In a dilapidated concrete basement corner , sits a vintage ‘Cypress Gardens’ slalom water ski.
My estate sales company is in charge of finding treasures to sell for the owner, and yes, we have found one.
Unbeknownst to most people, vintage wooden water skis are collectible.
Most collectors hang them up on a wall of their lake or mountain cottage home, or outside as yard art.
Vintage wood water skis from the early to mid 1900’s-can sell for $170 a pair in very good condition with the original decals still intact. Extra values to those from famous vacation destinations. (Watch for the Dick Pope Jr. logo)
Cypress Gardens, located in Winter Haven, Florida was a favorite pre-Disney attraction for people to visit from 1936 until 2003,
I remember visiting the park with my children in the 1990s, to see the famous water show. The show was started by Dick Pope’s (the businessman who started the park as a garden) wife, Julie. She had asked her son, Dick Pope Jr. if he would perform a water skiing show as he was quite an accomplished water skier. The show was a success and a ski stadium with a more complex skiing show started.
It was a wonderful show, and my children -who just loved amusement park rides-also enjoyed it.
As I was strolling around the park, I noticed a small building down by the park’s lake-close to the edge. We decided to check out the structure and noticed in the back, several wood boats piled up and deteriorating. So sad, as these were the boats once used as a canal ride.
I wish I could of worked up a deal to purchase one, but we had flown in and wasn’t a possibility. Too bad, as they would be priceless as yard art today!
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