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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#417 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.871 - #417 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This early carving is another that has long been out of rotation in the OA catalog. Beautifully carved with a highly detailed tribal geometric
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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#411 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.872 - #411 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A large, impressive design carved by LeRoy Schmaltz.31"x11.75".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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#413 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.873 - #413 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) Here is another early design carved by Bob Van Oosting during the early period when he was contributing art to the OA catalog. This finely det
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (1,800.00 + 414.00BP) = 2,214.00
 
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#520 "TAHITIAN SHIELD" WALL PANEL CARVING.874 - #520 "TAHITIAN SHIELD" WALL PANEL CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A fine LeRoy carving of this OA classic. The first catalog version of this was very large at almost 6-feet tall. This version is 4-feet tall.4
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold for (2,500.00 + 575.00BP) = 3,075.00
 
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#425 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.875 - #425 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) From the era of The Big Green Barn comes this New Guinea Mask master carving by LeRoy Schmaltz. This is the impressive, largest variation of t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (3,000.00 + 690.00BP) = 3,690.00
 
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#429 "NEW GUINEA MASK" - EARLY VERSION MASTER PATTERN CARVING.876 - #429 "NEW GUINEA MASK" - EARLY VERSION MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) Another early product initiated by Bob and LeRoy's fulfillment of the Cargoes by Carter catalog. This #429 mask was made later in a much...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (2,750.00 + 632.50BP) = 3,382.50
 
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OA ONE-OFF "NEW GUINEA MASK" FROM THE LUAU RENTAL DEPARTMENT.877 - OA ONE-OFF "NEW GUINEA MASK" FROM THE LUAU RENTAL DEPARTMENT.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) These fanciful mask/shield carvings were made by LeRoy in his spare time. (If you can believe he had any!) LeRoy would occasionally come up wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 260.00BP) = 1,560.00
 
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#407 "NEW GUINEA CEREMONIAL BOARD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.878 - #407 "NEW GUINEA CEREMONIAL BOARD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) A very early Schmaltz-Van Oosting carving. There were two size variants of this carving. This is the largest version and has been out of rotat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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#435 "DUTCH NEW GUINEA SHIELD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.879 - #435 "DUTCH NEW GUINEA SHIELD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An old OA pattern not in use for decades. Nice patina. Spindle chocks present.31"x 8".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,000.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,230.00
 
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#478 "TAHITIAN MASK" WALL PANEL CARVING.880 - #478 "TAHITIAN MASK" WALL PANEL CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A nicely polychromed wall carving with jute tassels. Signed on back by LES aka LeRoy Schmaltz.37"x18".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 240.00BP) = 1,440.00
 
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OA ONE-OFF "NATIVE SHIELD" FROM THE LUAU RENTAL DEPARTMENT.881 - OA ONE-OFF "NATIVE SHIELD" FROM THE LUAU RENTAL DEPARTMENT.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A cartoony native shield comprised of wood and painted matting. Marked "Luau Party Rentals - Oceanic Arts - Whittier, CA" on the b...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
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OA "TAHITIAN TIKI FIGURE" FIGURAL TIKI WALL PANEL CARVING.882 - OA "TAHITIAN TIKI FIGURE" FIGURAL TIKI WALL PANEL CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A LeRoy carved and painted wall panel of the famous OA logo tiki. Signed in ink and carved on the back by LeRoy Schmaltz.24"x10.5"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold for (900.00 + 207.00BP) = 1,107.00
 
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#487 "HAWAIIAN WAR GOD SHIELD" FIGURAL TIKI WALL PANEL CARVING.883 - #487 "HAWAIIAN WAR GOD SHIELD" FIGURAL TIKI WALL PANEL CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A LeRoy carved and painted wall panel of KU, the Hawaiian War God Tiki. Signed in ink and carved on the back by LeRoy Schmaltz.48"x17.5...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (2,500.00 + 575.00BP) = 3,075.00
 
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UNITED AIRLINES MENEHUNE PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.884 - UNITED AIRLINES MENEHUNE PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) These figural advertisements were created by United Airlines in the early 1970s for promotional use at airports and travel agencies.27"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (700.00 + 161.00BP) = 861.00
 
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UNITED AIRLINES MENEHUNE PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.885 - UNITED AIRLINES MENEHUNE PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s).26"x10x8".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (650.00 + 149.50BP) = 799.50
 
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UNITED AIRLINES TIKI PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.886 - UNITED AIRLINES TIKI PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING FIGURE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s).31"x9.5"x8.5".GOOD - Damaged top and repaired break bottom of feather headdresses.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (700.00 + 140.00BP) = 840.00
 
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SET OF TWO (2) DON THE BEACHCOMBER DAIQUIRI & MAI TAI MIX BOTTLES.887 - SET OF TWO (2) DON THE BEACHCOMBER DAIQUIRI & MAI TAI MIX BOTTLES.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Two 25.6 oz bottles from the company's 1970s product line. Mai Tai bottle empty.11.25" tall each.VG with minor wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold for (300.00 + 69.00BP) = 369.00
 
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DON THE BEACHCOMBER MAI TAI MIX POINT OF SALE POSTER FRAMED.888 - DON THE BEACHCOMBER MAI TAI MIX POINT OF SALE POSTER FRAMED.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Point of sale poster to be displayed at liquor and grocery stores where the Beachcomber products were distributed. In bamboo frame as displaye
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (750.00 + 172.50BP) = 922.50
 
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DON THE BEACHCOMBER MAI TAI & NAVY GROG MIX POINT OF SALE POSTER FRAMED.889 - DON THE BEACHCOMBER MAI TAI & NAVY GROG MIX POINT OF SALE POSTER FRAMED.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s).12"x15".VG with minor wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (550.00 + 126.50BP) = 676.50
 
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DON THE BEACHCOMBER OPERATIONS PROMOTIONAL BOOKLET.890 - DON THE BEACHCOMBER OPERATIONS PROMOTIONAL BOOKLET.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A rare promotional booklet featuring holding by the Don The Beachcomber Company which includes images and info in the new Marina Del Rey Don...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (190.00 + 43.70BP) = 233.70
 
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