2010 ???????????

Only about two months till we find out what the first half releases are for 2010.

Anybody hear any news or rumors???

Probably going to be another expensive year!

Well, we know that Jordan Point will finally come to life.....

and that there are some "unique" APs out there that may become available.....

I would like to see McGulpin Point be a 2010 release.

It doesn't matter to me what Harbour Lights produces as they are all top quality and look great. What I really want to see is the price return to somewhat normal and the quantity of limited editions (Society, instore event and regionals included) not exceed 12-15 issues for the entire year. If your market isn't there to sell out 1200 pieces in an issue then your market isn't there. Bringing out 20-25 pieces won't improve your market, it will only cause your existing market to dry up more and that includes me. I think the way HLs is thinking is the more pieces we bring out each year the better off we(HL) will be. Not true! The more pieces that are issued means more collectors will give up collecting in disgust because they either cannot afford to buy them because of the economy or they are out of space and don't want to buy them to store in their closet.

I have to agree with Rich. This was the first year since collecting HL's that I cannot complete my spreadsheet to include all 2009 editions. Yes cost was an issue but if I cannot display them, I won't purchase them. Closets are for clothes.

Good Thursday Morning!

All of the January 2010 Releases are commissioned, histories are written and the first paint samples have been received!

AJC

Good Thursday Morning!

I want to be very honest - are the 2010 Replicas back to 1991 prices - of course not.

When you see the AMAZING detail and craftsmanship of 2010,you know why Harbour Lights has outlasted all of the competition!

That said, we have clearly heard Collector and you will be pleased.

AJC

Great news Tony. Now the challenge has begun. What will they be, and in what month will they be released? That is the question, and only Tony Knows!!!

Used to be " Only the Shadow knows" for those of us old enough to remember RADIO.

I remember listening to a rather old scratchy sounding AM Radio lying in bed in the late 40's.."Who knows what evil lurks..." The Shadow! It was fun and a weebit scary to a young lad like myself at that time. It was always interesting to try and get those far away stations after the sun went down. Now we pay for satellite radio. Who would have thought about that back in the old days.

Bob

"The Shadow", Bob!

Or when William Conrad (the fat guy) said "Hi yo Silver, away!" as the Lone Ranger on AM radio on Sunday night. The Shadow, with the power to cloud mens minds, knows.

Here's a scoop which should make avid collectors happy: expect many fewer Harbour Lights releases in 2010. Edition size will generally still be 1,200, but the total number of LEs + SEs + ABs + Lenses will be considerably fewer and no LLs are in the pipeline. (I'm assuming NELL's 2 releases will be coming out for 2010.)

You can still download some of those old radio shows free for iPods and iPhones through iTunes.com. Dragnet, Johnny Dollar, Lone Ranger, Mystery Theater and Sherlock Holmes. Still good stuff today.

... they'd be the only ones I'd have half a slim chance of buying ...

"Many" ???? ..... as in 10 fewer ???

or do you mean a "Couple" fewer as in 2 ???

I'm ok with a couple fewer, but would really be bummed if it's anything more then that.

Loon - And why would you be "bummed" about a lower issue quantity? You said in an earlier post that you might have to give up your autoship because of the costs(or something like that). I would think that you would be happy(as probably 95% of the existing collectors will be) if the number of issues is greatly reduced. By cutting back on the number of issues, it will be less for you to buy and less that you will missout on. I know that I will be very happy because: 1)I'm running out of room. 2)Money is also at an issue. 3)It's like throwing money down the drain with NO Secondary Market. 4)HLs was flooding the market with multiple issues to make up for dwindling sales causing collectors to give up in disgust. If you want quantity to be your reason to collect because you want to cherry pick what you want to buy then maybe try collecting Matchbox Cars or Baseball Cards. If you truly want to get the collector base back up for HLs, the quantity of issues must come back down so the novice collector will feel he/she has a chance and can afford to collect the LEs.

Let's start with the count on how many introductions there were in 2009?

Anybody got that? The HL website is incomplete.

In 2008, there were:
18 LE (including Society, Event, Christmas)
1 AB
4 GLOWs
4 LL

= 27 pieces

In 2007, there were:
18 LE (Including Society, Event, Christmas)
2 AB
1 Lens
5 GLOW
1 LL (Pointe Aux Barques)

= 27 pieces

Rich, I may drop my autoship because of the cost that hits me when 4 pieces come in at once. I still plan on buying all the releases no matter how many. I think in the past, before I had the autoship, I enjoyed the hunt. Going to different stores or different websites to see if I could find a two digit new release.

John, I think your LLOM totals are too low. But since we are only talking about LE's, I would leave out the GLOWs and LLOMs and just total the LE's.

I pretty sure 2009 had 20 LE releases(8 first half + 8 second half + 2 Society + 2 Store/Regional).

If HL is downsizing, I would hope no less then 18 for 2010. If that helps sales, maybe only 16 in 2011.

I don't think downsizing is going to help. Example: by making 2 less, HL now doesn't make a California and Maryland piece that they would have had room for if they had 20 releases. Those that buy them all will have to spend a little less, but many California and Maryland only buyers won't be buying anything and may then lose interest since there state were skipped.

