How do you display?

Since I am not backed by Bill Gates or not lucky enough to have started in 91, I have to restrict myself to the the east coast lighthouses. I have filled one curio and started on another. So those of you who collect them all, how do you display? I know you built your own lighthouse in your library to hold them all in, correct?

Hi dodad. You may find interesting reading on this subject in earlier postings to these fora at: http://216.46.163.97/forums/Forum3/HTML/000060.html . Hope this proves helpful.

Thanks Lamar. I missed that thread. I learned alot. There is a rumor that service mechendise is going out of business in the not to distant future. I just bought a corner cabnet at 1/2 price. Won't hold a lot but since I have 9.5 ft of curio that I bought last year I should not need too much real soon.

Thanks for the tip Gail. I need another and we have a Service Merchandise here.

We have one here also, but I hope you are wrong to the going out of business part. My brother works for them.....Speaking of curios, the one I have filled is 54" wide and 16" deep and 90" tall and again I am on the way of filling up number 2. Thanks for the info Lamar very enlighting.

Hi Dodad, ... I currently display HLs in two large curios and also on two hutches. I just put a 480 square foot addition on my house so I'll have room for more curios (LOL!). I change my displays every once in a while by putting some back into their boxes and bring others out. I find it hard to put some of the new HLs away because they are so well done. I'm planning on putting a large entertainment center in the new addition which will give me more display space for HLs and my Anchor Bay pieces. I'm sure I'll be adding another curio in the near future to assist me with my displaying dilema.

Bob (Only 8 LEs to go!)

Hi Dodad,

My collection spans two rooms. Each has a set of shelves that I use the top 1/3 of the shelves to display the HLs. I don't like do use the lower shelves because it's difficult to see the pieces up close without getting down on your hands and knees.

I have all of the East and Gulf coast lights on display. For the most part, if you were to start at the top left of the first set of shelves and work you way right and down, they're displayed in geographic order, north to south, from Maine to Texas.

The exceptions are the Christmas pieces and the Stamp set, which occupy a wall shelf of their own.

If I had my druthers, I'd have a lighted, glassed in, built-in set of shelves that would hold them all. Maybe in the next house ...

Rick

It doesn't matter how much room you have.....it never seems like enough.

I currently display about 60 HL's in two large curios. If I were to pack them in close together, I could probably display close to 76 total, but it looks way to cluttered. Pieces can get damaged much more easily this way as well.

I keep defering the purchase of more curios in my pursuit of completing my collection. There are probably 70 Harbour Lights still in their boxes on the floor of the lighthouse room.

I never display HL's unprotected. I think that there is just too great a risk of damage this way, be it from unknowing hands, pets, or the environment (dirt/dust).

My goal is to one day have the entire collection on display. As for now, rotating the pieces into or out of the curios not only gives a fresh look, but gives me an excuse to clean the glass and mirrors of the curios and to dust the HL's.

-Todd

I also display mine in geographic order, but each state has it's own shelf. There are the exceptions when I put 2 or 3 states together.
My Ca lights, & Hi lights are on a shelf together, but geographically, Ca is the closest state to Hi anyway.
I did see something awhile back in the forums about SHURING up shelves in a curio, but didn't see the original tips, if someone could help me, I would really appreciate it.

Hi Noelle. Perhaps this is the thread you're remembering? http://216.46.163.97/forums/Forum3/HTML/000047.html

Rick,

I am like you. I am presently looking at house plans and one of the major concerns is the placement of my lighthouses. Right now I am looking into placing a built in bookcase with glass doors on both sides between the family room and the dining area.

This is the only thing I was asking be included, the other items the wife can plan.

Have a good and "lighted" day.

Dodad,

My displays are in a holding pattern. Will plan shelving this winter and early spring.

In the process of laying away lights and paying for them over time so as not to lose out on the retirement disease that afflicts all of us with a moderate income.

My dealer is very helpful in this matter.

Moby

As of this writing they are all over the house. A few in the living room, some in the bedroom. (None in the kitchen or bathrooms, my wife would frown on that)!

Shopping around for a suitable curio cabinet.Hopefully I'll find one soon.

[This message has been edited by Mike Seewald (edited 07-28-99).]