“All about Signature Collections: A Dive into Adam Croft’s Skateboard Trove”
Every skateboard collector has their vibe, themes, and riders of choice.
And when Adam gave us a shout about his collection, we were stoked.
Adam has a thing for signatures.
He’s got a killer collection of decks, each adorned with autographs from his favorite pros.
But it doesn’t stop at decks.
He’s got a mountain of memorabilia – magazines, stickers, you name it – Each carrying the John Hancock of some skateboarding legend.
What makes Adam’s journey even more remarkable? He’s met these pros in person.
Each autograph comes with a story, a memory of meeting his idols.
Imagine kicking back, looking at your collection, and remembering when you met your skateboarding hero.
That’s something special, and we knew we had to share it.
Get ready to ride this wave of nostalgia and skateboarding tales in an exclusive interview with Adam Croft.
SPS – Where did you grow up, and what was your skate scene like?
Adam – I grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and started skating in 1983.
Our local scene was pretty sweet—many backyard ramps, concrete ditches, parking lots, and a few good shops.
Our local pros were Bill Danforth, Bill Tocco, and Garold Valley. To this day, I still see them regularly.
SPS – How did you get into collecting skateboards?
Adam – I always saved my decks from growing up.
Once the reissues started coming out, I had fun getting some of my old favorites. Then I began to find OG’s at garage sales, craigslist, and eBay.
In 2013, I met another Craigslist collector who told me about a Facebook collector’s group. I joined the group, and that’s when the fun started.
I started buying/selling/trading OGs on Facebook. I had no idea that there were collector groups out there! Nowadays, you can’t keep up with all the collector groups on Facebook.
SPS – Do you remember the first skateboard you rode?
Adam – Of Course! It was a Nash Thriller that I got for Christmas in 1983. Several years ago, I found one on eBay in mint condition. I won the bid at $20.
SPS – So, over the years, your direction has changed with collecting, and most of your collection is now autographed decks, correct?
Adam – Yep, that’s correct. In 2010, I ran into Mike McGill in Encinitas.
We skated for an hour or so.
He told me Christian Hosoi would be at his shop the next day.
I stopped by McGill’s shop the next day, bought a McGill and a Hosoi Hammerhead, and got them both autographed.
After that, I got obsessed and needed to get all my boards signed!
SPS – Which skateboard in your collection holds the most sentimental value and why?
Adam – My Town & Country Zoner. It was my first “real” board. My Grail.
It was also the most fun to hunt for. It took 15 years to find one in mint condition.
Ironically, there is no pro to autograph that board!
Over those 15 years, I bought/sold/traded a lot of T&Cs.
There is a small group of hardcore T&C collectors, and we’re always looking out for each other when we see T&Cs for sale.
SPS – Can you share an exciting story about how you acquired one of your skateboards?
Adam – I bought my Salba Bevel from Steve personally.
It was from his personal board stash in his garage.
He gave me his number and told me to FaceTime him when I got home so that he could see my collection. That was a fun one.
That’s really what makes collecting autographs so fun.
I have met almost every skater that I’ve ever wanted to (except Craig Johnson).
They are always stoked to sign an old deck or magazine. I have become friends with many pros who have signed my boards.
SPS – What is the rarest skateboard in your collection?
Probably my G&S Bill Tocco Gunslinger. I bought it from a dude in Finland.
SPS – Are there any skateboards you regret not buying when you had the chance?
Adam – Nope. I only have regrets about selling, never for not-buying.
I have missed out on some decks, but that’s also part of the fun.
I have just about every board that I have ever wanted. Sometimes you have to be patient and dig deep.
SPS – If you could have had a pro model, what would have been your graphic and why?
Adam – I’ve never thought of that before. I like simple graphics. I like cartoon-type stuff from Lance and Gonz, but I also love the gnarly Pushead and Neckface stuff. I would end up with a Duane Peters Skull Skates type of design.
SPS – Cheez-whiz or provolone on a cheesesteak?
Adam – Provolone, for sure.
SPS – Do you collect anything else besides skateboards?
Adam – Autographed Skate Magazines and stickers.
I recently started getting my old magazines signed.
I have about 50 signed magazines so far and a handful of stickers.
They’re easier to carry around than boards.
SPS – How do you feel about the current skateboard-collecting community?
Adam – It’s gotten a little crazy lately with the flippers.
Don’t get me wrong… Any serious collector has flipped something at some point.
But now it’s just a blatant money grab.
I am glad I started collecting when I did.
I stopped buying decks a few years ago, except when something special pops up.
SPS – What are some of your favorite skateboard graphics?
Adam – I like graphics that bring me back to a specific time in skate history. For example, a few of my favorites are the Lester Kasai Splat, the Dogtown Big Foot by Wes Humpston, and the Brand X Weirdo.
I like most graphics by Gonz, Lance, Blender, Lucero, VCJ, Templeton, and Pushead.
SPS – Any last words or shout-outs?
Shout out to my parents, wife, and kids for always supporting my skating. My Dad is over 80 and still goes to events with me. He has more pro friends than I do!
Also, a special shout-out to my friend, Garold Vallie. Tony Alva was in town this weekend, and Garold invited me to skate with them at a small, private session. And yes, I brought some magazines with me.
Garold is promoting his new book, DIFY (Do It For Yourself). It’s a great, quick, uplifting read.
SPS – Thanks, Adam, for doing this with us. Great collection!
Adam – Thank you, Chad! I love what you’re doing with Seven Ply Society and am honored to be a part of it! Keep up the excellent work!
Great read and great collection/story