Item TB24
This Item was Sold for
$172
Other collectable boomerangs for sale can be found on the
Collectable , Hardwood
and Art Boomerang web links.
Historical Pricing information for this item and similar
collectable boomerangs can be found on the Boomerang
Pricing Guide
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 wereVaudeville performers in the early
1900s. After they retired in the1960s, 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! The "Golden Hook" is a very early prototype of several
hook designs that the Janetzki Brothers made over the years.
It is similar to the Lewry hook and is probably based on
that design because of performance of the Lewry hook in the
Aussie Round event. This boomerang does not have the "RJR"
on the underside. Instead, it has the words "Golden Hook"
neatly printed on the underside at the elbow. This boomerang
was probably made in the mid or late 1970s. It has a
Platypus and simple Aboriginal style art painted on the
upper surface only and a strip of sparkle tape to make it
visible in bright sunlight conditions. This boomerang is in
very good condition, but there is the start of a surface
veneer delamination midway on the lift arm underside. You do
have to look hard to see it. I really think that this
boomerang is plenty strong for throwing in grassy areas if
you are careful and don't put too much power into it. This boomerang is from the estate of Brother Brian
Thomas. This is one boomerang that he would never let out of
his collection before his death. The sales of this boomerang
will benefit one or more charities that provide relief to
the victims of the 2004 Tsunami Disaster in South-East
Asia.