tiki mugs - a guide to collecting

Did I miss something ? There seems to be a new book coming soon by Jay Strongman(November). Now, the cover is Tikifarm mugs only. So is it a tikifarm guide ?

*Product Description

For full-blown tiki fanatics, or for those who are just dipping their toes into the tropical waters of tiki collecting, this is the guide. Tiki style is more popular than ever, and there are more collectors than ever peering out from the torches and palm trees. Written by a recognized expert in the field, this resource includes the complete production listings of the major manufacturers, from 1950 to today. An essential purchase for specialists, the photos and descriptions of styles such as the Frankentiki and the Monkey Mugstack will provide brilliant inspiration for those new to collecting.*

http://www.amazon.com/Tiki-Mugs-Collecting-Jay-Strongman/dp/0955339812/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216199336&sr=8-6

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2008-07-31 05:38 ]

I know him. He's british and a DJ. (but that's all I know).
He even was famous as a dance/techno DJ, but also spins 50's, 60's tracks.

Now, Amazon says it's about all mugs from the 50's, like a catalogue, but I doubt it, considering the cover with only new models from Tikifarm.
I don't know. It might be interesting anyway, I look forward for it.

(By the way, Amazon.fr says it will be available in October, and amazon.com says November, so it's probably a european release).

http://www.jaystrongman.com/

I think he even played at Oasis.

According to the Korero books website, a book celebrating the artwork of Derek Yaniger will also be released soon.
Other Korero books are focused on the hot rod and Burlesque scenes - their book on pinstriping looks very enticing. I'm quite releived that the publisher isn't one of those whose specialty are collectible price guides for the antque-seller marketplace.

http://www.korerobooks.co.uk/

The book publishing scene tends to do things in a secretive way, partly because sales depend so much on being 'the first on the block' - it is much easier to promote a book when it is perceived as something new. There are many publishers who specialize in putting out cheap versions of popular books or fads, simply to capture a small sliver of the market share.

I had some friends who perhaps 10 years ago were thinking about putting out a book on people's home interiors - they had taken photos of many different homes across the country. But then the book 'Pad' came out, and my friend's publishers lost interest - their book would have been viewed as a copycat version of Pad.

Vern

I've heard of him, but that's about it. If I were doing such a book, I'd be doing on the DL for sure. I might even use a fake name too! I don't think a European could do the subject justice as what's being collected is American. In the age of Ebay, you can get a collection anywhere, but the biggest collectors I know are still hitting the local outlets for mugs, and most were doing it 15 years ago.

According to his website, Jay Strongman DJ'd for the 2004 Tiki Oasis in Palm Springs, and the first London Luau in 2005

"I'm a DJ who is also an authority on Tiki Mugs." what an exciting career, I'm sure all the ladies swoon when he uses that line at the unemployment office. I'm looking forward to some hilarious reviews of this book oops I mean guide.

"*I don't think a European could do the subject justice as what's being collected is American. *" -Swanky-

Yeah, do Europeans even know about Tiki? I mean like, could a guy from say Germany even get the concept or have any sense of the history of Tiki?

Tea cups, beer steins, of course. But Tiki mugs? It just seems highly unlikely.

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2008-07-21 08:34 ]

On 2008-07-16 09:54, Tipsy McStagger wrote:

......you HAVE to collaborate and find out information from those who have gone before you or are involved heavily in the same genre........

I'm pretty sure that Jay Strongman is in cahoots with Otto. Didn't Jay used to contribute to Tiki News?

What about the cover? I hope it's just a composition to have something to show for pre-sales but the perspective seems off, if we can see the tops of the other mugs we should be able to see the top of the Mondo Maori mug too.

On 2008-07-16 10:14, Bora Boris wrote:
What about the cover? I hope it's just a composition to have something to show for pre-sales but the perspective seems off, if we can see the tops of the other mugs we should be able to see the top of the Mondo Maori mug too.

Not necessarily, It looks like that mug photo was taken from a lower angle. Yes, all of the mug photos should have been taken with the same setup. The scale of the mugs are wrong too.

[ Edited by: Rob Roy 2008-07-16 10:26 ]

On 2008-07-16 09:47, woofmutt wrote:
"*I don't think a European could do the subject justice as what's being collected is American. *" -Swanky-

Yeah, do Europeans even know about Tiki? I mean like, could a guy from say Germany even get the concept or have any sense of the history of Tiki?

Tea cups, beer steins, of course. But Tiki mugs? It just seems highly unlikely.

Well, some Germans move to the US and do their research here. Some Englishters live in the UK and do their research... I dunno where.

And that cover pic is a bad Photoshop job. The reflections of the mugs is not right.

