Ebay Watch: January 2014

January was an interesting month. Some unusual decks came up, and some real collectibles that you hardly ever see. Its actually a very interesting time in the market. We are seeing some new collectors out there, collectors who apparently cant or dont want to distinguish between original decks and reissues. They are more than happy to splash big $ on a reissue deck, presumably because its new and shiny and will look good with the rest of their hipster décor in their ugly-ass apartments. Up until now collectors have either had a real sense of skate history, or have been drawn to decks they remember from their youth. But these new, Facebook-generation collectors seem to have very few ties to the skateboard community as a whole and make no distinction between OG or reissue, screen or heat transfer. It will be interesting to see where this all goes. Maybe I should start “Reissue Watch.”

60s, 70s, very early 80s.

Here we have a combo auction featuring a Z-Flex Jay Adams fiberglass complete from 1974, along with a signed Jay Adams Flyaway helmet from 1978ish. The board is complete with Bennetts and Logan Park Rider 5 wheels that look unused. The whole package is in great condition and looks awesome, apart from the hideously out of place Powell Ratbones sticker behind the front truck. Jays signature on the helmet is in silver sharpie and would look great apart from the huge ‘2013’ he put on there for some reason. It sold for $1,075 on 27 bids.

Now here we have a Sims Grey Ayres ‘Flying Wedge’ from 1979. The surface of the deck is pretty beat up, but the deck is structurally sound. The seller claims it will look fine with a new coat of varnish, but Ill leave that to the 70s experts to chime in on. The grip has been removed from the top, leaving that weathered and faded too. It sold for $600.

And heres an unusual one! Its a G&S Proline 500 team deck, complete with Trackers and Yoyos. This deck was hand airbrushed, apparently by Debbie Gordon and her dad Larry circa 1978. Each one is slightly different, making this one of a kind, although all of the decks looked pretty similar. Its still a sweet piece of late 70s skateboard history though, and it sold for a large $1,500. I would imagine somebody had been looking for one of these for a long time.

SO last month one of these G&S Henry Hester racing rigs went off for over a grand, and as often happens that must have caught somebodies attention because another one came up the following month! Just like the other one its a G&S Fiberflex Henry Hester slalom deck with gold Gullwing split axle HPG IV trucks, but this one has Henry Hester Road Rider wheels. It has been ridden but very very little, and is in great condition as you can see. The stickers on the bottom detract form the value a little, especially the Tracker sticker, because whats the point of that on this complete? But still, its an amazing board and it sold for $850.

So lets take a trip in the way-back machine. Here we have two NJ-Aluminum Pro-Surfer completes from the mid 1960s. The silver one was a little cheaper and has steel wheels, while the gold one was top of the line and has ‘fiber’ wheels whatever that means! These were advertised as the ‘The first anodized aluminum skateboard available anywhere’! Originally the silver sold for $4.95 while the gold was a hefty $9.95. The original box is included. They sold for $381.

Here we have a Santa Cruz ‘Stinger’ team model from 1979, complete with Indy Stage IIs and Kanoa Surf wheels. This thing is enormous, and I doubt if the side cutaways really helped too much with the weight of this thing. Its normally seen in yellow with red graphic, so this red w/ white is a rarity. Its not in the greatest condition, but its not too bad. It was one of Santa Cruzs first decks with a real graphic. The DP stripes and Olson checkerboard followed right after, so I guess this was a trailblazer. It sold for $771 on 24 bids.

Now heres an interesting complete. Its a Variflex ‘Ten’ team model from 1979, complete with Lazer Grindmaster trucks and Sims Street wheels. The board is gripped and ready to go, but doesnt look like it was actually ever ridden. The graphic is simple but informative: youd never have to take a tape measure to figure out how wide it is! Variflex also had a ‘Nine’ model too: guess which one is wider? Its super clean and was a bargain at $358 on 6 bids.

And finally from the 70s this month we have this rare Hobie Greg Weaver pro model from 1977. The bottom is the typical mid 70s graphic: company logo and pro name printed on. But the top of this one has a crazy wood inlay like nothing Ive ever seen before. Im guessing that no two were the same. Its truly unusual, and maybe thats why it sold in less than 2 minutes for $400 on a BIN.

Mid 1980s

So first up in the 80s section this month we have this Powell Peralta Ray Barbee ‘Fire Hydrant’ from 1989. Its mint, still in shrink, and in the classic natural wood. That really allows the grey, black and red main graphic to pop. That is one clean looking deck. It sold for $1,050.

