Yup, that’s right. Baywatch is monthly again. At least, it’s monthly so long as I don’t get too busy/distracted/depressed. It probably doesn’t seem like it, but it’s a lot of work. Who am I kidding though, I love it! Let’s get on with March 06. Not a lot of big stuff went off in March. Still interesting though.
To celebrate the return to monthly posts, the editor has chimed in with a record number of comments.
Powell-Peralta
Let’s start with a Powell that you never see. The Powell-Peralta Claus Grabke. Claus rode for Powell for a very short time in 84, and only a handful of his decks were made. Claus didn’t like Stacy’s domineering attitude or his own lack of involvement w/ his own model, so he left for Madrid. His Powell model is nasty, but rare as all get out. $355 for this really beat up one.
The Lance Mountain Future Primitive model. Classic. $237 got this red one, but you had to pay a lot more for the pink one below:
$510 for this one. I think it’s the dappled paint effect that doubled the price. That was rare at Powell.
You don’t see this one too often. Everybody has seen the first Kevin Harris model with the skeletal Mountie holding the beaver. . $647. However, his 2nd Powell model has the tables turned, and a beaver Mountie holding the skull. Can you believe $675?
Mike McGill. Classic graphic. Always in demand. Holds its value. $530.
The Tommy Guerrero flaming dagger used to be everywhere. There were so many out there that I’m surprised that they worth anything today, but they are. Probably because so many old dudes want one like they had 20 years ago. This minty white one fetched a healthy $305.
I never liked the ripper graphic. It worked on the videos, but I thought the deck looked childish. A guy called Tall Rich in our house had this exact same deck. Hey Tall, you should have held onto it! This mint silver and black fetched $1,251. Great boxed wheelwells.
One of the few Powell reissues that came out well was the first and limited run Caballero full dragon on white. They later issued it in black, but by that time they’d gone to crappy heat transfers, and it looked dull and lifeless. The white was screened though, and the graphic screams on the white. It’s a beautiful looking deck. This one fetched $256, and I imagine that the white will keep going up.
Santa Cruz
Lots of Grossos this month. This fire demon reissue went for healthy $203. Any reissue that breaks the $200 mark is doing really well, especially when you can still get the reissue of the reissue on Black Label..
Here’s an original and it only went for $350. Only $150 more than the reissue! It must be the colorway, because it looks to be in perfect shape.
I always thought this graphic sucked. I wouldn’t give you $20 for it, but this went for $510. Different strokes…
Natas. Bulldog art. Pink. It all adds up to a winner. $560.
I love the COB reaper in this green stain. It really makes the flames and reaper pop. Nice. $510.
And here’s another green Corey. This one went for $616. As normal, it’s how many others have just gone off that determines the price.
Rob Roskopp V. Blacktop edition. Fugly. $495.
The Salba tiger. At least one goes off every month. This one is in a red stain. $576.
And here’s a slightly used Salba voodoo in a blue paint. I have exactly the same deck, same color and everything. Mine is mega trashed though. Bummer, because I could have used the $722.
Another Jason Jessee sungod. Have you seen his new graphic for the SC Veterans Division? Total crap. The sungod isn’t crap though. It’s one of his most sought-after decks. $512.
And now for a reissue of maybe the worst SC graphic of all time. The Slasher. Originally released for Keith Meek, although the reissue doesn’t mention him at all. It’s a Nash-like graphic, and the white paint quickly yellowed in the sun. Me no likey, but look at that: $230. That’s right, it’s a reissue. (Oh sure, next you’re going to say you don’t like the RipGrip guy either – k.ed)
Alva
Ooh, a true late 70s pig. An Alva tri-graphic complete, with tail block, what looks like Road Riders, and one Lazer on the back and an ACS on the front. Great condition: never ridden by the look of the wheels and tail dome. $835.