Hmmm, what else can we rip on given so little? :wink:

Jay Strongman was hired by Korero because of his indeed vast knowledge of Tiki and Mid-Century Modern. The cover is a comp. They used our photos because I offered up a vast offering of high rez studio quality images back when they made the comp cover. That's not the actual title either.

Most of the heavy hitters Tipsy are likely sleeping or getting their day going between 2:15 and 9:54am.

I know he's been in contact with Munktiki, Bosko, Otto...others... I think GoTiki, too.

I've reviewed the material and there is very conclusive information in there that I didn't even know about. He's a phenomenal writer and he's been on TC since 2001.

Yeah, do Europeans even know about Tiki? I mean like, could a guy from say Germany even get the concept or have any sense of the history of Tiki?

Tea cups, beer steins, of course. But Tiki mugs? It just seems highly unlikely.

Uh...Sven...German...hello? Your comment just struck me as amusing :D Unless you were being facetious?

I am certain it was a little TC humor. It used to be below me to use smileys whenever I was being ironic, but it seems necessary on the web, to clarify and communicate your intentions...unless you wanna keep people guessing. Now I do it all the time (use smileys).

I had not heard about this book until now, thanks Virani for posting about it. I am coming into this discussion late, so my guess that this is a spec cover has been substantiated. What sometimes happens with these smaller subculture publishers that are growing is they need product, and so they think of possible books, and they know someone, and say to him "Hey, you have a sizeable Tiki mug collection, wanna make a book about it?" and the person says "Sure, why not", and then really gets into the idea, and Voila!

As complete as Duke's book is, it probably has very limited distribution in Europe...so they figure they have a good market there, PLUS, they will get more exposure in the US.

Because the US is where the Tiki market is mainly. But I wonder if they, being "insiders", know HOW small the percentage of Tiki aware and interested folks in Europe is. I think the success of the MAHIKI has created somewhat of a second Tiki revival in Britain, but that might distort the reality somewhat.

One thing is for sure: Vintage US mugs are very hard to come by in Europe, so this guide will be more of an eye candy book than a go-out-and-get-some for the European market. But that's OK too.

I don't know Jay that well personally, but, considering that he has been into Tiki longer than many folks here, I am confident that he will come out with a very comprehensive, and what is even more important to me, true-to-the-core of Tiki culture book. I can assure you it won't be something of the "New Wave Mai Tai" Tiki train jumper type. So I am looking forward to another contribution that will keep Tiki on track, congratulations, Jay!

On 2008-07-16 11:34, TikiHula wrote:
Uh...Sven...German...hello? Your comment just struck me as amusing :D Unless you were being facetious?

Yes, he was making an inside joke (note the bold emphasis on the word "German"). Not as funny when you have to explain it though :wink:

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2008-07-31 05:39 ]

Hi, I'm the aforementioned Jay Strongman and would just like to add a few comments to this discussion. First, I'd like to say thanks to Sven and Holden for their kind words and then I'd like to try and put people's minds at rest about the book.

Neither I nor the publishers are trying to jump onto any bandwagon...Korero Books are seriously into the whole low brow scene and have already done a couple of amazing books on Pin Striping and Kustom Graphics. For myself, I visited my first Tiki Bar, the Beachcomber in London, in 1980 (as a young neo-rockabilly) and the memories of that enchanted place have never left me. I bought my first Tiki Mug at the PCC swap meet in Pasadena in 1996 (a very badly glazed Trader Dicks Moai but at the time I thought it was the bomb) and got my first copy of Tiki News the same year. I wrote a piece for TN in '99 and have DJ'd for Otto a couple of times since. It was hard living a Tiki lifestyle in London (which is why I moved to California last year) but constant trips to the States and hours on the internet meant I could indulge my passion for Tiki and Hawaiiana under cloudy English skies. I admire and respect the Tiki scene and community and would never dream of working on something that would cheapen Tiki .

Finally, the book is still being worked on and I have more people to talk to and interview before we go to print. The book will not be a "definitive" book on Tiki Mugs - it can't be when there are thousands of mug designs out there with new ones being produced all the time. But I hope it will be an interesting, entertaining and beautifully illustrated book that will appeal to both the Tiki community and the general public .

No doubt in my mind it will a great book and thank you for your contribution to the tiki community.

PTD

Thanks for the explanation Jay! I too look forward to your book, my mug collection is rather meager because I don't have much display space. But a book is a great way to "collect" many, many more mugs without needing the display space for them :D

Fine! It seems like I have to quit making fun of this book just when I was starting have fun. :evil:

My apologies Jay and I am looking forward to it.

