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 FIVE (5) PROMOTIONAL BROCHURES AND POSTCARDS FOR THE TROPICS HOTEL - PALM SPRINGS, CA331 - SET OF FIVE (5) PROMOTIONAL BROCHURES AND POSTCARDS FOR THE TROPICS HOTEL - PALM SPRINGS, CA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A nice collection of promotional brochures and postcards for Ken Kimes' Tropics Hotels loactiosn across California. One was used by LeRo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (325.00 + 65.00BP) = 390.00
 
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BLUEPRINT FOR THE TROPICS HOTEL PALM SPRINGS332 - BLUEPRINT FOR THE TROPICS HOTEL PALM SPRINGS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A blueprint for the marquee signage of the Palm Springs THE TROPICS when it was sold and branded as a Best Western property. OA created new si
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (450.00 + 90.00BP) = 540.00
 
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SET OF 4 COLOR AND B&W PHOTOS OF THE INSTALLATION AT "THE TROPICS" - PALM SPRINGS, CA333 - SET OF 4 COLOR AND B&W PHOTOS OF THE INSTALLATION AT "THE TROPICS" - PALM SPRINGS, CA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1963) Rare set of four photos of The Tropics - Palm Springs. Featured are Ed Crissman tikis on the property.3.5"X3.5" to 3.75"x3.75&...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (250.00 + 50.00BP) = 300.00
 
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ARMET & DAVIS LETTER TO SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING SIGNED BY LOUIS ARMET334 - ARMET & DAVIS LETTER TO SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING SIGNED BY LOUIS ARMET
Peekaboo Gallery
(1961) A very interesting correspondence letter from Louis Armet (Armet & Davis) to Schmaltz & Van Oosting regarding work quotes on carvings...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (100.00 + 23.00BP) = 123.00
 
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SET OF TWO (2) BROWNLINE PLANS FOR THE ENTRANCE PORTICO AND FLOOR PLAN - KONA KAI PHILADELPHIA , PA335 - SET OF TWO (2) BROWNLINE PLANS FOR THE ENTRANCE PORTICO AND FLOOR PLAN - KONA KAI PHILADELPHIA , PA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1961) Brownlines with one featuring the famous George Nakashima designed Frigate Bird that sat atop the A-Frame lintel entrance to the Philadelphia K
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (500.00 + 115.00BP) = 615.00
 
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MOUNTED COLOR INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BORA BORA in ENCINO, CA336 - MOUNTED COLOR INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BORA BORA in ENCINO, CA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This outstanding color photo features one of the most gorgeous build outs of a Polynesian restaurant interior by Oceanic Arts. A professional
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (210.00 + 48.30BP) = 258.30
 
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MOUNTED COLOR INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BORA BORA in ENCINO, CA337 - MOUNTED COLOR INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BORA BORA in ENCINO, CA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This outstanding color photo features one of the most gorgeous build outs of a Polynesian restaurant interior by Oceanic Arts. A professional
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (270.00 + 62.10BP) = 332.10
 
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SET OF THREE (3) BLUEPRINT PLANS FOR THE KONA TIKI RESTAURANT, AMERICANA HOTEL - NEW YORK, NY338 - SET OF THREE (3) BLUEPRINT PLANS FOR THE KONA TIKI RESTAURANT, AMERICANA HOTEL - NEW YORK, NY
Peekaboo Gallery
(1977) An astonishingly late period, somewhat full-bore Poly-Pop build out for the ill-fated KONA TIKI Restaurant. This was a job OA did with designer
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (225.00 + 51.75BP) = 276.75
 
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ORIGINAL SIGNAGE CONCEPT ARTWORK FOR TOMMY WONG'S "THE ISLANDS" - PHOENIX, ARIZONA339 - ORIGINAL SIGNAGE CONCEPT ARTWORK FOR TOMMY WONG'S "THE ISLANDS" - PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) This original concept sketch was created by LeRoy Schmaltz for Tommy Wong upon his purchase of The Islands restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. To
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 225.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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TROPICAL SOUTH SEAS DINING ROOM BROWNLINE340 - TROPICAL SOUTH SEAS DINING ROOM BROWNLINE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A brownline for a tropical-moderne themed commercial interior dining area. Design by Robert Farthing (signed in ink)19"x23.75"VG+ ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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