Tiki Mugs!

It's triangular in shape, with slightly rounded corners. About 3 inches deep. The bowl is totally plain except for the three tikis supporting it. They are not at the corners, but rather in the middle of each side. They have slightly pointy heads. The whole thing has a brown matte glaze on it and an OMC gold foil sticker on the bottom.

I think I know what you're describing. The Tiki's (Ku version) are sort of "leaning" back, sitting, and have their hands on their knees? If so, that is a bowl I have seen once used at Trader Dicks', Islander...a whole bunch of places. Used for Scorpions, Rum Bowl drinks, Kava Bowls. A nice piece, usually brown and rust and color.

Others probably have more info. Was it a great deal? That's what I like to hear...you got it for $4, thereby giving hope for collectors that ebay nosebleed prices can be avoided.

midnite

Found it at an antique store in (of all places) Angels Camp, CA. Only $10. No complaints about that price.

This sounds like the bowl that I bought at Oceanic Arts a couple years ago. I think they might still have some for sale. It wasn't very expensive ($10-20 range).

Check out the BOT, page 162. Shows the line drawing I was thinking of, and the restaurant was the Islander. I believe this is the bowl you're referring to.

~ tikigreg

Ok, he failed to get any bidders, but he is not giving up!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2100503952

Price is coming down. He still needs to lower it by about $40. Although, one sold for $29.95 recently, ha ha ha. This listing reminds me of the seller with Trader Vic ashtrays for $100.

Still, I learned in business school that one way to move merchandise is triple the price, make people think they're buying some exclusive unique treasure. Somehow I don't see a bidder going for it here.

Just back from a mini-vacation to Chicago (go Cubs!). Spent almost every night, ok...every night!, at Trader Vic's. It's about the only tiki place left in Chicago, with Hala Kahiki being a bit of a haul without a car.

New management at TV according to the stellar mixologist that made some primo Zombies. Bad news: no longer is the coconut a freebie take-home souvenir with the "Kamaaina".

On a more positive note the mangament is giving a college try to attracting some business. Two large banners at each main entrance of the Palmer Hilton announce "Tiki Time" at Trader Vic's. There are drink nights, may I recommend no more than two zombies.

Weekday drink night specials are $4, a nice discount from $8 Mai-Tais or $9 Zombies. The place does have televisions and bad music, but still, it's TV's. Nice use of ceramic mugs for many drinks, even if the new stuff
is lower quality.

Overall, a nice visit and if the banners are evidence, Tiki Time is back at TV's.

Hmmm, things are sure slowing down on this thread. Less traffic or too many threads cluttering the site?

Anyway, how about this puzzling bit of bidding. Why do these people bid SO much for a new mug?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2105091837

I would alert them of their errors, but I think it's like wildlife documentary makers. Don't try and save the lots and starving baby seal, it's nature.

well the heck with ebay! I thought thats where i had to go to find the hard to get mugs. I live in Kokomo, Mississippi and i went down 3 miles from my house in the middle of nowhere and bought 4 - green easter island mugs made by orchids of hawaii for 4 bucks at some cheesy flea market off of highway 98! not a chip, crack or anything. i saw them selling for 10 to 15 bucks each on ebay. flea markets here i come!!

on ebay ther's this Orchids of Hawaii Bamboo Tiki Mug and its stamped on the base "Orchids of Hawaii Japan R-6." I picked up one from a charity store and it just has on the base "Orchids of Hawaii Japan" whats the R-6 about? is it a batch number?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2106262975

R-6 is the part number supplied to that style of mug so that if your restaurant used that mug you could tell Orchids of Hawaii to "send me a couple cases of number R-6".
I think Orchids Of Hawaii went out of business closer to 1995 because I received a catlog from them after 1991.

One more sign Tiki collecting is going more "mainstream", Ebay has established a sub-category under Hawaiiana: "tikis".

http://listings.ebay.com/aw/plistings/list/category29460/index.html

Just returned from a week of vacationing and Tiki hunting in Central Florida. As an incurable collector of all things Tiki, I am constantly on the lookout. A day in Seaworld led us to an unexpected discovery of "Chiki Tiki" mugs in a quaint giftshop within the park. Prices were low ($4.99 ea.) with a nice selection, so we scooped up on several. This is the same mugs being used as replacements at Mai Kai, and the same mugs going for crazy prices on Ebay.

