Post #497655 by TravelingJones on Sun, Dec 6, 2009 12:38 PM

A wonderful specimen, matt29b!

Easily in the top ten of rare and elusive vintage mugs. Surfing the TC or OM boards, anyone can read that only about thirty of these bird-handled, png-style drums were crafted as a unique promotional grand prize for the Mai Kai.

OMC manufactured a "birdless" drum too, that is a highly collectible version and was used by "Tonga at the Fairmont", in San Francisco. The Tonga Room version is considerably smaller in side-by-side comparison, is often available at various auctions, but certainly commands a high collectors value estimate (CVE) nearing $200+ in mint condition.

Several poly-iconic establishments also offered drum and bird mugs, of varying design, on their drink menus:

The Kalua Room - Seattle, WA
Kundu Drum
CVE $700- $1K+

imagery from Tiki Central

The Mauna Loa - Detroit, MI
Drum & Mallet (...designed by Gabe Florian)
CVE $400-$500+

~imagery from Ooga Mooga; Chub

The Mauna Loa - Detroit, MI
Polynesian Pidgeon
(Bamboo vessel , non-drum)
CVE $200- $400

~imagery from Tiki Central

Collecting values are extremely subjective and volatile when it comes to pricing tiki mugs. One person's "Holy Grail" is another's drinking mug. Accounting only for a small number of these "Grand Prizes" manufactured, I'd comfortably say this mug is of reasonable CVE price point and a rarity that rivals Frankoma's "Trade Winds" and "The Cultured Pearl" restaurant ware and certainly much more difficult to find as any Kahiki Idols Cast or Ren Clark's Severed Head. Just my opinion, not necessarily a fact. :wink:

An INCREDIBLE acquisition matt29... and it will definitely be a crown jewel for any fortunate mug collector! :D