New releases for first half of 2006?

Well it is only 8 days to November 1 and it shouldn't be too long after that we start learning about the early 2006 releases from HL. Still hoping for Owl's Head Maine.

Bert

I'm hoping for an Alaskan lighthouse. I also wouldn't mind seeing something from the Gulf.

Will Owl's Head FINALLY come out? We've been begging for it so long! My big fear is actually that, after all this waiting for an Owl's Head LE, we're going to end up with a very dissapointing piece. I'm hoping that it's not like that "never meet your heroes" kind of thing.

Otherwise...

Anything from the Gulf would have had to have been planned pre-Katrina. I'm not sure that they could have even rushed production along in the short time between the storm and deadlines. Any unplanned Gulf piece would probably be a better bet for Summer 06.

There's all sorts of little, oddball lights I'd love to see, the quirky little ones that quirky me is drawn to. But otherwise, there's nothing in particular I really want to see. Of course, I probably wouldn't be able to buy it, anyway, but it always makes me feel good when I see a favourite light produced.

It seems that the Younger Family has managed to operate quite steathfully the last couple of years. There have been very few slips. Without any slips or clues, we can only guess what might be coming to our curios in 2006.

I do have one I think may become a reality and that is Pomham Rocks Light in East Providence, RI. The timing would be good with a massive restoration project going on.

Perhaps the time is coming for a Martha's Vineyard "East Chop - West Chop" combination. Cape Pogue is another Vineyard light that hasn't been made but its secluded existence has prevented it from getting much publicity.

Hopefully, 2006 will be a good year fro HL collectors. Time will tell.

Bob

Bob,

At least somebody's on my wave length!!

I brought the restoration and Pomham up the other night on the chat and the gist came back that if HL's wasn't already on the job, it may be too late; if ALF doesn't invite them, they won't probably have an event for the relighting, and Pomham looks too much like Rose Island, Esopus and Colchester for this to be a popular release. :rolleyes:

As far as the Chops, I suggested them for the 2006-07 membership pieces and wondered if there was an inkling of any suggestions that interested them over others when Harry was told of our ideas.

Steve

Unless you are interested in lighthouses, the general public might figure all lighthouses look-a-like. The GP would describe a lighthouse as one of those mostly white towers with a black roof and a light flashing on top. They have no idea about individual designs, colors, rotating or flashing beams, timing, day marks, etc.

Then comes the true lighthouse lovers. They know that lighthouse designs can be similar but there are also many unique designs in existence. We, as collectors, find all styles of lights interesting and continue to purchase replicas for our collections even if they look like other lights.

Although Pomham Rock looks similar to a few other lights, I really don't think it would effect its popularity. As the restoration continues, a replica of the light may generate more interest in the restoration. I'm sure the people involved in the restoration would certainly appreciate having it available wghen they go looking for support.

The future of Pomham Rock is looking good! Bring on HL??? Pomham Rock!

Bob

The January introductions have traditionally shown up in the December Legacy. So I expect that will again be the case.

Remember HL has said that the online Lighthouse Legacy will return to being a benefit for Collectors Society membership.

Are you a dues-paid 2005-2006 Collectors Society member?

Join here https://www.HarbourLights.com/society/join.htm

Does Harbour Lights have your current email address? Send an email to:
HarbourLights@HarbourLights.com from your email address and include your full name in the body of the email. If you've changed addresses you should, of course, include your new mailing address.

I guess I should contact HL. I had received my online issues but recently went onto the website and discovered there was a September issue which I missed. Although I do like Owl's Head, I am wondering why there is so much interest for that particular LE. Could you all enlighten me please?

Grace, I don't think there was any general notice sent out about the September issue.

Educated guess on Owl's Head - it is a very popular light, very easy to get to. It is one of the better known and viewed lights in Maine still not produced by HL.