Such as this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2105091837

[ Edited by: Tikirob on 2002-06-16 18:04 ]

I know a lot of fellow Tiki collectors have been predicting the end of $100+ mugs, but all I see is more bidders paying higher prices. This is an example of a rarer item that warrants a steep price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2114717110

But, I have seen more common mugs getting increasingly higher bids. Looks like it's time to sell some of my collection, some dupes and stuff not "right" for my collection's theme.

I will likely give fellow Tiki Centralites "first crack" at my offerings. Seems only appropriate..stay tuned!

HA, I finally scored a great Ebay 'buy now' find:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2117166793

This is about my second best Ebay deal ever. I will probably be selling at least one of these little monsters. I had one of these before in different colors, sold it for a very nice price a while back.

Nice smile for me,
midnite

Congrats Midnite! Put me on the list of possible buyers for your extras!

Mark Cotton

I buy old poker chips from casinos and private gambling clubs anywhere.  

:drink:
Thank God the Tiki Bar is Open!

[ Edited by: jukeboy56 on 2002-06-28 08:04 ]

Only 10 bucks???!!!! Unbelievable. What a great find indeed. These look like Guanko style tikis. Never seen this kind before...

Good job midnite!

[ Edited by: PolynesianPop on 2002-06-28 08:34 ]

These look like Guanko style tikis. Never seen this kind before...

Pop, Guanko? Unfamiliar with that, what should I know? I have seen 3 others like this in the past. I owned one of them. All 3 sold for quite a bit. They look like little aliens if ya ask me.

Yes this deal makes up for many auctions lost due to "snipes" over the last few months, arrggggh! My best ever find on Ebay was two Mauna Loa bamboo parrot handled mugs. Still have both, waiting for the right trade offer for one, just cannot bring myself to sell.

midnite

True, the Tiki carved out of the palm with the bark still showing is one of Milan Guanko's (BoT, page 248) trademarks, but the eyes and nose lead me to believe that these mugs ar a knock off of the Stockton Islander/ Hala Kahiki mug (BoT p.250), which is based on Andres Bumatay's Tikis (also see BoT p.152). Both were Phillipino carvers.
Bosko did aa nice version of it, too.

On 2002-06-29 13:10, bigbrotiki wrote:
True, the Tiki carved out of the palm with the bark still showing is one of Milan Guanko's (BoT, page 248) trademarks, but the eyes and nose lead me to believe that these mugs ar a knock off of the Stockton Islander/ Hala Kahiki mug (BoT p.250), which is based on Andres Bumatay's Tikis (also see BoT p.152). Both were Phillipino carvers.
Bosko did aa nice version of it, too.

Thanks for the info, Sven. Yes, these do remind me of the Islander "pineapple alien" , as I call it, mug. I have seen a few other color schemes, and one with a handle on the side. Something tells me ceramics class, 1960's. Now that I scanned BOT I see the resemblance to the carvers listed.

They're great mugs, or vases, sometimes the semi-professional mugs are really nicely done. I shall be offering at least one up for re-sale.

Thanks,
midnite

I saw one of the midnite_tiki mugs at Mambo in Kirkland, WA today. By the thin wall, orange glaze inside, and hand scratched name on the bottome (beneath the glaze) I figured it was a mug made from a mold for home crafters. Of course the one I saw may have been made from a mold which was made from an original mug.

On 2002-06-30 00:51, woofmutt wrote:
hand scratched name on the bottome (beneath the glaze) I figured it was a mug made from a mold for home crafters.

Woofmutt,
The name wasn't "linda" was it, ha ha? That name was inscribed on the previous incarnation of this mug that I owned. It was a hefty bugger, but I do agree they seem ceramics class or homemade pieces. My bet is a ceramics class.

Thanks for the info!
midnite

Ok, Tiki Centralites...here it is, my shameless pandering. Come see the "midnite sale" of fine tiki stuff at Ebay. My fellow tiki club members get a deal on shipping and assorted goodies if you decide to pick up any of this crap. Help out a fellow Tiki freak, I need the dues!

http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cpt.midnite&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1&include=0&page=1&rows=25

Just let me know you're a Tiki Centralite, the password will be "password".

Thanks for your indulgence,
midnite

hey midnite,

great idea for the tiki mug discussion page. i'm fairly new to the site and i've been looking for an arena to do this. i've bought a few mugs on ebay but the prices got outta control -- or as ol' king louie said "i've reached the top, and had to stop, and that's what's botherin' me!"

anyhoo, just wanted to share a story about a great tiki mug score. i was on business in connecticut, and popped into a thrift store to find 3 tiki mugs staring right at me marked "aloha hut, wash. dc" on them. they were listed for a dollar a piece, but i got there on the "half off sale" so i paid a whoppin' $1.50 for all three! can you dig it?!?

aloha,

uncle arty

p.s. has anyone ever heard of the aloha hut in washington d.c. or know anything about it?

