THE OCEANIC ARTS: VINTAGE TIKI COLLECTION AUCTION

Auction Details

Since 1956, one company has been at the epicenter of the mid-century, pop-culture, stylistic phenomenon known as TIKI. If POLYNESIAN GODS, EXOTICA MUSIC, HAWAIIAN HULA GIRLS and TROPICAL COCKTAILS are the lifeblood of the American Tiki movement, OCEANIC ARTS has been its beating heart. With a dream and a handshake, Robert Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz embarked on an extraordinary journey that even they had no idea would go on to influence style around the world and yes, even the finest in American kitsch. From TRADER VICS and DON THE BEACHCOMBER to SEA WORLD and DISNEYLAND, Oceanic Arts has been supplying a tropical backdrop for fantasy and fun. Their hand-made décor has graced the finest restaurants and hotels of the world, as well as the dingiest dives; Glorious theme parks from California to Florida to the cheesiest roadside miniature golf courses. Countless backyard luaus and home tiki bars have been enriched with their wonderful art. No job was too big or too small for this Whittier, California manufacturer. Modestly, they’ve done it all.

Upon the occasion of Bob and LeRoy’s retirement and for the first time in their 65-year history, artifacts which make up the very soul of OCEANIC ARTS are available for purchase.

This includes Warehouse Showroom Samples, Master Pattern Carvings, Rental Department Inventory and rare ephemera from their vast Archives Library. For decades, collectors and general Tiki enthusiasts have been met with the dreaded NOT FOR SALE tags all over the OA Warehouse. Today, those tags have been set aside.

Now, PEEKABOO GALLERY is proud to offer the greatest collection of Mid-Century Commercial Polynesian-Pop artifacts ever to come on the market: THE OCEANIC ARTS VINTAGE TIKI COLLECTION!

Here is a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, direct from the original source. POLYNESIAN LAMPS, PAINTINGS, CONCEPT ART, VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS, EPHEMERA, DISNEY THEME PARK RARITIES, TIKI MUGS, HAWAIIAN CLOTHING and rare, one-of-a-kind TIKI CARVINGS are all on offer. This is undoubtedly, the largest intact vintage Tiki collection to ever come to the market and frankly, most probably ever will.

Join us as we bid farewell to Bob and LeRoy and wish them, ALOHA, OA!
PLEASE FOLLOW THE SCROLL and BID BUTTON FOR THE MOST ACCURATE BIDDING STATUS. THE LIVE CAMERA/SOUND MAY LAG.

Buyers premium is 23%

PLEASE BE AWARE OF SIZING ON ITEMS. Note the dimensions in the descriptions for items that may be oversized. Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. All items are to be paid for BEFORE shipping can be arranged. Shipping estimates can be provided by our third-party shipping partners. Note lot numbers of inquiry to give to shipping partners.
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SET OF THREE (3) SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO CONCEPT DRAWINGS FOR "POLYNESIAN VILLAGE" ENTRANCE MARQUEE561 - SET OF THREE (3) SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO CONCEPT DRAWINGS FOR "POLYNESIAN VILLAGE" ENTRANCE MARQUEE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1964) A nice study by LeRoy Schmaltz of an early entrance marquee to the "Polynesian Village." This area became The Hawaiian Punch Villag...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (225.00 + 51.75BP) = 276.75
 
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COPPER SHIPS LANTERN - TUNG WOO OF HONG KONG ANCHOR LAMP562 - COPPER SHIPS LANTERN - TUNG WOO OF HONG KONG ANCHOR LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1930s) A copper ship's lantern manufactured in Hong Kong. Features a clear glass lens.15"x8"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold for (300.00 + 69.00BP) = 369.00
 
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BOHDAN B. RESHYNSKI 'SEA SHANTY MUSICIAN' OIL PAINTING563 - BOHDAN B. RESHYNSKI 'SEA SHANTY MUSICIAN' OIL PAINTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Painting of an old salt playing his concertina squeeze box on shore. LeRoy carved an old driftwood backing for the painting, adding to its cha
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (375.00 + 86.25BP) = 461.25
 
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BOHDAN B. RESHYNSKI "SEA CAPTAIN" PLASTER AND WOOD RELIEF564 - BOHDAN B. RESHYNSKI "SEA CAPTAIN" PLASTER AND WOOD RELIEF
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A charming "dimensional painting" by Bohdan of a sea captain standing on a dock, holding a sextant.42"x28"VG+ with typic...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (150.00 + 34.50BP) = 184.50
 
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OA FIBERGLASS SHIPS WHEEL565 - OA FIBERGLASS SHIPS WHEEL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) From the OA Luau Rental Dept. Half the wheel as it is meant to be mounted on a wall.71"x2.5"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (475.00 + 109.25BP) = 584.25
 
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OA CLASSICAL ROMAN DOLPHIN SAILBOAT TILLER HEAD MASTER PATTERN CARVING566 - OA CLASSICAL ROMAN DOLPHIN SAILBOAT TILLER HEAD MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Carved by LeRoy Schmaltz for a private yacht.10.5"x26"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (250.00 + 57.50BP) = 307.50
 
