Item PCO
This Item was Sold on 19 August
2020 for $135
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This light weight omega was made by Arthur Janetzki out of 4.8 mm Birch plywood in 1989. Arthur made this boomerang after the death of his brother, Les, and for his own use. Arthur was 85 years old when it was made! Arthur was the artistic brother, but this one is not decorated. Instead, it is signed. Brother Brian Thomas told me that the Janetzki Brothers never signed their boomerangs. Instead, they added RJR to the reverse elbow. This boomerang was only signed because Brian asked Arthur to sign it, so it might be the only signed Janetzki boomerang in existence. It is the only one I have seen. It is also in excellent condition and I have stored it in a climate controlled box since 1989. A very nice collectible!
The Janetzki brothers (Les & Arthur) made some of the finest competition and sporting boomerangs in the 20th Century. Les & Arthur made very few boomerangs and they were almost never sold. Instead, they were given away as gifts to other throwers that they met at tournaments. Les & Arthur Janetzki were Vaudeville performers in the early 1900s. After they retired in the 1960s, they started making and throwing boomerangs at their home in the town of Albury, Australia. They were senior citizens when they started to make and throw boomerangs and they continued with their boomerang hobby until their death nearly three decades later. Les would construct his own plywood by laminating packing box boards together, shaping the airfoils and sanding them smooth. Arthur would apply the art work. When they were done, they had a wonderful flying piece of art with legendary performance in events such as Accuracy, Consecutive Catch and Australian Round. These boomerangs worked so well that they were nicknamed the "Rolls Royce" of all boomerangs and upon the suggestion of Brother Brian Thomas, they started painting the initials "RJR" on the reverse side of the elbows in the 1980s with "RR" representing "Rolls Royce" and "J" representing "Janetzki". Owners of these fine boomerangs have been reluctant to sell them. Janetzki boomerangs can still be found in the throw kits of the most seasoned competitors as well as in the best collections. Premium Janetzki boomerangs can sell for hundreds of dollars and some of the finest examples have sold for more than $1,000! |
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