Rare Hawaiian surfing book expected to fetch $40K

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — A book about surfers in the early 1900s is expected to sell at auction for about $40,000.

A copy of “The Surf Riders of Hawaii” will go before bidders Saturday at the Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction. The auction will include more than 60 vintage surfboards and other items.

The book is one of eight made by hand by A.R. Gurrey Jr. between 1911 and 1915. Gurrey is considered the father of surf photography. The book helped spread surfing’s appeal from Hawaii to the mainland.

It includes eight mounted photographs of native Hawaiians surfing Waikiki. Among them is one of Duke Kahanamoku, the Olympic medalist swimmer who helped popularize surfing.

A copy of the book sold at Sotheby’s for $37,500 last year.

This auction will be presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Proceeds benefit the Surfing Heritage & Cultural Center in San Clemente.