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ED CRISSMAN MASSIVE TREASURE CHEST MAP SCROLL SIGN567 - ED CRISSMAN MASSIVE TREASURE CHEST MAP SCROLL SIGN
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This fantastic sign was created by Ed Crissman sometime in the 1960s for his own, short-lived Tiki and nautical decor store. It features beaut
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 4,500.00
Sold for (1,875.00 + 431.25BP) = 2,306.25
 
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FIBERGLASS PIRATE FIGUREHEAD DISPLAY568 - FIBERGLASS PIRATE FIGUREHEAD DISPLAY
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A fiberglass pirate captain figurehead sample from the OA Nautical Dept.22"x7.5"x6"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (275.00 + 63.25BP) = 338.25
 
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FAUX SHIP'S ANCHOR569 - FAUX SHIP'S ANCHOR
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A welded metal hollow ship's anchor made for commercial display decor. From the OA Luau Rental Dept. Large and heavy. Shipping to be arr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold for (275.00 + 63.25BP) = 338.25
 
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SET of TWO (2) SHIPS DORADE BOX AIR INTAKE FUNNELS570 - SET of TWO (2) SHIPS DORADE BOX AIR INTAKE FUNNELS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1940s) Nautical surplus acquired by OA for the Luau Rental Dept. Shipping to be arranged by the buyer and will be substantial. Pick up preferred.36...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
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SHIPS LANTERN "DURKEE MARINE PRODUCTS - STATEN ISLAND NY"571 - SHIPS LANTERN "DURKEE MARINE PRODUCTS - STATEN ISLAND NY"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1930s) Features a red glass lens.24"x11"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (350.00 + 80.50BP) = 430.50
 
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SHIPS TELEGRAPH (MORE INFO FROM BOB)572 - SHIPS TELEGRAPH (MORE INFO FROM BOB)
Peekaboo Gallery
(1930s) The brass telegraph plate is vintage but not original to this model. Has lighting installed for decorative purposes.45"x16"x6"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold for (1,125.00 + 225.00BP) = 1,350.00
 
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OA CREATED HARPOON RACK with FAUX WHALING IMPLEMENTS SHOWROOM DISPLAY SAMPLE573 - OA CREATED HARPOON RACK with FAUX WHALING IMPLEMENTS SHOWROOM DISPLAY SAMPLE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) OA created this design for several clients in the 1960s and 70s. It replicates a 18th Century ships harpoon rack for stowage of whaling weapon
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,500.00
Sold for (2,200.00 + 440.00BP) = 2,640.00
 
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LARGE SHIPS RIGGING BLOCK PULLEY574 - LARGE SHIPS RIGGING BLOCK PULLEY
Peekaboo Gallery
(19th Century) A large and quite impressive block pulley, most probably from a tall sailing vessel of the 19th Century. One can see an item such as th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (350.00 + 80.50BP) = 430.50
 
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VERY LARGE NAVAL DOCK CLEAT575 - VERY LARGE NAVAL DOCK CLEAT
Peekaboo Gallery
(1930s) As one can imagine, a dock cleat of this size is of a very substantial weight. Shipping to be arranged by the buyer and will be substantial. P
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 375.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
 
 
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OA NAUTICAL FLAG TRIM PANEL576 - OA NAUTICAL FLAG TRIM PANEL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) These panels were created by LeRoy Schmaltz as part of the Nautical Dept offerings to help commercial designers work nautical themes into thei
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (275.00 + 63.25BP) = 338.25
 
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OA "TAHITI RUM BARREL NO. 40" SHOWROOM DISPLAY MODEL577 - OA "TAHITI RUM BARREL NO. 40" SHOWROOM DISPLAY MODEL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A typical ships cargo barrel stenciled with liquor markings. Created by Bob Van Oosting.29"x24"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (650.00 + 149.50BP) = 799.50
 
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TURKISH SAILOR BARNEY WEST FIGUREHEAD CARVING578 - TURKISH SAILOR BARNEY WEST FIGUREHEAD CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A Turkish sailor carved as a ships figurehead standing display by Barney West.40"x22"x15"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold for (1,125.00) = 1,125.00
 
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LARGE GREEN SEA TURTLE SHELL579 - LARGE GREEN SEA TURTLE SHELL
Peekaboo Gallery
(19th Century?) Here is a large Green Sea Turtle shell purchased as an antique by Oceanic Arts in the early 1960s. The outer layer has been removed re
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (950.00 + 218.50BP) = 1,168.50
 
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#2367 OA "NAUTICAL MOTIF CRATE LIGHT"580 - #2367 OA "NAUTICAL MOTIF CRATE LIGHT"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) These ingenious creations of LeRoy Schmaltz came about from LeRoy's aversion to waste. Used shipping crates and pallets sent to OA would...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (650.00 + 149.50BP) = 799.50
 
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