Let's look at a few of these ideas . . .

First, the created, intentional variation. It isn't a variation if it is intentional. When it comes out that HL intentionally created different versions more collectors (and dealers) will be upset than will be happy.

To allow for a separate green water production of 500 pieces, you would have to spread the entire cost of those 500 pieces across the 1000 normal pieces to be made so that there is no potential additional cost to HL if the 500 are not sold. I, for one, would not buy the second piece and probably would not buy the first piece because of the inflated price to cover the 475 pieces that will have to be destroyed. So, People will have to pay $100 to get the $65 piece so that all potential costs can be covered.

25 people will be happy to get green water in addition to blue water. Many will just not buy the inflated price blue water version because they are really peeved at HL. Some will stop buying HL because of a non-variation variation. Some dealers will feel set up and be unable to unload the blue version until they violate their dealer agreement and deep discount. They will stop selling HL. Was it worth it to make 25 collectors happy?

The early variations were just that - true variations. They were created thru a lack of quality control as we know it today. Each painter had great latitude in choosing colors or how to paint things. That is no longer the case - each piece is painted to the same standard so that there should be no difference between the first and last piece. This allows every purchaser to enjoy the same quality piece no matter where they purchased it.

There has been an honest-to-goodness variation this year. Bishop & Clerk's was sculpted with a misspelled name and the goof was not caught. Honest mistake that will be fixed is the second half of the run is produced. Has it helped to sell any more pieces? Doubt it.

Pieces like Cedar Point and South Haven really aren't gimmick pieces. The roller coaster really is behind the light at Cedar Point, even though a little further than represented. Trust me, waves do crash over the top at South Haven. Perhaps a little over produced, but it is a representation of the light as it exists in winter time. Cape Hatteras really did slide down the way. I would prefer to not keep producing the same light in many variations, but they have all been factual (St. Augustine and others).

HL has evolved over the years, as has their supply chain. Where the early pieces may have been charming in their lack of detail and accuracy, HL has worked to make the pieces more accurate and intricate. At first they had to create large pieces to get the fine detail; as things have evolved, sculptors have evolved to being able to create the wonderful detail in a smaller piece and the manufacturing process has been able to create a finished product with this detail. Should you put a 'primitive' piece on the dealers shelf next to a current, highly detailed piece the vast majority of people will go for the detailed piece at the same price. (If I offered you a brand new Vega or a brand new, loaded Caddy at the same price how many would choose the Vega?) Hey, at one point the Model T was state of the art in automobiles. Most would rather not give up all the details and extras in their currect car to dive a Model T. Might like one for nostalgia, but then you go look for one on the secondary market, not new at a Ford dealer.

Lower production runs really would be nice, but people aren't even buying up the smaller run pieces. Until things change to a lot of people will buy collectibles and non-necessary things sparingly. HL and so many others must plan to survive and tricks and gimmicks will not help them to do that. IMHO.