Surfing Collectibles Guide Review
By Ryan Smith, Longboard Magazine, Nov/Dec 2000

     These days nearly everything over two decades old is considered "classic." And, as we already know, all things that are classic are worth some dough. With the sports market experiencing an all time high point, and traveling road shows driving up demand and worth of odd antiques and curios, it was only a matter of time before the rapidly growing hobby of surf collecting surf memorabilia made itself official.
     Tim DeLaVega, with the help from the T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), has compiled a price guide that enables the complete realm of surf collectors to gauge the worth of his/her goods. But besides helping collectors, it is hoped that the Surfing Collectibles Guide will establish a rating system, ranging from "Cherry" (or mint condition) to "Stink Eye" (poor).
     This 32 page booklet is the first guide of it's kind, and the first volume of many more to come. The inaugural volume focuses mainly on magazines, novelty books and posters printed prior to 1970. Each publication or poster is printed, briefly explained and listed alongside and accompanying "Cherry" price figure. Original surf-inspired newspapers, programs, promotional pieces, magazines, comic books, cartoon novels, photographic yearbooks and posters are all accounted for in this wonderfully constructed guide.
      Surfing Collectibles Guide also offers amateurs and wannabes tips for properly handling those fragile items, and list the possible dangers that can lurk during long term storage. There are even pictures and short biographies on some of the world's most dedicated collectors on the front and back flaps.
     It is important to remember, though, this is only a price guide, the value for each collectible is always subject to change, And it is for this exact reason that the Surfing Collectible Guide will offer subsequent issues. Watch out for the second issue coming soon, covering the complete list of surf books.