Amazing Nautical Gifts at Antiques of the Sea

By C. MacDonald

SUNSET BEACH, CA--If you're looking for a fabulous, unique gift, you might want to visit Antiques of the Sea. It's truly one of the most unusual stores I've ever seen, made up of the 40-year antique marine collection of Eric Bakker. Located across the street from Capt. Jack's Restaurant (at 16811 Pacific Coast Highway), Bakker's business, which looks like a museum, is chockfull of everything nautically imaginable—from authentic World War II Navy Ships' Wheels, a 300-year-old bronze Lantaka Cannon, a 1990 Russian copper and brass Diving Helmet to figurehead bow ornaments, ancient pistols, boarding pikes (long wooden shafts with iron or steel spears used by sailors to keep enemies from boarding their ship) and a giant brass bell from the Queen Mary. There's even a huge giant harpoon, one of the most expensive things in his store.

You already may have seen some of his interesting items, which he also rents out for movie productions. One of his models of the U.S. Constitution tall ship was used in the filming of "The Perfect Storm." Disney purchased some his amazing antiques for Tokyo Disney Resort.

Bakker accumulated his incredible collection by visiting salvage yards and other places in Europe, along the East Coast and elsewhere. He has a remarkable bunch of old ship bells, which give off a different ring, depending on where they came from, what their official function was and what material they are made out of.

The amiable chap, who looks like a Ship Captain, has a marvelous sense of humor, which he shares while explaining his collection to awed visitors at the unbelievable treasure trove, open from Noon to 5pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can view photos of his collection by climbing aboard his website, antiquesofthesea.com, or call him on 562-592-1752. "Ship Ahoy!"