Live the Legacy of Von Dutch at Barrett-Jackson's Rock & Roll and Lifestyle Memorabilia Auction
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, LLC announced today that an exclusive collection of Von Dutch pieces will be up for bid at the “Rock on the Block”TM auction. The memorabilia auction is a part of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction being held on January 15 – 21, 2007 at WestWorld, 16601 N. Prima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ.
“We are excited to provide collectors with a unique opportunity to not only see but own distinctive relics of American pop culture,” said Craig Jackson, CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Auction Company. “Von Dutch has made a lasting impression not only in the automotive world with his distinctive pinstriping talent but in American pop culture with his unforgettable pieces of artwork.”
Von Dutch items include the “Hanomag” painting and Pat Patterson “Hanomag” model, 1950s “Grundig Majestic” Hi-Fi console featuring two paintings by Von Dutch, Von Dutch personal flute with the original painted case, Von Dutch custom painted sign with an image of a snarling dog and many more unique personal items. The largest item available is the Von Dutch bus in which he lived in the rear and used the rest as his machine shop, which will cross the main auction block during prime-time on Friday, January 19.
Under the name “Von Dutch,” Kenny Howard started pinstriping in the mid-1940s bringing back to life a dead art form that was last seen by General Motors in 1938. Dutch started out painting and pinstriping nothing but motorcycles and started striping cars as a joke when he was working at a motorcycle shop in Linwood, California. From that point on, the car striping idea started to snowball and Von Dutch grew in popularity. When car owners approached Dutch for work, they did not tell him what they wanted on their car but instead paid him for a certain amount of time to work on the car. His popularity was reflected by hundreds of imitators and followers, such as Shakey Jake, The Barris Brothers and Big Daddy Ed Roth.
Von Dutch is responsible for creations such as the motorized rollerskate and putting VW engines in all makes of cars. Dutch is also known for his icon symbol of the flying eyeball which was inspired by the Macedonian and Egyptian cultures. Von Dutch said he always wanted to be a gunsmith because he liked to make things out of metal since it lasts forever, where if you paint something it will be gone in a couple years. While trying to live a “normal” life in Arizona, Dutch was able to explore his interests in metal work making guns and knives.
Von Dutch never made any money from striping despite his fame and genius. He said he made a point of staying at the edge of poverty. He didn’t need much money because he didn’t believe in messing around with unnecessary stuff. Dutch believed that good work could not be done if you were busy worrying about money.
Other items found at the auction are Johnny Cash instruments, Sir George Martin piano from Abbey Road, and many other rare memorabilia pieces reflecting the history and lifestyle of rock ‘n’ roll. To view or read about other items up for bid, please visit www.barrett-jackson.com.
In addition to the memorabilia auction, attendees will be able to bid on more than 1,200 spectacular cars being auctioned off at No Reserve, as well as attend fashion shows and happy auction hours. To review the complete list of vehicles and complete schedule of events, as well as to register to attend and get phone bidding information, please visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480.421.6694.
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale and Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
