This is a dead subject as far as I'm concerned. About a year ago I brought this subject up and also called Harbour Lights. I asked them if they were ever going to consider selling the cases separate and they gave a flat NO. They said the cases were too hard to ship and the damage would be too great. They also said the cost of the cases would be too much and it would not make it profitable to carry the cases and that they would have no idea how many to make. I suggested making a thousand for each new Anchor Bay. This would allow the buyer that wanted one to order direct from HL. The buyer could furnish his (or her) serial number and HL could simply stamp the number into a pre-made brass plate. They said it would still not be profitable to stock a 1000 cases until they were sold. I then suggested taking special orders for the cases until they had a set amount and then they could have them made(along with the serialized plate) and have the manufacturer ship them direct to the collector and again they nixed it. The forum members responded with little enthusiam and I just gave up on the subject and chaulked it up as just a few collectors interested.

I then went out and bought 7 open edition Cheasapeake and Huron AB ships (all at 50% off) and sold the AB models on the Forums for $25.00 each. This left me 7 cases costing me roughly $50.00 ea. I took the brass plates off the cases and took one of the brass plates to a local trophy shop and for $15.00 they duplicated the artwork for the brass plate by laser etching the insignia. When I need a brass plate I take the information to them (ie, USCG, 41 Foot Utility Boat, 112/4000) and they make a plate for me for $12.00 ea. I've done this for the 110' WPB, 41' UTB and the Rigid Hull Inflatable. They sit there looking like they came straight from Harbour Lights and match the early edition glass cases perfectly.

If anybody out there wants a brass plate made for any of the AB that did not come with a brass plate, contact me and I'll arrange to have one made for you. All you have to do is send me $12.00 and I'll have it made and send it to you. If you want to have all three made at one time it would make it easier to handle. You will be impressed with the plate and then all you have to do is get your cases. Anchor Bays are quite easy to find at 50% off.

Now to answer the question "would you be interested in buying from Harbour Lights a glass case and brass plate"? Only if the case and plate were to cost less then $60.00 and that would have to include shipping/handling.

Rich