A Santa Barbara-based Craigslister is selling this Hobie sign for over $52,000. Photo: Craigslist
Let me start by saying this: there is no way we can independently authenticate this seller’s claim. But, a Santa Barbara Craigslister may have a piece of history on their hands that they’re looking to make a pretty penny off of.
The ad claims the seller has “the original” Hobie storefront sign, and that it’s the only one of its kind in existence. “Hobie Alter’s hands-on creation for the Hobie Surfboard Dealership,” explains the ad. “Was located in Santa Monica on Wilshire Blvd. Fiberglass and pigmented resin in the perfect Hobie logo proportions. Created in the 60s and has survived with minor dings.”
The seller is asking for $52,500 for this purported relic of surf history and asks that only serious buyers inquire. As if the price tag doesn’t already say as much.
It’s worth noting that although it’s entirely possible Hobie licensed his name to a surf shop in Santa Monica, his original shop was famously located in Dana Point. And in this photo of Alter in his shop taken by Bruce Davidson in 1965, the sign is clearly different than the one pictured.
Hobie Alter in his shop in Dana Point circa 1965. Photo: Bruce Davidson
I’m not saying the Craigslist seller is full of shit. What I am saying is that photographic evidence suggests that the “original” sign they’re selling is not the original sign. It’s still pretty rad, though.
