Ken Black, RIP

Rumors are already arising from both coasts that Harbour Lights would like to create something that will honor and recognize the late Ken Black for his role in preserving lighthouses and lighthouse apparatus.

The Rumor Wrangler can't see that happening until 2008 since the 2007 line has already been OK'd -- or so the rumor sez.

Unanswered questions: What would be appropriate to make? Would Harbour Lights collectors 'Buy it' or see the gesture as inappropriate?

That's an idea, but...

Wouldn't that be setting a precedent?
Who would decide in the future who might be worthy of such an honor, and...who might not?

Is it possible that some who have gone before him might also be worthy of such an honor?

But if I were to suggest an HL piece to make in Ken's honor, it would be either the lightship he commanded or the USCGC Ojibwa.

~Judy

Either of Judy's suggestion would be fine with me. Another suggestion would be a small statue of Ken in a Coast Guard Uniform(old Dress Blue uniform prior to 1973 current uniform) similiar in size to the Surfman statues.

If it is in his honour, then part of the profit should be donated to The Lighthouse Museum. That's what he would have wanted.
HCS

Mr.Rumor Wrangler

The obvious would be to make a Fresnel lens In Ken’s honor.
It should be one of the many that he salvaged and kept from being destroyed.
One from the Maine Museum would be the most appropriate.

Also what would be a neat and crazy idea would be that a limited edition of 500 of a special version could be offered from the Maine Museum.
I feel that Harbour Lights collectors would Buy it and accept it as very appropriate. Fresnel lens are a hot seller and so would this one. The neat story behind how Ken salvaged many lens would make it a great seller.

Hey, it was done for The Flying Santa, why not for Mr. Lighthouse?! I think Rich's idea is terrific but so is Judy's about the ship Ken commanded.

The idea is great. I am for the lightship! But then I didn't know Ken, so I am not sure if that is the best "representation" for him.
I just think HL could make more lightships anyway and if Ken comanded one ...

I did not know Ken Black but heard of his devotion. The connected collectors of the CF would gladly accept Harbour Lights doing some sort of "memorial" piece in rememberance of Ken, but I really don't know how a non-connected collector would accept such a thing.

There are a lot of great suggestions above. Perhaps adding a "...small statue of Ken in a Coast Guard Uniform(old Dress Blue uniform prior to 1973 current uniform) similiar in size to the Surfman statues" suggested by Rich may be the right thing to do. This commmerative statue could be added to most any piece replicated by Harbour Lights.

Another thing that could be done, along with the statue, is to add Ken's "K.B." initials in an inconspicuous manner on the piece that accompanies the statue. Sooner of later someone will notice the initials and wonder what they stand for. This would result in that person or persons learning of Ken's devotion to his beliefs.

Another option would be a specially designed version of a new legacy light with a likeness of Ken right on the piece. Perhaps he could be in dress blues saluting the colors which could be depicted at half mast in his honor.

There are so many things that can be done to honor his memory. It's nice to know that those suggestions may come right from the CF Family of Friends.

Bob

Here is a picture of some of the Lighthouse lens that Ken was able to save. Maybe a small set of lighthouses lens around the size of the christmas orns. These could be the LLOM version of the Fresnel lens

Ken Black Lighthouse Museum

Okay
I added to my own thoughts.
Harbour Lights could make the
The Ken Black collection
This would be a set of four or five of the Fresnel lens modeled from those that are in the Maine Museum (Ones that Ken has able to salvage). As stated before, they would be the size of the Fresnel ornaments that were released a couple of years ago, but they would have a small stand like the LE versions. They would not light up and would be considered as a LLOM version of the Fresnel lens. They all would be proportional in size of each other, like the picture. A set of four or five could be released and if it was a big hit, more could be made. I believe there are at least 30 Fresnel lens at the museum.

Ken Black Lighthouse Museum

I'm for either the lightship idea, or for a another CF exclusive in his honor.

I'm drawing a blank on the Flying Santa thing. I mean, I know about the Flying Santa, just not the H.L. version. Anybody help?

Mike

Mike, the Flying Santa piece was done 5-6 years ago. Shows it retired 12/02 but the product page no longer exists. As I recall, it was a figurine of William Wincapaw, the gentleman known as the Flying Santa. There were others out around the same time - don't think any of them did particularly well.

Seems to ring a bell now.

You can find more about the Flying Santa on page 411 of the Offical Collectors Guide.

Product release was in 1999.