Julien's Auctions and Complex revisited the private sanctuary of legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, taking viewers on an exclusive tour to highlight the artifacts up for bid in the "Tony Hawk: The 900 Collection" auction. Set to take place on September 23 at 10:00 AM PT, both online and live from the Loews Hotel in Hollywood, this event offers an unprecedented look into the career of one of the most influential athletes of all time.

Hosted by Joe La Puma for the show On Display, the episode delves into the stories behind some of the most coveted skate artifacts in the world, tracing Hawk's journey from the vert ramp to the world's auction block. This collection, featuring nearly 100 items, bridges the gap between celebrity, sports, and pop culture, all through the artifacts that tell the best stories.

‘The Holy Grail’ and a Twist of Fate

The centerpiece of the auction is the most significant skateboard in history: the Birdhouse "Falcon 2" deck used by Hawk to land the first-ever 900 at the 1999 X Games. While history has immortalized this board, the full story reveals an element of pure chance. The Falcon 2 was never supposed to be the one. The board Hawk had used to win a bronze medal in the "Vert Singles" final a day earlier cracked during a photoshoot just hours before the "Vert Best Trick" event. This meant a last-minute replacement—the Falcon 2—was called into service, unknowingly destined for greatness. This is the board that endured ten failed attempts before finally carrying Hawk to victory on the eleventh try. The auction includes both the legendary Falcon 2 and the "board that should have been," offering a complete picture of this historic moment.

Boarded Up: A Life's Work in Artifacts

Outside of the iconic 900 board, the collection features a range of artifacts that paint a detailed portrait of Hawk's career and personal life. He also reveals the surprising story of his first Powell Peralta pro model, which was damaged in a house fire, found after being tossed out by a Quicksilver store, and ultimately sold back to him thanks to a trusty neighbor who laid the trail to its retrieval. The auction also includes his worn-out Adio sneakers, helmet, and kneepads which show the tell-tale signs of a vert skater’s journey to greatness.

Beyond his own auction with Julien’s, Hawk’s passion for the intersection of skateboarding and pop culture is evident in the other storied items he touched on with Complex, which includes skateboards featured in films like Back to the Future Part II and Hook, and a truly one-of-a-kind board hand-painted by Kurt Cobain. Each piece was purchased by Hawk at auction and has a unique narrative.

For Hawk, this auction is a way to share his career with the world, while also giving back to the community that has supported him. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit The Skatepark Project, his non-profit foundation that helps build safe and inclusive skateparks for the next generation of skaters.