[ Edited by: stentiki on 2002-07-01 17:52 ]

[ Edited by: stentiki on 2002-07-01 18:03 ]

On 2002-07-01 17:49, stentiki wrote:

they were listed for a dollar a piece, but i got there on the "half off sale" so i paid a whoppin' $1.50 for all three! can you dig it?!?

aloha,

uncle arty

p.s. has anyone ever heard of the aloha hut in washington d.c. or know anything about it?

stentiki,
excellent find on those mugs, someday I will get a deal like that! I've heard of the Aloha Hut, seen a few items from there over the years.

Check out James's site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~tikibars/tiki/tikimain.html

He may have info on Aloha Hut, and ask in other topics here, someone WILL know!

midnite

ps Pander time: still have some stuff on ebay, and a few other things not listed, check it out:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cpt.midnite&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1&include=0&page=1&rows=25

"i was on business in connecticut, and popped into a thrift store to find 3 tiki mugs staring right at me"
WAIT A MINUTE!!!! You came from California...Mecca of Tiki... to CT and TOOK what little bit of Tiki we have back with you to CA ?!? You guys are not playing fair. I have looked in every corner of CT looking for something Tiki. I have found 1 vase, 2 mugs and 1 pair of S&P shakers in 2 years. A least tell me what thrift shop and town you were in, please.

Depressed,
Mark

hey midnite,

thanks for the info. great stuff your pandering on ebay!

mark in ct -- sorry, man but i get lonely on the road and my only salvation is tiki hunting! i'm afraid i can't recall the name of the place but it was in old greenwich where all the stuffy antique shops are. people thought i was crazy looking for tikis and when i told them i was from cal. they just said "you folks will buy anything out there!"

if you happen to be in nyc, there is a bar called the tiki room near the theatre district on 22nd street. their mai tais suck but they serve drinks in repro tiki mugs. hardly a consolation, but if you're in the area, it is worth checking out.

aloha,

uncle arty

p.s. does anyone know where to get a decent mai tai in nyc?

Today I got one of the clear green two faced tiki's for 1.50!

Another "Sufferin' Bastard" on the block at Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2119115928

Still a "bargain" at $150, ha ha. Yikes! Will I ever acquire one of these puppies? Signs say "doubtful".

My latest "midnite tiki sale" on ebay is coming to a close, and the good folks out there used a lot of my "Buy Now" options. A few pieces remain, but most are gone. Check it out:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cpt.midnite&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1&include=0&page=1&rows=25

Shameless Hack Midnite

It's nice when one wins an Ebay auction for something and gets a deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2034980603

However, it's a bummer when the seller emails you and says "he dropped" the mugs and they broke. All three were dropped, at once? Uh huh, yep, I believe that!

Oh well,
midnite

"Oh well" midnite? I'd write the dealer and tell him to ship me the shards anyway as I'm an artist who uses smashed pottery in collage pieces and that was my original intent. He'd probably write back that he already threw the pieces in the trash and the garbage men showed up just before he got your e-mail. Keep your eye on this seller and see if these mugs get re-listed.

I'd write the dealer and tell him to ship me the shards anyway

Ha ha, I thought of that. What was funny to me was this just happened to the buyer of the Witco piece bigbrotiki was wanting. That item was "sold" to someone accidentally? Since wood doesn't break, they went with sold to other, next time a fire?

I wanted those mugs, too. Great for "actual use" and a sweet deal.

Anyway, my stuff on Ebay(what is left) ends tomorrow, this will be my LAST shameless appeal to fellow Tiki Centralites to checkit out.

http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cpt.midnite&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1&include=0&page=1&rows=25

And I promise not to break anyhing before I ship, or to sell to someone else by accident.

midnite

Hey I posted pictures of my Tiki Mug Collection on the internet! It is small and I don't think I have any rare ones but it is still growing
My Tiki Mugs

I don't think I have any rare ones but it is still growing

That Tiki Bob you have sure is rare, and I want one! Do tell where ya found it and the details, cause one doesn't see many of them. They fetch a pretty dollar on ebay. I once chatted with a seller that found 4 Tiki Bob's at a "roadside store" in CA, 2 of each kind for 25 cents each.

She sold them for around $300.

midnite

I bought it at an antique/collectables store... I only paid like $10 :P

Yep, that Tiki Bob's mug is a super rare one!! I just picked up one on ebay and paid almost $200 for it. Mine's painted more of a dark brown than a tan- I actually like yours better! Hang onto it!