Here’s the classic Bill Danforth "circle of skulls". Gently used condition. Bill is a very collectible pro, at least some of his Alva stuff is. A lot of 80s skaters related to his no frills approach. $280. (Bah! no Tri-Tail! – k.ed)
And here’s one of those auctions that make you scratch your head. Up until about a month ago you could get this Eddie Reategui deck for $65 online. They still pop up on the bay all of the time, normally going in the $120 range. This one went for $325, which is completely out of line. Supposedly 2 Japanese bidders went head to head or some such nonsense. Good for the seller!
Vision/Sims/Schmitt Stix
A pretty beaten up Sims Dave Andrecht model form 1979 still picks up a respectable $355. It looks like all surface damage: easily restored if you were of that mindset. That’s a nice score.
And how about another Sims/Tracker deck? This is the Lester Kasai "leaf" deck. Simple graphic, nice shape, highly sought after. Kind of a blaahh color, but you never see these on ebay. $405.
John Grigley was never a very well known skater. He was almost better known for his graphics than for his skating, but his decks have become very collectible, again maybe because of the graphics and the novel shapes. This "mask" graphic fetched a healthy $431.
Talking of unheralded skaters, how about Joe Johnson? Best known for being Staab’s running partner, he was another Cult lackey. However, his boards are becoming pretty collectible: $202. It is a nice graphic though.
Gators. Every month. Two completes this month. This first one is the first edition of his graphic, and is highly color-coordinated. Blue and red graphic, coupled with red copers, white Trackers and rails, and blue and red wheels. Wheels wells too, which really dates it. Nice specimen. $500.
Personally I think this one looks better, but it’s a later version of the graphic, and it’s a mini. The colorway is far better, but the vintage and the size must really count: $167.
You want unheralded skaters? How about a European freestyler? That would be the Hans Lindgren model on Schmitt Stix. He always had fun graphics though featuring Heckel and Jeckel: $255.
Assorted
And here’s a novel one! I only know of 2 Lindgren models, and here’s the other, this one being on New Deal from 91. Again it features the 2 birds. $306. A Lindgren collector really got lucky in March! (House of Neil! You are truly a fountain of knowledge! Who else would be able to pull out this obscure and arcane information? You know of only two models for this guy and I’ve never even heard of him! -k.ed)
H-Street decks are very collectible, and the Ron Allen in great shape would be at the top of that list. $355. I assume the nose and tail were fine.
Now this is just excellent. A Variflex (before they turned to crap) Eddie Elguera model from 1979. Recessed rails, wooden tailbone, what looks like 1st gen Indys and homemade copers. That’s just a fucking excellent complete, and the buyer got a steal at $616.
Talking of the 70s, I lived in England in the 70s. One of the big "serious" English skateboard companies was Benjyboard. They made wood decks, often using exotic woods like poplar and ash. Oftentimes they would layer the different woods for a beautiful effect. They sponsored some of the better English pros of the day, John Sablosky being one. This is his model, and a lot of people bid on it. I guess there’s a lot of old limeys like me! $358.
Apparently Z-Flex issued a Shogo Kubo deck exclusively in Japan a few months ago. One surfaced on the bay, and immediately got everyone’s attention. I don’t know why they wouldn’t release it here, because it is exquisite. Traditional Japanese art on a full dipped board. Stunning. $360 won it.
Danny Way decided to rip-off Nash. I wonder where he got that idea. Crap graphic on Blind. Just stupid. $227. (Come on, that’s pretty funny! A lot of people could have thought of the idea, but to actually carry it through to release… Reminds me of a certain Corey Webster Smash Skates pro model that we never got around to releasing… -k.ed)
An early Tony Magnusson, just before he started H-Street. This model was called the X-Ray, and was made by Sure Grip I believe. Supposedly very rare, but if that’s so, why the $227 price tag? (It should be noted that this graphic is a crappy approximation of a U.K. Subs album cover for Endangered Species. Who can blame him though, it’s a great album with good cover art, and even the U.K. Subs think it was one of their best. – k.ed)
I’m saving the best for last. This early SMA/World Industries Jesse Martinez is just gorgeous on white. Look at the detail on the screens. It’s a work of art. The seller put a BIN of $1000 on it, and it was snapped up. The probably good have gotten double that. Just awesome.
See you next time.
-neil