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2008-07-31 05:39 ]

On 2008-07-16 15:54, TikiTres wrote:
Thanks for the explanation Jay! I too look forward to your book, my mug collection is rather meager because I don't have much display space. But a book is a great way to "collect" many, many more mugs without needing the display space for them :D

TikiTres,

You would be AMAZED at how many mugs one can cram into small spaces.

I know because I do it week after week.

Can wait for the book, not enough tiki books out there! Although the ones that are, are pretty damn good.

PTD

Jay is a dear friend of mine, and I am sure he will do a great job putting it together. He has been into Tiki before Tiki was in. He is one of the most interesting and nicest guys you will ever meet. Jay, we are all looking forward to your book and uhm, see you soon.... :).

You would be surprised at all the TC people who are working to make this book great. I've spent days photographing our Gecko collection and so has Jonesey. I have already typed Tiki Mug into Amazon.com and pre-ordered three of the books. Sven got the movement into high gear with all the vintage mugs and tiki history and now this book will showcase all the new talent. I think Jay is very sincere in making this a book we will all enjoy.

Look at what's made tiki great.

The Book of Tiki
Tiki Road Trip
Tiki News
Tiki Magazine
Tiki Modern
Tiki Quest
Pocketiki

Let's add Jay Strongman's book to this list of well loved tiki guides.

Here's a sample of one Gecko photo I've submitted for the book, I've taken over 300 with hopes that some will make it into the Gecko section. Wendy

[ Edited by: danlovestikis 2008-08-26 10:21 ]

[ Edited by: danlovestikis 2008-08-26 14:47 ]

On 2008-08-26 10:19, danlovestikis wrote:
You would be surprised at all the TC people who are working to make this book great. I've spent days photographing our Gecko collection and so has Jonesey. I have already typed Tiki Mug into Amazon.com and pre-ordered three of the books. Sven got the movement into high gear with all the vintage mugs and tiki history and now this book will showcase all the new talent. I think Jay is very sincere in making this a book we will all enjoy.

Look at what's made tiki great.

The Book of Tiki
Tiki News
Tiki Magazine
Tiki Modern
Tiki Quest
Pocketiki

Let's add Jay Strongman's book to this list of well loved tiki guides.

[ Edited by: danlovestikis 2008-08-26 10:21 ]

You forgot Tiki Road Trip and I'm gonna have to wait and see before I induct this into the Tiki Book Hall of Fame.

How could I forget, we always take a copy with us on our trips. We were really happy when he updated the first version. I added it to the list. Thank you, Wendy

[ Edited by: danlovestikis 2008-08-26 14:49 ]

Well I, for one, am incensed and infuriated that I did not think of it first and I secretly hate him !! Just kidding....kinda :wink:

I think this book is a crappy idea & damn him for writing it! All it's gonna do is expand my mug want-list & cost me more money. As Herman Munster would say, " Darn, Darn, Darn, Darn! Oh, alright, I'll buy a copy, but only so I can check off the mugs I don't want!

I've been wanting to write "the collectors guide to Tiki Mugs" for years, but have never found the time. I assume this is the book that Holden refers to at the end of his article in the current issue of Tiki magazine. I'm looking forward to it. Any idea when it will be available?

If it were me, I'd put a mixture of old and new mugs on the cover. And the robot mug? It's cool for what it is, but I'm not sure it's cover material for a book like this.

After a long weekend in San Diego (Aug 14 - 17) I'm finally getting around to posting here in support of Jay.

I welcomed Jay's inclusion into the public foray of the Tiki scene back in 1999 as there were very few Europeans actively involved in Tiki at the level of Sven (professors of urban archaeology, that is)

Those of you who know my zine Tiki News may have seen Jay's great article about the UK's Beachcomber. That article alone should have ensconced Jay chronologically at the front of the pack in the European Tiki scene. Jay presented first hand knowledge and first hand research of a legendary UK Tiki bar whose existence we were not even aware of.

Add to that the fact that Jay can turn a Tiki tune as well as anyone flippin records on the Lounge scene and I'd say he has credentials enough to take on this task.

I'm not surprised that some of you would act quickly to poke fun at Jay since he has not been active on Tiki Central and upon reading his resume you may begin to wonder just who he is.

Reading Jay's resume is almost comedic. It seems unreal/untrue that someone could be on the cutting edge so consistently over so many years and with so many diverse trends. His wife actually asked him to cut his resume down because it might appear that he was bragging!?! That's a problem I'd like to have! Jay is some sort of culture Superman. (Jay STRONGMAN is his real name btw) And on top of that, Jay is an incredibly down to earth and modest guy. You probably didn't notice him and his wife Julienne at Tiki Oasis 8? They're not flashy and bragging and wearing $2000 vintage Hawaiian shirts and arriving in a limo and such.