Just my opinion !!!!!!!!

I'm hoping for a maximum of 15 pieces including any Anchor Bays, Lens and Event Pieces. That would be a little over 1 a month and makes it very managable for all concerned whatever their reasons(money, space, etc.).

How about 15 core LE's and 3 special very limited fundraiser LE's (the size of Duxbury Pier and Jordan Point, not LLOM size)?

For those who wish to buy more!

An option for those that want to buy more, instead of flooding the market with new additions, is to buy some of the older editions(prior to the 5500 series) that are cheaper then dirt on Ebay or the Forums. Do you have all of the ones after the 5500 series? I realize that not everyone liked the 5500 series, but, there are plenty of others to go around that you probably don't have.

Right now there are some fantastic buys in the Forums. Do you have all of the ones that are being offered up? We need to back off on new limeted editions so that the dealers can clear some of their inventory and the collectors can also have a break on their pocketbooks.

So, I have money in my pocket, and a few ligthhouses on my wish list...they are not on the Forum, ebay or retired at retail...is there another place I should look or just be patient?

If you are looking for a HL product that you have not seen listed for sale, post a "wanted" ad in the Trading Post forum.

Now, back to the original purpose of this thread, anyone have any thoughts on what might be on the list? Given that we have seen some international product this year, I wonder if we will see another international piece, perhaps in a unique version?

I'm hoping to see an Anchor Bay(CGC Storis, 47' motor life boat or 180' bouy tender), another lens and maybe a Hawaiian and Alaskan lighthouse plus a lighthouse from each of the different regions(NE, middle Atlantic, SE, Gulf Coast, Eastern GL, Western GL, Pacific NW, California, International, Instore Event Piece and a Society Piece. That would be 15 pieces to buy plus a free Society membership gift.

Everybody would be happy with a piece from their area and we would not go overboard with issues. I really have no preference on what is made other then the Anchor Bay release.

I think you'll be happy, Rich. An AB and a Lens seem probable. No idea which or when. Or maybe you have been advising HL on the AB??

Come what may for 2010..., but I think my idea would work!!!

I think it's a good bet we'll see an AB in 2010.

Since we just has a lens, I think not for a few years.

But what do I know!

No input to HLs from this end but the Storis (becoming a museum) and the 47' and 180' are CG workhorses and I am hoping if it isn't the Storis (1st choice) then one of these will be the next AB.

According to Tony: international pieces are the least popular and do not sell well. Hawaii and Alaska also are not popular. So I doubt we will see any in 2010, if we do I will be very pleasantly surprised!
HCS

I think we are due for an Alaskian release. Many had one on their wishlist, so who knows.

I'm hoping for Five Fingers, AK !!!

International lights have always been poor sellers. However, I think you will see an interesting release involving an international light this year.

Yes, I'm looking forward to that release.

Yes, I'm looking forward to that release.

--------------------
LI Bob

So obviously some people know something - any info or hints?
HCS

Think international. . .

Two years in a row with a foreign release??? Ya'd think they are running out of US lights! And it sounds like fewer releases as well. Not many US lights in 2010.

Oh well.....

Loon, there were two international releases last year..

HL376 Haut-Fond Prince, Canada and HL380 Fastnet Rock, Ireland

There will be one less sale for HL from me next year as I do not buy international lights.

You may buy one in 2010..

I guess I don't consider non-USA North American lights as international. But they are!

Most of the Canadian lighthouses that border near the US seem hard to consider international.

So.....when do ya think we'll hear about the first batch for 2010?

Last week in December as usual?

I'm thinking 16 to 18 LE's for 2010 including 2 Society, 1 Christmas, 1 Anchor Bay, 1 or 2 event pieces. No GLOWs. Maybe a couple of LL (NELL's NE set issued at 2 per year.)

Pieces may be shrinking in size somewhat to keep the costs at a target of about $70 each. Cost of raw materials and labor is less when the piece is smaller -- (less resin, less paint, quicker paint time, etc.) Edition sizes for most still about 1,200. Event and Society may be considerably smaller.

Wonder if there will be a Regional Event in 2010?

And I wonder if we'll see another "Buy 6 get one free direct from HL" deal? Better plan on it and keep your receipts.

Maybe we can get them to take silver and gold as a barter!? I'd rather spend $5+ in silver rather than $70+ in Fed Notes ...then again, if they keep going in opposite directions, that will drop!

What a great way to start the New Year with the announcement of the 2010 releases! Looking forward to the great news!

Can't wait for the announcement. Only a few more weeks !!!

Getting closer and haven't heard a clue as to the announcement date !

CLUE......."What a great way to start the New Year with the announcement of the 2010 releases. Looking forward to the great news".

Great Point Light, MA?

or

Great Duck Island, ME ???

or

Great Beds, NJ ???

Always thought they needed to add Great Point, Nantucket, MA. Maybe this will be the year.

Bob

I'm ready for the "Great" news !!! So when is it?

