When I told my wife that I bought my first ever collectible last week, she started having cold sweats, thinking I had just grabbed a chunk of the family savings for a way-too-early mid-life crisis. Needless to say, she was relieved when she found out that the object of my desire was just a $75 skateboard.

But what a board! And especially dear to me is what it represents, since the fact that I am fanatic about extreme sports, and have been since I was a child, is far from a state secret.

In 2009, Mumble will be presenting three people who have had an outstanding influence on the skateboarding industry over the last decades with pro skateboarder diplomas and honorary pro model decks.

The first person to be induced in this hall of fame of sort, in association with Powell Peralta and The Skateboard Mag, is none other than legendary photographer J. Grant Brittain, the founding photo editor of The Skateboard Mag.

And today, I received my own copy of this limited edition deck, number 17 of the 99 that have been produced. And to top it all off, I also got myself a classic Ripper shirt to go with it. Can you feel the joy? It’s positively palpable, isn’t it? :)

Now, I can’t wait to see who the next two legends will be. I’ll definitely try to get these boards too, as well as a[nother] personal treat: a re-issue of Steve Caballero‘s original Cab Street, my first real skateboard, in Martinique back in the 80s.

Hey, it could be worse, I could have been tempted by one of the Rip the Ripper tribute art pieces! Not that I’m not, but there’s no way I can afford one of those… :p

Update 1: I so feel like mounting trucks and era-specific wheels on this bad boy and ride the […] out of it! But I’ll be strong…

Update 2: I forgot to mention that the proceeds of the sale of these limited edition boards will be going to the Grind for Life foundation, helping people with cancer.