Hawaiian Surfboard
Honolulu: Paradise of the Pacific Press, 1935.
First edition, first printing. Signed by Tom Blake and inscribed in the year of publication, "with sincere appreciation of a master craftsman, from Tom Blake 1935". In 200 Years of Surfing Literature, an Annotated Bibliography by Timothy DeLaVega, the author states, "There is one (known) soft bound cover, blue with text only." It is not certain that this is the specific copy known to DeLaVega, but it would appear that this binding is in the very least identical to the one he described and nonetheless a true rarity. Very Good with wear to yapped edges, light lean to binding. Toning and light soiling to pages with several light marginal tidemarks, several hinges slightly exposed and the page Blake has signed on is partially detached at the top inch; but on the whole, very well preserved given the production and materials used for the binding. Tom Blake is often considered to be one of the most influential surfers in the history of the sport. He is largely credited with transforming surfing from a regional Hawaiian sport to one with national popularity, as well as establishing California surf culture.
Price: $15,000