Pat Curren’s flared stringer gun.
The Surfing Heritage & Culture Center recently announced their Surf Auction for May 11 in Costa Mesa, California. Presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection, the “California Gold” themed auction will feature historical surfboards and memorabilia with California flair from the 1920’s through the 1990’s. The auction will also include a live online option for those rare book and surfing enthusiasts who want to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from anywhere in the world.
Perhaps the most exciting item for the event is The Surf Riders of Hawaii, known to be the very first book dedicated to surf riding. With only two different versions and eight copies of this book in existence, it is no doubt that The Surf Riders of Hawaii is a rare and collectible book for surf lovers.
Made by hand by A.R. Gurrey, Jr. between 1911 and 1915, The Surf Riders of Hawaii holds a revered place in the world of surfing. Initially made to sell in his local art shop in the still desolate Waikiki beach in the early 1900’s, A.R. Gurrey, Jr. was one of the first photographers to capture the surfing phenomena, thereby opening the sport to world-wide attention. With only eight known copies of this book in existence, the one available at the live auction was the copy that was found by Gurrey’s family in his personal belongings.
“Just over one hundred years ago, surfer and photographer A.R. Gurrey, Jr. hand made and self-published the first book dedicated to wave riding,” said Surfing Historian Tim DeLaVega. “The rarity of The Surf Riders of Hawaii, combined with the dramatic story of the book’s creation and re-discovery over the last 10 years, testifies to the fact that the only copy sold at auction was at Sotheby’s in 2012 for $37,500. We are excited to see this piece of surfing history bought and preserved by someone who will appreciate its value and history.”
Prior to the auction, from today through May 4, 2013, The Surf Riders of Hawaii will be on exhibition at the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center. The exhibit consists of reproductions from each page in the book, the book itself, and reproductions of all the known photographs to have been in the book. Additional photographs by his wife Caroline Haskins Gurrey will also be included. The exhibition is open to the public from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily except Sunday and Surfing Heritage & Culture Center is located at 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, CA 92672.
In addition to this exceptional book, there will be many rare and vintage surfboards auctioned as well. A few examples include:
PACIFIC SYSTEMS HOMES – BUTTE FAMILY BOARD 8’ MID-1930s
In 1929, the surfing son of a cofounder of Pacific Systems Homes convinced the company, that built prefabricated homes, to build and market surfboards. Meyers Butte custom ordered this board for his son Wilson in the 1930s and it became a family heirloom that was customized throughout the generations. This custom construction, with only redwood as stringers and no redwood to protect the rails, results in a unique board owned by the family that caused it all to happen.
Pre-auction estimate $8.5K- $20K
PAT CURREN FLARED STRINGER GUN
Known best for his 1950s balsawood big wave guns, the enigmatic Pat Curren didn’t shape many boards out of polyurethane foam and fiberglass but almost every one he produced was a work of art. This early 1960s semi-gun is no exception. In excellent condition it features the classic Curren lines, built for no-nonsense performance in serious surf.
Pre-auction estimate $7K-$15K
PAT RAWSON SUNSET BEACH GUN 8’ 3” shaped for TOM CARROLL
This Pat Rawson-shaped gun was custom made for two-time world champion Tom Carroll to use to win the 1988 Hard Rock World Cup at Sunset Beach. Rawson, considered one of the North Shore’s premier gunsmiths, foiled this 8’3 super-narrow squash tail specifically for Carroll, who put on what many longtime observers claim is still the best contest performance ever seen at Sunset Beach.
Pre-auction estimate $3K- $10K – NO RESERVE
The Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection will take place May 11, 2013 at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, California.
Stay up to date with all event news by “liking” our fan page on facebook at or on twitter: @SHSurfAuction.
Visitors can also pre-purchase bidding packages for the event in Costa Mesa. Also available to those who are interested in previewing the book for auction.
To pre-register for online bidding, please visit the website.
