Tiki Quest or Tiki Mugs OR Book of Tiki?

Which is the best book to buy for information on tiki mugs? I can't really afford all three (many of my tiki mugs cost under $5 = $30 is 6 mugs) so is there one book that stands above the rest? I'm a relative newbie to the Tiki scene. Mahalo.

I strongly suggest getting the Book of Tiki. This is the most important and significant book to any one who is into tiki.

The other books are great but mug prices and reference info you can get on the web.

The Book of Tiki is a must have bar none, get it first then the others when you can.

Also note that there is a small paperback version of the Book of Tiki (called "Tiki Style")(by the same author and same publisher) that usually costs a lot less that the big version.

A Mermaid Drown in the Midnight Lounge?
sorry....

Hey StanTheMan, welcome aboard!
Abstractiki has got it right 100%! What other book was there before this? The Book of Tiki is the first book you need to have if you want to learn anything about real Tiki or Tiki style. Not only that, it makes you want to see more, have more, collect more and find more!!

The Book of Tiki is not a book on just Tiki mugs, (although it has some awesome photos of mugs and other collectibles that really make you drool) like the other two you mentioned, so if you want a book specifically about collecting then I would recommend Duke's Tiki Quest. Truly a great book with lots of info. and eye candy for you! It's almost a beautiful big checklist!!

Don't make price an option with this. Although it can be, it is worth spending a little more to get something that is going to teach you and focus on what you are collecting. Start with the holy grail and let the mugs fall into your lap! Well, not literally :wink:

Mahalo, TabooDan

Those are some great plugs for the BOT, but at current market value it's still out of reach for a lot of us. I intend to own all three eventually, but if all you want is info on mugs, look no further than Ooga-Mooga.com. It's an indispensable resource for any mug collector! I haven't had a chance to flip through Tiki Mugs, but Tiki Quest has great photos and info on vintage collectables, including a large section on mugs.

Allow me :)

For VINTAGE Tiki mugs (and other cool vintage Tiki collectables): Tiki Quest

For Tiki REVIVAL mugs (and some Tiki history), in mouthwatering eye candy imagery: Tiki Mugs

And if you wanna be more than just a "collectable ceramics" hoarder, and get a grasp on the context and history and reason WHY Tiki mugs are so cool: the Book of Tiki

...and then, when you're ready to FILL the mugs: Beachbum Berry Remixed

(..and maybe to complete the experience of beholding and imbibing: the Sound of Tiki CD)

Hmmm....looks like it's turning into an expensive hobby any which way, sorry! :D

Tiki Quest all the way. Someone just gave me a copy and I love this book so much esp since 99% of my collection is vintage.

Why choose? Stay with it long enough and you'll want all the books.

I just started collecting mugs myself (August 2010) and was fortunate enough to have at my disposal all 3 books from the very start. Based on my own experience, Sven's assessment is spot-on, although for me Tiki Quest did not provide enough background specifics. But once I was armed with the official names of the mugs I could easily look them up on the web to find out more.

You didn't ask but I'll go on...
Other tools that helped me develop my personal collector's criteria:
Ebay-- I suggest this not as a buyer's resource because prices are inflated and shipping is minimum $10. Take the time to scan some of the 1200+ listings and read the descriptions of what you like. Many sellers are tiki collectors and just love to provide a lot of great detail about the pieces.
isleoftiki.com-- a great resource to cut through the ebay clutter to see what ebayers are actively bidding on. There are several categories including the highest price which is a handy way to see some of the very special mugs all at once.

[ Edited by: trutiki 2010-12-06 07:51 ]

"For VINTAGE Tiki mugs (and other cool vintage Tiki collectables): Tiki Quest

For Tiki REVIVAL mugs (and some Tiki history), in mouthwatering eye candy imagery: Tiki Mugs

And if you wanna be more than just a "collectable ceramics" hoarder, and get a grasp on the context and history and reason WHY Tiki mugs are so cool: the Book of Tiki

...and then, when you're ready to FILL the mugs: Beachbum Berry Remixed

(..and maybe to complete the experience of beholding and imbibing: the Sound of Tiki CD)

Hmmm....looks like it's turning into an expensive hobby any which way, sorry!"

Nicely said, Sven! But I have to say that without the inspiration of "The Book Of Tiki" my "Tiki Mugs" book wouldn't have happened.

I find one of the best resources for Mugs is Ooga-Mooga.com and hanging out on Tiki Central.

Another vote for BOT or why bother. I have all three and love them, but you can get most of the info on individual mugs here or on Oooga Mooga, or Ebay, but if I didn't have the knowledge for several thorough reading of the BOT there are things in the wild I might have just walked past. (restaurant ware especially, because if you don't know the names of some of the past temples, you won't recognize a plate with the name)

My first reading of "The Book of Tiki" was courtesy of our public library. Later I bought it. But I'm a cheap bastard at heart.

