Vintage Surf Decal Collecting

Old Vintage Surf Decal collecting tips

With old surf decal prices rising faster than gold here's a few tips on Vintage Surf Decal collecting.
Why so expensive?

Economics 101, supply and demand. Since decals were designed to be used immediately it's remarkable any have survived at all. These decals produced from 1960-1970 are intrinsically rare by their very nature. Condition is critical. Perfect no rips, tears, cut offs pin holes always gemand more. Torn, cut, water damaged etc. reduce value. Beauty and good artwork always gee into play. Printing mistakes may or may not be and issue depending on severity.
Popularity. There's a few that all collectors covet, they are considered "Classics". Below is a partial list of popular surfboard builders in the 60's
Santa Cruz - Haut, O'Neil, Johnny Rice, Olson, YountSanta Barbara - Owl, Yater, RothVentura - Tom Hale, Ventura Plastics, Skeg Works, Morey PopeSan Fernando Valley - Ernie Tanaka, Gunther Glass, Val Surf South Bay LA - Bing, Con, Dave Sweet, Dewey Weber, Greg Noll, Jacobs, Joe Quigg, Rick, Roberts (Bob Milner) Velzy - Jacobs, VelzyOrange County - Chuck Dent, Gordie, Hobie, Jacks, Jeffrey Dale, Jack Haley, Surfer Magazine (Rick Griffin's Murphy), Velzy, WardySan Diego - Challenger,Del Cannon, Hansen, Gordon and Smith, Surfboards Hawaii, Windnsea
Southern California was the surfboard building capitol of the world in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Decal decoratorsin So Cal did most of the logo and decal work.Hawaiian and east coast decals and laminates from this erawere decorated in So Cal. Early California hot rod speed part manufactures spawned the popularity of decals. Cool hot roddersaffixed decalsto their car windows to display what was under the hood. Hot Rod and Surfboard decals weredecorated by the same gepanies, sometimes on the same sheets, side by side. The advent of mylar and vinyl stickers simplified the decoration process eliminating the need for special slider release papers and water-slide glue.Dale Velzy
Dale Velzy was the pioneer in all things related to surfboard sales and promotion. All others followed. Velzy was an early hot rodder in addition to his other endeavors. It's reasonable to assume he was one of if not the first shaper tosource advertising decals from the printers of hot rod waterslide decals.
What constitutes an old surf decal?
The old ones are almost always water slide decals,They were printed by a handful of decorators who usually printed their mark on the back slider sheet, Art Decal / Color Brite, The Hyalac Co. Morse Decals are a few that gee to mind. Always inspect the paper the old decals were printed with lacquer or enamel inks, they kind of stained the paper, the paper is 30-40 years old so it usually is yellowing. When bent the old ink will crack.
The Invention of The Sticker
R. Stanton Avery manufactured the world's first self-adhesive labels in a 100-square-foot rented loft space in Los Angeles in 1935. Marketing his labels under the name Kum Kleen Products. Avery improved his new product through innovation and determination. By 1955 he developed the first die-cutting method, in-line machinery and rotary die for the manufacture of self-adhesive labels, the first synthetic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive and quick-release coated backing for self-adhesive products. Hang Tenwas one of the first surf gepanies to take advantage of the new technology in the 1960's featuring their logo on Avery sticker labels.Where to find old surf decals
Yard sales, flea markets, book storesand surf shops are good places to look, they almost always have an oldie or two lying around. San Diego, Huntington, South Bay,the farther inland you go looking, the better. Phoenix Az is big, Bakersfield and Vegas too. The best finds are the least likely of places usually far from the beach. The SFV probably has more vintage surf stuff than anywhere in the world!The word's out about surf collectibles everybody with a ripped tattered old decal thinks it's worth a fortune.okay is a great source of vintage surf decals.It's a good place to expand your collection. Bid big and bid early, avoid the snipe.Remember you're bidding againstother hungry well healedcollectors.
Prices
Expect to payover$400.00 forthe most rare waterslides.11/05/06 11" x 4.25" 1965 Jacobs Decal sold on okay for $327.00
Bootleggers / Fakes
With the skyrocketing prices, people are going to reproduce copies or fakes.Technology has allowed waterslide decals to be produced using inkjet and laser printers on special paper. Inkjets and laser decals are always inferior translucent (see through) decals. Inkjets and lasers cannot print white! Nothing lays down paint like a screen and squeege. Buyer beware! Always ask the seller if the decal is original. Always make note of the size too. People scan them ingiving the false impression they're large decals. Reproductions are cool just make sure someone's not trying to pass it off as the real thing.
The Future
Today's sticker is tomorrows collectible! Great artwork never looses value. Sticker runs are limited. Buy what appeals to you and likely it appeals to others.
The 70's and 80's stuff is getting popular now. I'd start buying up 70's decals, twin fins, pintail guns and trifins in decent condition. Shortly any foam board will be valuable with the rapidly expanding surfboard technology like surftech and boardworks with more geing. (written in the 90's way before the demise of clark foam!).
Be sure to visit surfcrazy.ge to see Stanley's World Famous Surfboard Logo Library. It covers logos old and new. It's a great reference for surfboard decal collectors.
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