Now heres a lovely piece of unusual lumber. Its a G&S Neil Blender ‘Picasso’ complete from 1987. It comes with what appear to be white Thunders, Toxic Waste wheels and rails and tail guard. The white Thunders are unusual by themselves, but what makes this set-up is the split stain on the deck, going from dark blue to natural. Now, if I worked in the G&S woodshop I wouldnt have put the dark blue part of the graphic on the dark side of the stain, but its still an impressive looking deck. It looks like it has had minimal use. It sold for $450 on 42 bids.

Now heres a beauty that you dont see very often. Its a Blockhead ‘Sick Sense’ team deck from 1989. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped. The colorway is really nice here. I particularly like the grey-green stain with the bright graphic, and the gradation in the floating type. It has the typical great Blockhead artwork by Ron Cameron. It sold for $410 on 12 bids.

Now here we have a Alva Dave Duncan ‘Claw’ from 1987. The deck is NOS, mint really, and is the full sized version. No dings or obvious marks at all. The colorway isnt the greatest, but I do like the gradation in the graphic, which goes from orange to yellow. This is one of those decks that can vary greatly in price depending on the colorway. A fade would go for big bucks. But this one? It sold for $400.

Here we have an H-Street Matt Hensley ‘Peace Pole’ deck from 1990. The deck is NOS, never mounted, but it was gripped with clear grip on top. It also has a couple of Grind King stickers on there, so no, that green cross you see to the right of the figure doesnt belong there! This is the mini model, and it sold for $375. I dont really rate this deck, or any of the H-Streets at all, but I know they have a rabid fanbase out there.

Here we have your classic Santa Cruz Jason Jessee ‘Neptune’ deck from 1989. Its the later version with the mermaid tail and tattoos, and is probably the most famous version of this graphic. The colorway is odd on this one: the top stain is a lime green, but the bottom looks orange, but maybe its just a bad photo. The colors in the graphic are great: I really like the purple castle and yellow snake, but the turquoise mermaid doesnt really go with the rest of it. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped, and does have some storage marks on top. It sold for $2,716 on 41 bids.

Here we have a Madrid Ken Park “Shattered Crystal Ball” deck from 1985. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped. It was Ken Parks first pro model (at least I think so) and his only model on Madrid. He later went to Town & Country and then to Vision. The graphic is simplistic and poorly rendered (a simple black line and no dimension for the crystal ball? Really? Really??) and the colorway is nothing special, but finding an early Madrid like this in NOS condition is amazing. It sold for $950 on a BIN after 45 minutes. Who knew a Krapnek would be so popular?

Up next we have this Schmitt Stix Hans Lindgren ‘Crow Bar’ freestyle complete from 1987. It comes complete with black Trackers and red Powell freestyle wheels. The trucks and wheels had been used on other board previously, so they are pretty worn but the deck looks almost unused. Which was a nice bonus for the buyer! It sold for $386 on 19 bids.

Here we have the Santa Cruz Micke Alba ‘Tombstone’ from 1985. This is the early pig shape: later they kept the same graphic on a stinger shape. The seller claims that its never been gripped or set up, but I cant list it as NOS because it has some of the worst storage marks Ive ever seen. On the topside it looked like somebody used this as a cutting surface! Still, the graphic is awesome and the matte black dip is badass. It sold for $505.

Here we have a SMA (Santa Cruz) Natas Kaupas ‘Panther 5’ from 1989. The deck is NOS, never been mounted or gripped, and is in a very striking colorway. The red woodstain is lovely, and the graphic is a stone classic. Its funny how the deck could have been in a red dip, and would still be brilliant but in a very different way. The red stain gives it a more rustic quality, while a red dip would be shinier and more eye catching. But both would be awesome. It sold for $1,476 on 31 bids.

Here we have a Santa Cruz Steve Olson ‘Dot’ from 1979. Obviously its been well used: the tail is all chewed up and the nose looks like its been reshaped, but the pure class of the graphic still shines through. Seriously, the fact the graphic is simple and full bleed makes it still look great even when the deck is beaten up. SC just reissued this graphic in very limited numbers, so the flippers bought them all and they are all over eBay. SC will make more in April I believe. This original one sold for $429.