I took a moment and thought about what could be a future HL from my general area, right in Rhode Island:

Pomham Rock, East Providence, RI
Watch Hill Light, Watch Hill RI
Dutch Island Light, Jamestown, RI
Plumb Beach Light, North Kingstown, RI
Warwick Light, Warwick, RI
Hog Island Shoals, Bristol RI
Prudence Island Light, Sandy Point, Prudence Island
Conimicut Light, Warwick, RI
Sakonnet Light, Sakonnet, Little Compton, RI

The above are all RI existing popular lights that haven't been honored with limited edition status.

Bob

Great list of Lights Bob. I would like to add one Rhode Island LIght to your list. Not so popular but interesting design.

Here are a few pictures of CONANICUT LIGHT at the North end of Jamestown Island.








Conanicut Island Light at the North end of Jamestown Island. Would look great with its lantern room back on.

Bert

I purposely left Conanicut Light, Tyler Point, and Poplar Point off the list because they are private residences. I must admit Conanicut would certainly look great as a HL with a lantern room and that red paint with white trim.

Great pics of Conanicut, Bert!

Bob

Gorgeous pictures of a lovely light, Bert. I sure hope I get to Rhode Island someday.

Oh Knowledgeable Ones!

Does Harbour Lights have a policy [or, to rely on corporate terminology, "policies and practices"] not to do representations of decommissioned lighthouses that are now private residences, properties, etc.? I seem to recall that there was, at one time, some "hitch" to their making a Cape Arago, OR, piece [which has just recently come out] because the locale was allegedly the site of some Indian burials, and was thereby deemed "private" or somehow unavailable for a commercial representation. Given that rationale, however, 75% of the real estate west of the Mississippi would be off limits. As I had indicated elsewhere in the Forum, I certainly have on my agenda the creation of a model submission for the Braddock Point, NY, light---AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY---and would hate to think that my efforts would be scuttled because the place is now a private residence. After all, I would not be representing it as it is, today. I know that there are complex copyright laws that apply even to the imagery of architecture, i.e., whether or not you can paint a picture that includes an existing building, etc [and isn't THAT ridiculous?!, because it would all but annihilate landscape and cityscape painting], but I am unclear as to what Harbour Lights guidelines might be. At this point, I don't want to approach them directly on the matter. Insights anyone?

Danny

Dan, the reason I made that statement is because lighthouses that become private residences would probably not be good sellers because their popularity would be far less than a lighthouse that allows public access in one form or another.

Harbour Lights is in the business of selling replicas of lighthouses that the public can at least visit even if it is on a limited basis. Lighthouses that have become private property and do not allow public access would never make it worth HL's efforts to try to market it.

Bob

Danny, HL has no such policy. I asked that question way back when, when I got to pick a lighthouse for them to make as the winner of their first annual Winner's Choice prize. Kim, I believe it was, told me that it didn't matter if a lighthouse was privately owned so I picked Sisters Island. Crossover Island, also on the St. Lawence River is also privately owned. I'm sure there are probably others. Of course these days lighthouses are not given or sold to individuals as in the past. There are many privately owned lighthouses that have been lovingly cared for by their owners. I would think that recognition by HL for their efforts would be an honor.

Let's see - just quickly . . . .

Old Michigan City could be considered privately owned, but is open as a museum
Big Bay is a B&B
East Brother is a B&B
Two Harbors is a B&B and museum
Cold Spring Harbor is privately owned
Baliey's Harbor Range Lights are, I believe, privately owned by a group of some type.
St. Joseph Point FL - isn't this a private residence?

I'm sure there are others, and not all these are so private that they are out of sight/view.

Yes Dave, St Joesph,FL is privately owned. I was lucky enough to get to go inside of this interesting light a couple of years ago, and can atest to the fact that the light is in good hands.

But I will say the owners were not to happy that HL had done the light.

Selkirk is a B & B and privately owned and still for sale as far as I know. The owner is happy that an HL was done. Of course the lighthouse and marina are his business.

Not all privately/individually owned lighthouse owners are receptive to publicity, visitors, etc. as we know. But many are if approached the right way. I guess with HL it's sort of an eminent domain kind of thing. It doesn't matter who owns the lighthouse. They can still make it if they want. If they know that the owner is really opposed to it maybe they wouldn't do it? Which makes one wonder, do they advise such owners beforehand???

