By Brett Callwood
Gardena-based action house Julien’s Auctions has joined forces with Turner Classic Movies to present Trader Vic’s Tiki Paradise collection, featuring “more than 100 Polynesian-themed furnishings, artwork, décor, and more from the legendary los angeles restaurant and storied celebrity destination offered for the first time at auction.”
The event will take place on Friday, July 12th live and online at juliensauctions.com. Trader Vic’s is a restaurant and tiki bar chain, and they’re promising that this will be the ultimate island party.
“As the mid-century aesthetic of Tiki culture and style became popular in the ’50s and ’60s, Trader Vic’s at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was the glamourous Polynesian playground that beckoned Hollywood,” they said in a statement. “Opening on August 11th, 1955, the Rat Pack to Golden Age of Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando, flocked to the sprawling tropical style watering hole and restaurant with its poolside tiki bar to enjoy Trader Vic’s world famous mai tais and pupu platters.”
Elvis Presley’s Hawaii films plus the likes of South Pacific and Beach Blanket Bingo helped Trader Vic’s make Tiki culture iconic in Hollywood.
“Julien’s Auctions and TCM invites you to take home a piece of Trader Vic’s Tiki paradise with their auction of more than 100 Polynesian-themed furnishings, including monkey pod dining tables, hand-carved wood totem poles, art, and many other one-of-a-kind items that once adorned the south seas-style Hollywood landmark,” they said.
Items available for bid include: large tiki totem pole (estimate: $600 – $800); a white metal sign featuring the original Trader Vic’s logo of a Papua New Guinean mask with a spear and club and cut copper letters that read ‘Trader Vic’s’ above an arrow (estimate: $300 – $500); a wood maritime ship wheel with the handles (estimate: $700 – $900); and much more.
“In this exclusive summertime auction with TCM, Julien’s is paying tribute to the legendary and beloved institution that was the toast of Hollywood, Trader Vic’s,” said David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “These treasures from a bygone era and aesthetic represent the glamour and fascination of Tiki culture and Trader Vic’s unique place in Hollywood history and lore.”
The event takes place at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 12. Registration is required to bid in this auction and can be done in person on the day of the auction, or online before the sale at JuliensAuctions.com. For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.
Photos courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
