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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PAIR OF OCEANIC ARTS BUSINESS CARDS41 - PAIR OF OCEANIC ARTS BUSINESS CARDS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1961) A pair of early OA business cards from the move to Philadelphia St. The first standard card and Bob's tiny "gag" card.Small: 1&...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 75.00
Sold for (400.00 + 92.00BP) = 492.00
 
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1967 OCEANIC ARTS CALIFORNIA SELLER'S PERMIT42 - 1967 OCEANIC ARTS CALIFORNIA SELLER'S PERMIT
Peekaboo Gallery
(1967) A renewal of the California seller's permit for OA once the 901 West address was reassigned to 12130 E Philadelphia St.3"x5".EX
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 125.00
Sold for (550.00 + 126.50BP) = 676.50
 
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A RARE SCHMALTZ-VAN OOSTING INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BIG GREEN BARN WAREHOUSE DISPLAY43 - A RARE SCHMALTZ-VAN OOSTING INTERIOR PHOTO OF THE BIG GREEN BARN WAREHOUSE DISPLAY
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) Rare photo of the Schmaltz-Van Oosting showroom at The Big Green Barn.4"x5"VG+
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold for (200.00 + 46.00BP) = 246.00
 
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PAIR (2) OF ORIGINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS OF THE DRAGONS DEN - BELLFLOWER, CA44 - PAIR (2) OF ORIGINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS OF THE DRAGONS DEN - BELLFLOWER, CA
Peekaboo Gallery
(1962) Two (2) ink and colored pencil drawings of one of OA's first full custom bar outfitting jobs.12"x18", 12"x18"VG+ with...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (600.00 + 138.00BP) = 738.00
 
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OCEANIC ARTS MOST COMPLETE "COUNTER COPY" INVENTORY CATALOG IN BINDER45 - OCEANIC ARTS MOST COMPLETE "COUNTER COPY" INVENTORY CATALOG IN BINDER
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970) This is by far, the most complete OA catalog to surface. This particular copy graced the front counter at OA for years. Many have flipped throu
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (1,600.00 + 368.00BP) = 1,968.00
 
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OCEANIC ARTS LIGHTING CATALOG ORIGINAL LAMP ILLUSTRATIONS46 - OCEANIC ARTS LIGHTING CATALOG ORIGINAL LAMP ILLUSTRATIONS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1963) Early ink and conte crayon renderings of OA lamps on illustration paper.8.5"x11"EX
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (1,600.00 + 368.00BP) = 1,968.00
 
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OCEANIC ARTS LARGE TAHITIAN TIKI POST ORIGINAL DESIGN SKETCH47 - OCEANIC ARTS LARGE TAHITIAN TIKI POST ORIGINAL DESIGN SKETCH
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A handsome, large original design sketch of the famous OA #153 Tahitian Tiki Post in ink and graphite on brown paper. Signed by LeRoy Schmaltz
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (850.00 + 195.50BP) = 1,045.50
 
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OCEANIC ARTS EARLY WAR CLUB DESIGNS DRAWING48 - OCEANIC ARTS EARLY WAR CLUB DESIGNS DRAWING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A large design drawing showcasing the many different styles of OA war club designs available in their catalog. Graphite on paper. Signed by Le
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (300.00 + 69.00BP) = 369.00
 
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INCREDIBLE LEROY SCHMALTZ OA ORIGINAL CONCEPT SKETCH OF THE ICONIC MAI KAI HOURGLASS LAMP49 - INCREDIBLE LEROY SCHMALTZ OA ORIGINAL CONCEPT SKETCH OF THE ICONIC MAI KAI HOURGLASS LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1958) Here is a significant artifact of Polynesian Pop history! In a testament to Oceanic Arts' influence in the early years of the Tiki Era an...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,900.00) = 1,900.00
 