So here we have a Vision Kele Rosecrans "’Earth Angel" from 1989. The deck is NOS, never gripped or mounted. Maybe you could call it mint not in shrink because I cant see a flaw! The colorway is superb. The deep purple woodstain is rich and gorgeous, and the primary colors in the graphic really scream. The graphic style is loose and woodcutty, but really works here. Kele was the son of Everett Rosecrans, one of the high ups at Vision, so he had an in to get on the team. But I did see him skate a couple of times and he was very impressive. I like this deck a lot. It sold for $411 on 16 bids.

Here we have a Santa Cruz Rob Roskopp "Face" from 1988. This deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped. It comes in a yellow dip that would look killer on the wall, and is fact one of the rarer colorways for this deck. I never used to show Roskopps, but Ive embraced their silliness now. They are a big slab of over-the-top 80s excess, and although the graphics seemed to be aimed at the 13 and under crowd at the time, those folks are all grown up now and have plenty of cash to splash. This one sold for a large $1,275.

So here we have a G&S Bill Ruff ‘Puppet Bomb’ from 1986. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped, and that is really really rare for an early G&S like this. You see Ruff decks come up fairly often, but they are always used and abused. The pale blue colorway with muted graphic colors is weak, but thats not the point here. Its the condition. You would have to look long and hard to find another Ruff Puppet in NOS condition. It sold for $1,250.

This one always tickles me! Its a Santa Cruz ‘Ramp Street Optical Illusion’ team model from 1984. The deck is the 10′ version and is flat. Like a lot of the early 80s Santa Cruz deck it has no top graphic. The deck is NOS, never mounted or gripped, but does have a lot of storage marks. The auction might feature some of the worst photography that Ive ever seen in an eBay auction. The photos are totally yellow, and I had to do a ton of work in Photoshop to get it to look like this! But it still sold for $510 on 10 bids.

Heres a Sims Kevin Staab ‘Pirate Ship’ mini deck from 1988. The deck has been used, but its one of those cases where the top gripped side actually looks far worse than the graphic side. The graphics here are bright and unmarked really. Like most Staab graphics it is very bright and very busy: theres far too much going on in here. It looks like a page in a kids coloring book, which might have been the idea now I think about it. I wonder if it looks better from a distance? Because close up its a fucking mess! It sold for $800.

Here we have a Suicidal Skates (Dogtown) ‘Street Cycos’ team model from 1984. The deck has been used, but suffers more from smearing and scuffing than any serious dings or scratches. The graphic (as it is) is all there. Its simple and to the point, as is the shape and the colorway. If you were after one of these this will get you all worked up because its so core to Venice. But most people will look at it and say ‘Next’! It sold for $788 on 35 bids.

Now heres one that I dont think Ive ever seen before! But as always somebody will probably find an ebaywatch from 10 years ago where I said the same thing! That always tickles me. Or when somebody says ‘Thirteen years ago you said this graphic was no good and now you like it. Whats up with that?’ Are your tastes in everything the same now as they were 13 years ago? I know mine are not, and thats probably a healthy thing! Anyway I digress. This is a Town & Country "Medusa" team deck from 1988. The deck has been used, but the deck is in very good shape. It has an olive stain today, but that was originally blue as can be seen where the tailguard was and where the trucks were. It also has the original price sticker in the back truck area: it cost $40 new! Its an interesting graphic and shows that T&C didnt just do surf inspired graphics like the one below. It sold for $333 on 22 bids.

And here we have your more classic Town & Country skateboard deck. This is the Zoner model from 1984, and it comes complete with blue Gullwings and yellow Kryptonic CSI wheels. Although all set up the complete looks like it has never been used: the griptape is completely clean and the wheels look mint. Maybe it was a window display or something? Its a classic example of early 80s surf inspired graphics: geometric shapes and bright colors. This sold for $850.

And finally from the 80s this month we have this Alva John Thomas ‘Ankh’ deck from 1986. Its an interesting colorway this. I cant tell if its a simple green stain with natural spot in the middle behind the graphic, or if it really is the classic Alva fade. Im leaning towards the latter, but its tough to tell 100% because of the dolphin tail shape: the tail is completely dark green and doesnt have the regular horizontal fade bands. And of course the colors are the Rasta colors of red green and gold. It sold for $350 on 30 bids.

90s-present day

Anyway, first up in the 90s section this month we have this Plan B Mike Carroll ‘Split Personality’ deck from 1993. It is mint in shrink, and very rare apparently. It came out right before Carroll, Howard etc. all bailed to start Girl, so it was very short lived. It sold for $960 on 13 bids.

