Item PGG
This Item was Sold on 6 February
2024 for $310
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Historical Pricing information for this item and similar collectable boomerangs can be found on the Boomerang Pricing Guide
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This "U" boomerang was made by the Janetzki Brothers in 1977. It was made before Brother Brian Thomas talked them into adding RJR on the reverse side. Lots of detail in the art and made out of laminated packing box boards. The reverse side of the elbow, "GEMINI-3" and "LES-1977-ARTHUR" is neatly printed in white paint. The blades are painted with Aboriginal style art that includes 3 crabs. This is one of only 4 "U" shaped boomerangs that were made by Les and Arthur Janetzki. I originally paid $350 for this boomerang in 2000. The proceeds were used by Brother Brian Thomas' to fund Fred Hollow's charity which provided medical services to improve the vision of people who lived in under developed parts of the world. A very nice example of a Janetzki boomerang in excellent condition. Rare!
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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