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ORIGINAL EARLY PEN & INK CATALOG DESIGN SKETCH OF FOUR FIGURAL TIKIS SIGNED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ50 - ORIGINAL EARLY PEN & INK CATALOG DESIGN SKETCH OF FOUR FIGURAL TIKIS SIGNED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) A gorgeous concept drawing of four tiki figures, most probably for an early Schmaltz-Van Oosting catalog. Signed by LeRoy Schmaltz. Pen and in
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (900.00 + 180.00BP) = 1,080.00
 
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SET OF TWO (2) OCEANIC ARTS ORANGE COUNTY FLORAL SHOW BOOTH STILLS51 - SET OF TWO (2) OCEANIC ARTS ORANGE COUNTY FLORAL SHOW BOOTH STILLS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1957) A pair of nice booth photographs from the Orange County Floral Show. Schmaltz-Van Oosting provided decor to a few vendors of the show. In this
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (370.00 + 85.10BP) = 455.10
 
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PRIMITIVE ART OA DISPLAY SIGN52 - PRIMITIVE ART OA DISPLAY SIGN
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) This original sign was carved by LeRoy Schmaltz to showcase the OA Primitive Arts Collection featuring all the artifacts they collected on THE
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold for (1,800.00 + 414.00BP) = 2,214.00
 
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VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT OF "OUR GLORIOUS LEADERS" in FRAME53 - VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT OF "OUR GLORIOUS LEADERS" in FRAME
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) This print of Bob and LeRoy on The Big Trip has been on display at the OA front desk for over 40 years. It features the boys with members of t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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A SET OF ABORIGINAL ITEMS FROM "THE BIG TRIP"54 - A SET OF ABORIGINAL ITEMS FROM "THE BIG TRIP"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Framed photographic portrait print of a PNG warrior with an Eveready Battery in his ear. This is coupled with a framed front page headline fro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold for (370.00 + 85.10BP) = 455.10
 
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No Lot55 - No Lot
Peekaboo Gallery
No Lot
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 0.00
 
 
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PAIR OF VINTAGE MICRONESIAN PALAU ISLAND STORYBOARD PANELS56 - PAIR OF VINTAGE MICRONESIAN PALAU ISLAND STORYBOARD PANELS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Vigorously and deeply carved featuring scenes of traditional daily life. Decorated with bold polychrome paint.A: 29.5"x8", B: 35.5...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (1,400.00 + 322.00BP) = 1,722.00
 
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MICRONESIAN MORTLOCK MASK57 - MICRONESIAN MORTLOCK MASK
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A transitional style Micronesian Mortlock Island Tapuanu Mask having detailed lime and charcoal paint.17"x6"EX
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold for (475.00 + 109.25BP) = 584.25
 
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PAIR (2) OF WALLABY FIGURAL CARVINGS58 - PAIR (2) OF WALLABY FIGURAL CARVINGS
Peekaboo Gallery
(Mid-Century) New Guinea Trobriand Island stylized Wallaby carving on tripod feet with outstretched arms and canted head.16.5"x3.5", 17&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (425.00 + 97.75BP) = 522.75
 
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SET OF TWO (2) PAPUA NEW GUINEA TRIBAL ITEMS59 - SET OF TWO (2) PAPUA NEW GUINEA TRIBAL ITEMS
Peekaboo Gallery
(Mid-Century) A New Guinea post top or finial of a stylized bird with applied red pigment and a New Guinea Kundu with snakeskin top. Traditional hourg
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (375.00 + 86.25BP) = 461.25
 
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WHIMSICAL NEW GUINEA MIDDLE SEPIK IATMUL KNEELING FIGURE60 - WHIMSICAL NEW GUINEA MIDDLE SEPIK IATMUL KNEELING FIGURE
Peekaboo Gallery
(Mid-Century) A robust ancestor figure with inset shell eyes kneeling on a stylized Turtle or Mudfish with spirit face. Varied surface having worn pig
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold for (475.00 + 109.25BP) = 584.25
 
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