of crazy foam construction technique I believe, and they all feature some kind of warrior graphic. This one is #4, “The Collector of Lost Souls”. It sold for $300.

So here’s the obligatory Powell Peralta team jacket from 1989. This one is a size medium, which would be an XS today. It’s in very good condition and sold for a huge $1,500 on a Buy It Now after 2 hours. $1500 for a paper-thin jacket in a size that is too small to fit you. Sounds like a great deal to me.

Here we have a set of four Sims Pure Juice ‘Giant Slalom” wheels from 1977ish. These things are really beautiful. The ruby-red transparent urethane allows you to see the hourglass shape of the bearing seats when viewed from the side. They are minty fresh, and they sold for $500 on 19 bids.

And here’s another set of Sims wheels. Actually it’s two sets, 8 wheels total, and mint in package. They are Sims Gyros (aluminum hubs) this time, probably from 1979ish, Complete with the sticker and warranty card. They sold for $500.

Ok, let’s get to the reissue insanity shall we? Hold your hats because this shit is getting ridiculous! Here’s the Santa Cruz Corey O’ Brien “Reaper” reissue from 3 years back. It’s more often seen in white dip, but they did reissue it in different colt stains too. This is the blue stain and it is mint in shrink. But it is still a reissue! It’s a heat transfer and it’s less than 5 years old! This sold for an insane $831 on 19 bids. You can find an NOS original for the same price.

And here’s another Santa Cruz reissue. This is the Salba “Tiger”, again from just a few years ago. It’s a dark blue-grey stain and is mint in shrink. It sold for $530 on 42 bids.

Quick Hitters

1989 Alva “Street Shadow” team deck. NOS. $355.

1989/1991 Powell Peralta Ray Barbee “Hydrant” and “Tarot Card” decks. Mint. $1,505 on 29 bids.

1993 Plan B Pat Duffy “Bobba Fett”. NOS. $800.

1993 Plan B Rick Howard “Han Solo”. NOS. $800.

1989 Santa Cruz Jeff Grosso “Alice in Wonderland”. Gripped but never used. $1,136.

1986 Powell Peralta Tommy Guerrero “Flaming Dagger”. Mint. $1,241 on 22 bids.

1991 Fishlips Gator “7-11”. NOS. $655 on 18 bids.

1987 Santa Cruz Jason Jessee “Sungod” full size. Mint. $1,625 on 17 bids.

1990 Powell Peralta Bucky Lasek “Stadium”. NOS. $611 on 27 bids.

1988 Powell Peralta Mike McGill “Skull and Sword”. 7 Ply full size. NOS. $500 on 9 bids.

1988 Sims Eric Nash “Bandito 2”. NOS. $820 on 22 bids.

1990 SMA (NHS) Natas Kaupas “Kitten”. NOS. $721.

1994 Powell “Voodoo Lounge” team deck. Mint. $474.

1985 Powell Peralta “Rat Bones” team deck. Mint. $1,624 on 22 bids.

1987 Schmitt Stix “Rip Saw” mini. NOS. $919 on 18 bids.

1993 Small Room “Heads” team model slick. NOS. $600.

1984 Powell Wade Speyer “Evil Clowns” slick. NOS. $750.

1990 SMA Julien Stranger “Flying High” deck. Good used condition. $406 on 8 bids.

1988 Toxic “Team Toxic” team deck. Complete with Thunders and OJ IIs. Very good condition. $500 on 17 bids.

See ya next month.

-Neil