I'm going to have a tiki mug picture database up very soon on my website- I'll keep you posted!

Wow! 200 too bad for the person that sold it too me :P

A big Special Ed* "Yaaaaaayyy" for me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2119379478

Ok, I know I WAY overpaid, but it's a special piece for me. My late Father worked for McDonnell Douglas (and variations)in CA/FL/AZ for nearly 30 years. The old absent-minded rocket scientist got me started in Tiki stuff so I had to have this dude. It's pretty cool, and a bit more rare than mugs that get this much Ebay biddage.

This will be a centerpiece for my Tiki "area" small apartment means no Maxton-ish Tiki bar for moi. I have a corner.

• Special Edd: "I got Tiki , I got Tiki, I got Tiki." "Yaaaaaaee!"

midnite

ok, here's another 'I was out traveling & popped into a thrift shop story'.
There it was all alone on a shelf....
a small suffering bastard rum bottle in minty shape. price: $2!!
I guess it was finally my time.

I've been a bit scarce lately, but I had to share this!

suffering bastard rum bottle in minty shape. price: $2!!
I guess it was finally my time.

I hate you.:)

That had to be up here too! Way to go.
At least I know it happens. to me? No way, but it happens.

midnite

Dont hate baby!
Your turn is next!
I actually found it in a small thrift (only one in a quaint little town) in Chester, very near Mt. Lassen which is approx 4 hours north of SF.
The lady at the register says: "what the heck is that? it's ugly!"
me: 'yeah, hideous' (wink,wink)

bigbadtikidaddy wrote:

Your turn is next!

I like to think that. I have heard from a few collectors, or lucky sellers, that they found their great Tiki treasure up north from SF. Time to get the roadmaps out and search. I thought you may have found it down on the Peninsula.

Still...a "sufferin' B" for $2, aye carumba. An all-time classic find.

A big hole in my collection for one, it's out there, sitting on some poor shelf collecting dust and being neglected.

midnite

A bit o/t, but speaking of good scores, I've got this set up on ebay right now with 4 hours to go...
I didnt really want to sell it but times are kinda tough right now. Hope it goes a bit higher.....
I'll be putting up alot more this week too.
the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=892254789

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-15 15:24 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-15 15:25 ]

I'll be putting up alot more this week too.
the link:

That's nice set, but no room for it here in small apartment San Fran! Be sure to mention your new stuff on ebay with a post here...eager to see wht ya have on the block.

midnite

Hey midnite-
I meant to mention what a good score you made on those two mugs for $10.
That is the same style as the one I have from the 1962 worlds fair in seattle.
Mine is bright yellow. On the back is a raised graphic of the space needle, along with "Worlds Fair Seattle 1962" & is kinda heavy.
I'm not sure the if the Islander was making those "pineapple head" mugs back then, so who knows which came first? I remember bigbro was tring to find out info on the polynesian restaurant on the pier in a different thread a while back.
Just a wee bit more info ta throw in there...

Thanks bbtd!
That is some good info, still have one of the little buggers. I had one previously, was differnet colors, and I have seen 2 others like it before. Your mug is the first one that had identifying marks, all I have seen on them is a name or initials on the bottom.

I was assuming they were all "ceramic class" products. Your mug throws doubt on that conclusion. Sven had some good info (there's news!) and now your feedback. Hmm, could they have been produced for commercial use (yours) and for/by hobbyists(mine)?

Enquiring minds, and lazy ones like mine, want to know! It's a mystery...

midnite

Wow, Space Needle AND Tiki, tres desirable. Could you post front and back pics of that one, please?

I'm not sure how to post pics here, but I'll try!
hmm, not working...
ok, i get it now...
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/1257750/1027028397093_tiki3.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/1257750/1027028397586_tiki2.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/1257750/1027028398086_tiki1.jpg
[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 15:52 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 15:55 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 15:56 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 15:59 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 16:04 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 16:05 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 16:07 ]

[ Edited by: bigbadtikidaddy on 2002-07-18 16:10 ]

Hey bbtd,
I see the pics, interesting. Hard to say that was done for a ceramics class or other hobbyist. Promotional or commercial offering, a take-home drink vessel? Maybe a special token for some Fair event? Either way that is a pretty neat mug. Not going to see many of that one, nope.

The mystery deepens!

Bigbrotiki?

[ Edited by: midnite_tiki on 2002-07-18 17:59 ]