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Technicolor images that brought
What will be collectible?
visitors to the 50th State in the
'50s fill 'Leis, Luaus and Aloha'
Book signings Stories by Burl Burlingame
Star-BulletinLEIS, Luaus and Alohas" draws thematically on the explosion of color reproduction that occurred in the 1950s and the hundreds of give-away items that benefited from such processes.
The printing revolution paralleled the promoting of Hawaii to the average-Joe tourist and the book, by Fred E. Basten and Charles Phoenix, is one big come-on, selling a Hawaii that's a complete myth, albeit a lovely Technicolor fantasy.
The '50s are now far enough away to render the design concepts of the period cutely quaint and transparent examples of old-fashioned marketing.
"Leis, Luaus and Alohas" by Fred E. Basten and Charles Phoenix (Island Heritage), hardcover, 112 pages, $24.99
There is no restraint here in the book's use of color. Even snapshots look as if they're tinted with glow-in-the-dark shades. The primary sources are souvenirs such as matchbooks, plane schedules, magazine advertising, menus, handbills -- all items whose place in popular culture has largely vanished. Examples of these throwaway items have survived primarily because of the fond memories they evoke, a feeling celebrated by the book.
'Leis, Luaus and Aloha'
This ad was used for Matson's premier ocean liner SS Lurline, which transported tourists from the Mainland to Hawaii.Save that "Baywatch Hawaii" patch. If the show has asuccessful run, experts predict such items are likely to become collectibles.
FIFTY years from now, what will be collectible? At the cusp of a new century, a new millennium, we asked a couple of collectors what may turn out to be the treasures of these times. Forget Pokemon
and Beanie BabiesBishop Museum archivist DeSoto Brown, known as an "ephemera" expert, noted the 1990s in Hawaii were primarily known as the time when the economy turned sour. "How about a collection of pink slips?" he suggested.
"The 'collectible' stuff, the things manufactured specifically to be collected, won't be, because everyone will have them squirreled away. Look for the things that aren't obvious, that are typical or tied to specific event or period.
"Y2K stuff, for example. They are tied to a specific date and will be discarded quickly. Or, if 'Baywatch Hawaii' is a long-running success, 'Baywatch' stuff."
The bottom line, according to both Brown and antique guru Pake Zane of Antique Alley, is that you must care about the non-monetary value of these artifacts. Did they give you pleasure and fond memories?
"Telephone book covers. Yearbooks. Even pogs and milk covers," said Zane. "Things taken for granted and overlooked, likely to be tossed out and disappear. Maybe engraved cigarette lighters -- you're not going to see many of those, and they're highly collectible, but if you hate smoking, why bother?
"If you enjoy it, and it made you feel good inside, then it's worth saving. But if you save everything, you wind up a pack rat like me!" laughed Zane.
The key is to keep whatever items you collect in mint condition. That means sealing them in Mylar envelopes -- NOT vinyl -- or acid-free boxes. Or both.
One recent change, noted Zane, is people buying collectible items as Christmas gifts for others, where before, collectors bought for themselves.
And what was the most recent thing Zane collected for himself?
"The Star-Bulletin's Top 100 Hawaii people supplement on New Year's Eve -- I thought that was pretty cool!"
Fred Basten & Charles Phoenix, authors of "Leis, Luaus & Aloha,":will be signing copies of their book at the following locations late this month. Book signings
Jan 28
Jan. 29
Jan. 30
Click for online
calendars and events.