"All comes to those who wait"

My guess is right around News Years Eve/Day!

Good Wednesday Morning1

After careful thought, we will annonce the 2010 Winter Release the second week in January!


Harry has outdone himself!

AJC

Good Wednesday Morning AGAIN!

Just when you thought is was SAFE.... he's back!

The 2010 Winter Release does have an International Replica of historic significance to the construction of lighthouses!

AJC

I'm trying my best!

Tony gave you a really good clue to one of the 2010 releases..

The 2010 Winter Release does have an International Replica of historic significance to the construction of lighthouses!

AJC


Is it a Stevenson lighthouse?

To me it looks like it has something to do with "SAFE"!

Not a Stevenson lighthouse and the clue is "an International Replica of historic significance to the construction of lighthouses!"

Not knowing the history of lighthouses like some of you, I am going to venture 3 guesses when it concerns the construction methods of lighthouses and where they originated. My first guess is the screwpile(Thomas Point) method and where was that developed? My second guess is the all steel skeleton(Aligator Reef) method and where was that developed)? If I had a third guess I would guess the steel plate over concrete/wood method and where was that developed?

Screwpiles originated in England and were used in the Thames. I don't know about the origins of the other methods.

If it's not a Stevenson designed wave wash lighthouse, then let's go back to my #1 idea and that being a screwpile lighthouse. The first one was built on the Thames by a blind irishman by the name of Thomas Alexander. The name of the lighthouse is Maplin Sands. Is this the International light that is going to be produced?

After the overwhelming response I received from my suggestion that it might be a scewpile light named Maplin Sands, I would also like to make the suggestion that it might also be the first Eddystone light that I BELIEVE was a skelton tower. Maybe I can get response out of this one even if it is to tell me I am wrong about the first Eddystone Light.

I'd like to respond to Rich's suggestions, but I have no clue about foreign lighthouses and there origins.

I'm more interested in what the rest of the releases are.

Still no responses, so to speak, other then the Loon's. My #3 choice is the Bustard Head Lighthouse assembled in Queensland, Australia in 1868. The lighthouse iron sides were shipped over as a kit from England and the ironclad sides were then assembled on to the wooden beams built in Queensland. This was the first iron sides over wood lighthouse constructed.

Now the question is: Will it be a screwpile, skeleton or iron clad lighthouse that we will see coming, OR, will it be something completely different. What are your guess, feelings or thoughts?

Happy New Year!

The 2010 Line up:

(11) Limited Editions
(1) GLOW
(1) Lens
(1) Anchor Bay
(1) Christmas Replica
(2) 2010-11 Collectors' society Replicas

That is what the entire 2010 line up looks like at this writing! Is there a possibility of more pieces beig intoduced during the year - perhaps! Let's see what the economy looks like! All the 2010 Replicas have been commissioned and, we are waiting for onlty one more first sample to leave China!

To date, (2) exclusive limited edition LLOM have been commissioned, in fact one has been delivered to the Customer! I am working with several other societies - my sales goal is six more for 2010.

Happy New Year!

What a plan! What's missing? Anybody?

Tony, don't you mean 2010 line up or am I missing something? Also 2010-11 Collectors Society not 09-10. Confused

I am checking with Tony on the corrections..

Missing pieces might be:

Store event piece

Regional event piece

Gold piece(s)

Thumbnail(s)

Ornaments

Reunion pieces-LOL?

A little disappointing to see only 17 releases. I'm including the GLOW, because I collect these too.

- I hope the GLOW is something special.
- I think there should only be a lens every few years, certainly not the same year as an Anchor Bay.
- No mention of a Store or Regional Event piece, Hopefully they will be added to the numbers.
- Maybe this is the year will see our first fundraiser LE(edition size similiar to the limited LLOM's but the piece is Jordan Point or Duxbury Pier size).
- Interesting statement Tony made about possibly more releases depending on the economy.

I think the GLOW is very special, so is the lens..

I don't know any inside information, I just shoot the pictures but I suspect the economy statement may refer to the possibility of Store or Regional Event pieces.

The Anchor Bay has a special twist to it!

Harry and Harbour Lights have put together a very interesting line up this year..

I changed the 2011 to 2010 in Tony's post, he is probably just thinking ahead to the following year's planning..

Does anyone know if we will get a "NEW" Catalog this year???? I hope so. As good as good as the last one was I think we need a new one??

Should be anyday now that we get some HL news on the first batch of new releases.

Good Tuesday Morning!

Yes, there will be a 2010 new catalog - released in February.

I am still making corrections and edits!

AJC

Sounds like it is a busy time of year for those folks in southern Maine!!!! ....and I am not talking about the recent snowfall around Portland either.

Looking forward to seeing the new "egg-celent" releases....

Very reliable source whispered to me that the listing of the 2010 Winter Releases will probably be sometime this coming weekend--here's hoping s/he has put the list somewhere other than his/her desk,'cause it'll never see the light of any day anytime soon if it's on that desk!!

Sandy

Will the new 2010 HL catolog be available on the HL website for reference too?

Would that Egg be with a Rock or a Harbor ???