Item TB33
This Item was Sold for $142
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 Waltzing Matilda is a traditional boomerang with the
design strongly influenced by the Burwell Rippah model. This
model is not as common as the Pintubi. This example is made
with beautiful golden hardwood plies, possibly Silky Oak
(Lacewood). The art is typical of Arthur's early paintings
with a kangaroo on the elbow and simple geometric designs
that don't obscure the beautiful hardwood underneath the
art. On the reverse side of the elbow, the words "
Waltzing-Matilda " and the date 1977 are written in white
paint.. This boomerang is in excellent condition. 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.