Lots of stuff in this period, including a real surprise, and a t-shirt that went for a ridiculous price: the new owner must be kicking himself. More on this later.
Powell
Steve Caballero started selling some of his own collection on eBay during this period, so there’s a lot of Cab deck, some previously unseen. First up is this 1992 “Tank Girl” deck. This deck was never officially issued, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it. $618. Nice graphics, but wtf on the shape? Looks like a freestyle deck.
Then we have this 1990 unreleased “mask” deck. I’m not surprised they never issued this one. Ugly with a capital UG. Didn’t stop somebody from shelling out $819 though.
The we have this Cab “dragon on motorcycle” deck. Part of the series of decks that featured the dragon doing stuff that Cab digs. There was the dragon playing guitar deck, and this rarer one from 1991. $472. I dig the double drilled nose.
The Lance Mountain Future Primitive deck. Simple. Classic. Pink. $445.
One of the most popular Powell decks on ebay is the Mike Vallely elephant. They come up a lot, but they ALWAYS fetch decent $. Two came up this period. First is this rare blue one. $710. Below that is a much more common white one that went for $490.
The funny thing is, a white one went off just a couple of days ago, and it went for over eleven hundred, so the hell knows? Ebay is a mystery, even to somebody who knows it pretty well like me
I tell you what, I hate to see somebody get ripped off, but if you interfere in an auction it’s unfair to the seller, and as long as they aren’t lying, that is unfair. This VERY common Ray Underhill deck recently went off for $202. How common is it? You can still get it at at least 2 of the online stores for under $70. Guys, before you bid, do a little bit of research. You might save yourself some green.
Two pieces of Powell clothing went for decent money this period. First up is the classic Powell Ratbones jacket. I would love one of these, and they should reissue this one. $255.
But then we have this Steve Steadham t-shirt. Probably seemed like a good deal at the time. You never saw these, and how better to get some instant cred than to wear a shirt from a forgotten pro? So the guy paid $360 for it. However, a month later Powell reissued the Steadham deck, and guess what else they reissued too? That’s right, the Steadham t-shirt. Crap. There goes all of the cred he just paid $360 for. I can get basically the same shirt for $25 at skateone. Bummer. (Except it’ll just have “Powell” and no “Peralta” -ed)
Santa Cruz
Aaah. The Jeff Grosso “Alice” deck. So revered. So hunted. Well here’s one, and t only went off for $561. Yes it’s used, but I still expected more. Far more for a deck so rare. Of course the color is pretty crappy. . .
So too the Jason Jessee “Guadalupe”. Much prized and highly valued, at least until the reissue comes out in the fall. $270 seems a cheap price to pay.
And the Natas panther, with graphics done by Humpston. $418. An awesome looking deck in white. Everything pops so much. Should be hanging in a gallery, this one.
Something old, something new and something in the middle from Wes Humpston et al this time. First up we have these 2 early (1978) Dogtowns. Both Wes Humpston designs. The top one went for $600. I’m not sure why the baseplates are still attached: are those Lazers? Nice noseguard too. Looks to be in great shape.
I’m not sure why the bottom one went for $760. It might be that homemade wooden tail dome? The nose looks a little messed up. Personally I’d have preferred the top one.
Remember the Suicidal Tendencies decks that Dogtown put out in the mid 80s? Well here’s one that I don’t remember at all, but somebody must because it went for $835. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a plainer deck go for more money.
Now to the present day. This beautiful 2003 Bulldog limited edition Shogo Kubo deck went for $125. Humpston is still doing amazing things over at Bulldog: you should check ‘em out if you haven’t done already. Better you spend your $70 there (or at Cold War, heh heh) rather than on some piece of crap, made in China World Industries deck. Have some pride.
G&S/Sims
Don’t normally have much of a showing from these 2 original companies, but we have some this month. First up is the 1st Neil Blender deck: the Snakes and Ladders deck. A rarity in this or any condition! $716.
Similarly, here is the very 1st Billy Ruff deck, the G&S “chalice”. Simple graphics on a simple pig shape. $230.
The Sims Lester Kasai “splat” deck was an 80s classic. Shit, this must have been out for 3 years. How different that is to today, when riders change their graphics every month! $375.
Jeff Phillips. Great skater, much missed. RIP. Another classic graphic that lasted for years and has been much copied. $362.
And delving back even further into the Sims archives we have this deck from the 70s. Is it a taperkick? Whatever it is, it cost somebody $605.
Miscellanous
The JFA Assassination model. Controversial and hideous, but still worth $610. (What Company? – k.ed)
Madrid has been reissuing some of its old decks: Bill Danforth, Beau Brown, Mike Smith. The most eagerly anticipated was the John Lucero “jester” great graphic. They reissued it in its famous lime green, but they did a very limited number in gold. This one was auctioned on ebay with the proceeds going to charity, and it fetched $435. Nice one.
With the crap they sell today, it’s hard to remember when World Industries was cutting edge. Somebody must, because this early Steve Rocco went for $950. Yes, it says SMA, but this SMA had little to do with Skip, and was right on the verge of WI.
And this World Industries Mike Vallely “circus” went for $1150. A classic deck. See how the blanket on the elephants back has the SMA logo covered up by the globe and World Industries type? Also see the launch ramp and broken board symbolizing the end of an era? Very clever. Mike is leaving the circus, get it?
The winner of the month was this Schmitt Stix Joe Lopes “crystal ball”. I always hated this deck, but I guess I’m in the minority as it got bid up to $1,872. Clever idea but badly rendered IMHO. (Surely more collectable for fans/friends of the late Joe Lopes than it it is purely for the graphic – k.ed)
Last this month we have a couple of oddities. First is this new, Black Label limited edition Jason Adams punkpoint deck. They were hand screened and signed by Jason, featuring some of his favorite musicians. This one is the much sought after Joe Strummer deck. $202. It looks great: Good luck finding one. (STRUMMER! -ed)
Finally we have this classic bumper sticker that must have been issued after Vision went under in the early 90s. Honk if Brad Dorfman Owes You Money! Fucking classic!
More next time.
-Neil
Visualizing a world where all decisions are based on money.