DATE: Sunday, November 23, 1997             TAG: 9711230058

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   77 lines

NAVAL MUSEUM DRAWS CROWD, FINALLY, FOR AUCTION OF CONTENTS

It took decades to collect the Tiki Tai Naval Museum's treasures, but only a little more than three hours Saturday to disseminate them.

The museum, forced to close recently for lack of attention, drew more than 100 people to a public auction to give its exhibits a good military retirement.

``I came to make sure no one got away with stealing a few of the items,'' said Tom Hise, who spent nearly 20 years in the Navy and participated in four major World War II invasions.

Like Tom Imeson, who started the Tiki Tai from military paraphernalia he once kept in his Holland Road restaurant, Hise also has a museum collection. It's in storage because of the hefty expense of displaying it.

``Tom brought a lot of ship reunions here,'' said Hise of Imeson, who did not attend the auction. ``It's a shame he didn't get the same kind of support he gave. It's a shame all these people didn't support the museum when it was open.''

The majority of the buyers were veterans of the armed forces - mostly Navy according to a show of hands during a brief break in the auctioning in front of the museum. Many of the bidders said they didn't know the museum had existed. Tucked behind food and souvenir shops at the Oceanfront between 14th and 15th streets, it's not visible from Atlantic Avenue.

Steve Pantazes, Tiki Tai's curator, said that after the museum's opening in May 1996, which was attended by Beach officials, the city did nothing to promote it along with its other attractions.

The catalog compiled by Phoebus Auction Gallery listed 328 items, but many of the photos, ship models, World War II-era shell casings, uniforms and other memorabilia were offered as sets. Prices ranged from a few dollars for some Marine bumper stickers to $25 for ship models of the USS Missouri and USS Sullivan.

A 19th century Navy uniform complete with sword, medals, gold epaulettes and the mannequin displaying it sold for close to $1,000. That was the most expensive item sold, according to Imeson, contacted later in the day.

Imeson said he was disappointed the collection couldn't remain together and continue to educate visitors about the nation's military history. Most everything but the museum's furniture sold. And while he was pleased others wanted the have the items, he said, ``People won't get to see them because they are mostly going into homes.''

Mostly, bidders came for one or two pieces.

Ross Hendricks, a 30-year Navy veteran, thought a beer stein with an image of Columbus' famous journey looked good for $10.

Lance Wallen, retired from the Air Force, missed out on a large brass lantern with a reflector that sold for $270.

``I thought it might be interesting to pick up some of the things,'' said Wallen, adding he was still hoping to get some art work, ship models and a boiler plate from the Maine.

Michael O'Hagan, a retired Navy commander, collects nautical antiques and was planning to bid on a cannonball fired at Fort Monroe.

He and Diana Huntress, a Navy captain, said they were surprised so many people came to the auction. While Hampton Roads is filled with active and retired military personnel, they didn't believe many people collected old war and nautical items.

``A lot of people like to keep work separate from home,'' she said.

But Lucky Luciana, a retired Marine who bought a set of Marine bumper stickers, said he believes military service is different.

``I was hoping to get a cigarette lighter from the Wisconsin for my uncle, but there isn't one,'' he said. ``He served on the Wisconsin, and I know they made the lighters because I have one from the Iowa. . . . I'd like to have something else. Maybe a Navy blanket.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

NHAT MEYER/The Virginian-Pilot

Chad Long of Virginia Beach, center, reads a list of auction items

from the Tiki Tai Naval Museum. The 19th century uniform on the

mannequin in the foreground sold for $1,000, the highest price of

the day.

Allyson Emmerson, 14, of Norfolk, holds up a mirror for auction at

the Tiki Tai Naval Museum in Virginia Beach Saturday.

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