Keep in mind that because he is writing the book on Tiki mugs does not mean that he is the foremost expert in the world, just that he has some knowledge and sensitivity to the subject, and is a good writer. I've read one of Jay's novels and I think he's a good writer.

I'm sure his Tiki Mug book will be an enjoyable read, good-looking, and set the high water mark for the subject.

Will it be as good as you would have done?
Will it be as good as that Tiki Mug book you have been dreaming about for ten years?
Probably not. (Sven, do you have a smiley face that I can insert here?)

I hope you all welcome Jay and the Tiki Mug book and I look forward to Jay posting more info here as it comes.

[ Edited by: Otto 2008-09-20 23:44 ]

More books!

More Books!!!

The more the merrier!!

Being fairly new to the Tiki scene, I appreciate any reference material I can find to help improve my knowledge base. Also, the more pictures a book has, the better it is for me, as I am a visual learner. I am looking forward to this book and it also seems like it would be a great gift for some of my friends/family I am sharing my love of Tiki with.

Being fairly new to the Tiki scene, I appreciate any reference material I can find to help improve my knowledge base. Also, the more pictures a book has, the better it is for me, as I am a visual learner. I am looking forward to this book and it also seems like it would be a great gift for some of my friends/family I am sharing my love of Tiki with.

On 2008-08-27 16:05, Big Kahuna wrote:
I think this book is a crappy idea & damn him for writing it! All it's gonna do is expand my mug want-list & cost me more money. As Herman Munster would say, " Darn, Darn, Darn, Darn! Oh, alright, I'll buy a copy, but only so I can check off the mugs I don't want!

SOOOOOOO TRUE!!!

Just curious, but is the book going to have ballpark prices/values or any original pricing? Kinda like the Tomarts guide to hotwheels? Thats what I'm talking about! haha....

Price guides are the quickest way to ruin any hobby!

On 2008-10-18 18:49, Tom Slick wrote:
Just curious, but is the book going to have ballpark prices/values ?

That's Ebay, updated daily

November is here, Amazon.com says the Tiki Mug book will ship out on the 5th. I'm so excited to get this book. I've ordered three and Gecko's ordered two. You can still order them and get the discounted price. Just go to Amazon.com and type in Tiki Mug A Guide to Collecting Jay Strongman.

Pre-ordering seems the way to go. I just put in my order at amazon.

I talked to Jay Strongman tonight. The book is a bit delayed and is now due out in around 5 weeks just in time for a great Christmas present for your favorite tiki addict. He said that they received so many great photos that they made the book longer. Cool, Wendy

Yes, Wendy is right and sorry about the delay everyone. We were really hoping to get the book out by now but various delays mean it's going to be a few more weeks before it hits the stores. As Wendy mentioned above, one of the reasons for the holdup was that because we were getting so many great pictures in we decided to make the book's format bigger so as to get more impact with the photos we're using. Anyway, we're frantically working away to get everything off to the printers by tomorrow and I'll post here when I get some updates from the publishers. In the meantime I just want to thank all those who have helped me with the research and provided me with photographs and images for the book. People have been unbelievably generous with their time, energy and knowledge and I am overwhelmed at the sheer level of talent and artistry that is present in the Tiki community. I have been knocked out by the real friendliness and enthusiasm of all those on the scene and I really hope this book will be something you'll all enjoy. Watch this space for more updates, Malaho, Jay

This information is all good to know. I came across the book on Amazon about a month back and did not pre-order it since I didn't know much about it. Was looking at it again this week and noticed that it did not go out on the date it stated and that there was no new date listed. Glad to get an update. Thinking this could be a great Christmas present.

Any news, is this going to be out in time to be a Christmas present or will it be the perfect Valentine Gift?

Amazon just made me reconfirm that I still wanted the book because it has been a month since I ordered it. Now my order is good until January 5th. Hopefully it will ship before then.

Anyone that ordered before November 5th may want to reconfirm their order with Amazon.

Listed under OUT NOW:
http://www.korerobooks.co.uk/tikimugs.html

Just today I received an email from amazon.com that says...

Hello from Amazon.com.

We are sorry to report that we will not be able to obtain the following item(s) from your order:

Jay Strongman (Author) "Tiki Mugs: A Guide to Collecting"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0955339812

Though we had expected to be able to send this item to you, we've since found that it is not available from any of our sources at this time. We realize this is disappointing news to hear, and we apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you.

We have cancelled this item from your order.

Maybe another day...