Here we have a Powell Peralta Mike McGill ‘Trigger Fish’ from 1990. This board really needs to be rescued! It has no-name trucks and wheels, a tail guard that doesnt fit, and a nose bone that doesnt look like it was attached correctly. It appears to be a green stain but when you look at the pictures closely I think it was actually blue and has faded through being left outside. I hope this sold to somebody who is going to remove all the crap and attempt to resurrect this deck. Because its actually in very nice condition! It sold for $308 on 7 bids.

Heres a Plan B Rodney Mullen "Yoda" deck from 1993. Its been gripped and ridden a little, but is still in very good used shape. It sold for $800.

Now this one is so hideous I dont even know where to begin, but Ive never seen it before, so here you go. Its a Powell Peralta Eric Ricks ‘Paradise Painter’ from 1992. Its NOS and has no top graphic, which is exceedingly rare for PP. Maybe they didnt want their name associated with this. Graphic wise this looks like something youd see by the side of the road on garbage day. Or at the back of Goodwill/Oxfam with a broken frame. Personally I wouldnt bring this in even if I needed firewood, but there you go. It sold for $499.

This is a 101 Gabriel Rodriguez "Jesus"’ from 1991. Its in good used condition, and has been gripped and ridden. Apparently Gabriels mom was very catholic and had a huge painting of Jesus in the dining room. When Natas came in to the house for the first time he saw the picture and was like ‘Thats it! Your first graphic!’. And the rest is history. The full bleed was a brilliant idea and it really works. This graphic smaller would not be anywhere near as powerful. It sold for $1,000.

And here we have another 101 Gabriel Rodriguez deck, this being the ‘Baby Jesus’ deck from 1992. It is much rarer than his first model (above) and this one is mint, so you knew it was going to go high. It sold for $1,600, all the way from Australia.

Here we have a Chocolate Mike York ‘Bar’ deck from 2001. Its from a series of Chocolate decks, all showing members of the team drinking in a bar. I have no idea why Mike York is in a bunny costume. The deck is NOS, never gripped or mounted, but does have some storage marks. The artwork is by Evan Hecox. It sold for $425 on 25 bids.

Assorted Crap

Damn! Just look at these enormous, gorgeous wheels! They are Apex Mag wheels from 1976. They are 70mm wide and around 85A. They are completely NOS, never having even smelled pavement. They are an absolute joy to behold. I just love these monstrosities! They went for $350.

Here we have a large sticker collection. The stickers are manily from the 80s, although there are some 70s and 90s ones in there too. Over 250 NOS stickers in tis collection. Think how good these would look plastered all over you frdge! And then think of the endless hours of fun you will have removing them when your girlfriend threatens to move out! They sold for $540.

Remember this set from a few years back? Its the Chocolate ‘Sunset’ set, and rare to see all pieced together like this. Its actually very impressive. There are decks from Richard Mulder, Kenny Anderson, Gino Iannucci, Scott Johnston, Chico Brenes and Mike York. Some of the decks have marks and are warped (modern decks warp far easier than decks did in the 80s it seems), but youre not buying these decks to ride. They are going on the wall just like this. The set sold for $1,714 on 23 bids.

Quick Hitters

1986 G&S Neil Blender ‘Coffee Break’ NOS. $480 on 25 bids.

1979 Dogtown Wes Humpston ‘Bulldog’ complete. Trackers and unknown wheels. $1,150.

1987 Alva ‘Dagger Tail’ team deck. Complete with Trackers and unknown wheels. $364 on 34 bids.

1988 Hosoi (Santa Cruz) ‘Hammerhead Collage’. NOS. $600.

1990 Santa Cruz Jason Jessee ‘Guadalupe’. NOS. $475 on 20 bids.

1988 Santa Cruz Jason Jessee ‘Sungod’. NOS. $754 on 19 bids.

1986 Santa Cruz Jeff Kendall ‘Graffiti’ complete. Complete with Gullwings and OJ IIs. $700 on 2 bids

1981 Sims Bert LaMar ‘Stinger’. Complete with Trackers and Sims Snakes. $900.

1986 Schmitt Stix John Lucero "X1." Complete with Trackers and Powell Peralta Bones Threes. $400.

1987 Alva Jim Murphy “Murf Wings”; deck. NOS. $300.

Seeya next month.

-Neil