A lot of stuff this period, highlighted by a deck that almost beat the $6000 record, and a jacket that went for a ridiculous price. Let’s get started.
Powell
In the regular sports collectable world, “game-worn” pieces are a big hit with collectors. Jerseys that were actually worn by the athlete during a game etc. Here we have a skateboarding equivalent of that. An original Rodney Mullen deck that was ridden by the maestro himself, probably in tiny shorts and kneepads. Wonder how many tricks he invented on this? $425 seems low to me for a piece of history
The rumor is that one of the next rounds of Powell reissues will feature the original Mike Vallely elephant deck. Same shape and everything. I can’t wait, because I’d love one, but I’m not dropping $910 to get one, even if it is white dipped and mint.
Talking of reissues, ever wonder how a reissue would affect the cost of the original, especially in the same color scheme? Wonder no more. This original white, stinger Steve Steadham complete went for $405. You can get exactly the same deck reissued for $65 at most online stores. This guy did a nice job with everything except the rails. Everything keeps the red and white motif, even the wheels, trucks and copers! Oh yeah, the reissue doesn’t have wheel wells. Suuuwheeeet.
Here’s your average Lance Mountain Future Primitive deck. The buyer put down and average $355 on it. Not much else to say, except nice color.
Yeah yeah Neil. We know. Decks go for big bucks. We get it. But how about that mint set of Powell Threes that I have in my closet? Never ridden? Then throw them on eBay my friend. This set of purple Powell Threes went for $182. 85A and chunky as hell. We all rode them back in the day.
And look, I’ve got an old Mike McGill shirt. I know he’s a dork and everything, but I hear that vintage tees go for mucho moolah? Yup. This ratty McGill shirt went for $157. That’s nothing on the jacket that follows it though.
That team jacket went for $1275. Do you think the guy wears it, or is it mounted on the wall?
Santa Cruz
Let’s follow up the Powell blitz with a couple of SCs. First up we have the ever popular Jason Jessee Neptune. Again, a deck that was reissued, but the original holds its value, especially the rare “shark tail”. $430.
Rumor has it that Steve Alba was approached from SC and asked to reissue one of his famous graphics. He supposedly said “fuck off”. So. The Witchdoctor and the tiger graphic will remain original only. This version of the Witchdoctor was owned by Salba himself—this color scheme never made it to market as you can imagine. I think it is super nice, but collectors only drool over mint production decks, so this went for the small price of $421. Go figure.
Dogtown/Z-Flex
I’ll swear that this Dogtown Wes Humpston deck has been in my ebay watch columns before, but I can’t be bothered to look right now. It’s early Sunday morning and I’m tired. I’ll swear that I recognize the Kryptonics sticker. I wonder if it went for more than the $635 this one fetched?
And then we have the original Jay Adams design Z-Flex deck. This one is undrilled and mint as mint can be. $511
Vision
If we have a Vision section, then we have to have a Gator deck, right? So here it is. A 2nd or 3rd generation (note the pointier nose and stinger shape). Sweet colorway. $412.
Then we have a Vision deck that never made it into production, at least I don’t think so. A deck for the band The Cure. Joe Johnson probably had something to do with it. Wasn’t he friends with those wimps? Who’d win in a fight, Morrissey or Robert Smith? I’m putting my money on the Mancunian Mauler, Morrissey. Oh yeah, the deck went for $371.
H-Street
I don’t think I’ve ever had an H-Street section before! First up is this Matt Hensley model. Yup, Matt Hensley of Flogging Molly fame. One of the most famous H-Street graphics, penned by Art Godoy I believe. Very very popular deck. The early H-St videos were the bibles of modern street skating, and Hensley was one of the high priests. $560.
This sweet Ron Allen deck went for $455. I always liked to watch Ron skate. He was good.
World Industries
A whole slew of early 90s WI decks here. First up is the Randy Colvin “porno” deck, with private parts nicely covered by a black bar for eBay. $421
This was one of the very first World Industries decks: the Jesse Martinez. Intricate graphic abound, and note the SMA graphic on the nose. For awhile the company was called SMA World Industries. This primo piece only sold for $391, which is a bargain IMHO.
This Jeremy Klein vegetables deck is VERY popular, especially with the vegetarian collectors out there. How popular? $749. Wowee. It is a fun graphic.
his is the 1st graphic Mike Vallely had on World, and it’s a real beauty. It’s got the elephant that he’s famous for, but standing on the edge of a crumbling cliff. Everyone told Mike he was committing professional suicide by leaving Powell, so this graphic represents that. I love it. $400.
Rocco helped Natas launch 101, so lets’ follow up WI with 101. This month we have the 2 most famous 101 decks. First up is the Natas “Boom” deck, which represented the space shuttle tragedy. It’s a real prize for collectors and comes up very seldom. $532. The price might be a little low because it’s not completely mint. Nice deck though.
Then we have the daddy of them all. This one just failed to beat the $6000 Hawk deck in deck history. This is the Natas Satan graphic. Pulled very early, this is the holy (or unholy) grail of a lot of collectors. It fetched $5,366. Yup. That’s big bucks.
Miscellanous
First up is a really weird one. This is a very limited Birdhouse Tony hawk graphic. Looks really beat up? No. That actually is the graphic. It gets talked about in the Tony Hawk special Transworld issue that came out last year. This deck was rumored to have existed, and then one came up on ebay. Go figure. $510.
Of more recent vintage is this Driven Jay Adams deck. Driven is Jason Jessee’s company. Yup, it says Skate Nazi and has a swastika. Very limited. $356.
A hand drawn Gonz graphic. I think it sucks the big one, but Gonz collectors go nuts for this stuff. $521.
Here’s a true classic. A Kryptonics Micke Alba complete with Stage 1 Indys and big blue Kryptonics wheels. A great piece, and the stickers actually add to it. $711.
Metallica? I personally hate ‘em, but Zorlac made a series of decks for them in the late 80s. they all hold their value well. This Pushead drawn one went for $310.
More next month.
-Neil