Today I received a very lightly used hard cover copy of BOT from amazon snapped up for $26.00, including shipping. There was another copy available at that time for $32. Today the least expensive used copy is around $43...My point is that if you frequently check amazon, often you can find a copy for a very reasonable price...

Happy Holiday Shopping Everyone =)

[ Edited by: Aquatic Safarinaut 2010-12-07 14:48 ]

On 2010-12-05 16:51, StanTheMan wrote:
Which is the best book to buy for information on tiki mugs? I can't really afford all three (many of my tiki mugs cost under $5 = $30 is 6 mugs) so is there one book that stands above the rest? I'm a relative newbie to the Tiki scene. Mahalo.

Stan welcome to this "NOT-SO-QUIET" Village! I think what you have just seen demonstrated tis that even as much as each of these books is a tiki nugget you can't live without, TC is also a fantastic resource right at your finger tips!!! there is nothing better than a mass collection of people who are just as fanatic for tiki as you!

I don't know why it's not mentioned on this site very often, but for those on a budget there is a cheaper version of the Book of Tiki entitled "Tiki Style".

On 2010-12-06 17:23, abstractiki wrote:
Hey Bigbro! could you please tell us what the history behind "Tiki Style" is? Was is Taschens Idea? yours? What is the difference from the BOT other than it is smaller and in paper back?
There are 6 new for sale on amazon right now for $24.00 and 16 used from $7.20. I know its not as good as the big hard cover BOT but the content seams to be the same. A used one of these would seam to be a great deal for those on a tight budget.

quote]
On 2010-12-06 17:45, bigbrotiki wrote:
Oh, I had that posted here somewhere, but before I find it:

Taschen did that with many of their titles, it was called their ICONS series: They make cheaper, pocket-sized versions of their bigger books, for a fraction of the price (it retailed for 9.95 or so 7.95 or so) to serve a different market, the folks that don't wanna spent 30.- bucks on a subject but don't mind picking one up for under 10.- in passing, for kicks and giggles. SORT of a reprint. But I did not get as many pages, so instead of shortening each chapter, I completely edited out the HUNTERS AND COLLECTORS and the SURFIN' TIKI chapters, that's why I am calling it the Reader's Digest version or pocket bible version of the BOT.

I was not quit comfortable with the different title, and when they even wanted to give it a different cover, I fought against that, it would have been too misleading for the buyer who would have thought it to be an entirely new book, especially in the age of internet ordering, where the size difference of the book is not immediately noticeable.

I did however enjoy giving the book a new lay out, with assigning images to different contexts than in the BOT, and blowing up images that had been too small in the BOT, so I am quite happy with the result, for what it is. But it ain't the original.

On 2010-12-09 14:50, Vince Martini wrote:

Stan welcome to this "NOT-SO-QUIET" Village! I think what you have just seen demonstrated tis that even as much as each of these books is a tiki nugget you can't live without, TC is also a fantastic resource right at your finger tips!!! there is nothing better than a mass collection of people who are just as fanatic for tiki as you!

Thanks for the help/opinions everyone, Great stuff. These books are like Tiki-porn for me, but there's nothing like the real thing (actual mugs and tiki that is). Vince, I was at Rev Ben's just before he closed his shop in HB and someone there described Tiki Central as a swirling vortex (I can't remember her exact quote) that can suck you in forever if you aren't careful... That's the cleaned up version. Tiki Magazine is my inexpensive way to get Tiki-Porn, I'll have to save up for the rest... Mahalo

Listen to me, us.... I also have to go along with BigBro and the rest of you. You can not grasp anything fully without really understanding what your about to embark upon, "Poly Pop" culture. You will have to have ALL these books. As a mug collector myself since I was wee high to a tiki pole I have to say, if money is a issue at this point in time which it most likely is, get a Book of Tiki first and read, read and read again. Go to the Ooga Mooga site and study, don't just look at the big collections either because there's a lot of plain old crap there as well. (don't get your panties in a bunch collectors, you know what I mean) Check out the tags look at vintage mugs then customs etc. Study. Go to the Critiki site also and learn a bit there as well about Tiki places, bars, restaurants. It does no good and is good money thrown after bad to just hoard mugs if you know nothing of their history or the history of the artists or makers. If you just like tiki mugs cause they are fun that's cool too just go to Tiki Farm or Munktiki, Squid, Bosko, Danny, Babalu, Cass, and others and buy several and enjoy them, nothing wrong with that. :) But I warn you, choose wisely, you have chosen an expensive hobby you just don't know it yet... There, I just saved you at least $10,000.... Have fun and welcome!

Yeah, what Hiphipahula says above!

My two cents worth: Get out there and establish new friendships and share good times with those that share a mutual love for PolyPop...the dates, the memories, the shared experiences will take on a stronger significance as time marches on. Take lots of photos to share. Visit the tiki temples when you can do so. Tread where others have been before while creating new avenues of self-expression. Oh yeah don't forget to relax and enjoy some tiki cocktails /art/ music often. Create yourself some FUN!