Think I wrote about this before, but. . . .

Stan and I drove the St. Lawrence Seaway Trail some time back. One of the stops we made was at Ogdensburg Harbor Light. The owner was mowing his lawn and Stan asked if he could take some pictures. The owner said he could if the pictures were for his own personal use. Stan told him they were and the man went on detailing how Spoontique reps had come onto the property of this lighthouse, as well as a few other in the area, taken pictures, and produced sculptures of some of the lighthouses--all without the permission of the owners. He and his neighbors were in the midst of filing a lawsuit at the time of our visit. Apparently there were items that were on the grounds depicted in the sculpture that could only have been shown if the photographs were taken recently, so this owner knew someone had trespassed in his absence.

The owner was very accommodating, allowing Stan to climb to the lens room and take pictures from that angle. I almost had a stroke when our dog (then a 2-year old black lab/border collie mix) decided she wanted to eat the owner's yippy-yappy, tiny pomeranian for lunch. But I digress. . . .

That's exactly what I meant Sandy about approaching the owners the right way. I have been well received and granted permission to photograph privately owned lighthouses. But you have to ask first. And I do believe I've heard about that lawsuit. You'd think a company would "ask first", especially when access to the grounds was required. Not sure about Sisters Island and Crossover as far as HL goes. Anyone with a boat can get photos of those from all sides.

Dogs? Seems like every lighthouse I visit kind of stealthily has a big dog that always barks to announce my arrival!

To add to the above list:

Bolivar (from Grace's post on another thread)

West Point Canada, and Isle au Haute, ME are also B&B lights.

Steve

How about another Texas light? We don't have many, but Matagorda, the peppermill light, is a really neat one. HL made a LLOM model but there's no LE yet.

If I were a betting man, I would bet that future LE's would be many of those lights that have already been made as LLOM's. Harbour Lights had to do the research and photography work to make the LLOM's so why not use that experience to develop the LE.

It will definitely be interesting to see what is introduced in 2006.

Bob

I believe I made a similar statement after Orient POint was made as a LLOM in 2003.

During the 2004 NJ Challenge I asked Kim about possible LEs of Finn's Point Rear Range and Tinicum Rear Range, since LLOMs were made for the previous challenge. She said that it was not likely to happen. Somehow, I don't think Charlevoix, MI and "Grand Island, MI" will appear as LEs, either.

Robert

The Two Lights at Two Lights State Park in Maine are also privately owned, One is Cape Elizabeth Light and I don't think the other one has a name, which is unusual. This one, at one time, had belonged to Gary Merrill, the movie actor.

Kay,

Believe the other tower is known as the West Tower.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/capeeliz.htm

For Danny and the group,

Cape Arago is an active CG light, located
on an island with an iron bridge to it. Being
somewhat on the ricketty (sp) side and on an
active CG base, it is not open to the public.
There is an indian burial site but it is on the
mainland side, not on the island. We found this
information when we toured the Oregon lighthouses
a few years back. We were told that the the CG
"has to allow visitors" onto the base to view
the burial site and from there you can get good
views of the LH. It is posted as a NO TRESPASSING area. Marilyn wouldn't let me walk
down the driveway to thest this theory!! So we
got our photos from Sunset Beach, just south of
the LH. We did manage to get into all the Lhs
open to the public from North Head,WA to Cape
Blanco, OR. Great Trip!!

Rich

Sounds like a fantastic trip, Rich. The information about Cape Arago is intriguing. The whole area - burial grounds, bridge, etc. - sounds lika a "must see".

And when you go there, be prepared to hear the unimaginable racket of hundreds and hundreds of sealions barking their merry heads off. You can hear them even before you catch sight of the sea!

Danny

The cacophony of sea lions barking completes the picture beautifully.

After looking at the photos and suggestions for Conanicut Light in RI, you might want to start looking forward to seeing it as the 2006 Christmas piece. Bill Younger was at the lighthouse this past April, with a local sales rep, photographing it for a "future" Christmas piece. The "red" ones always sell the best for them!

I could go for that. Conanicut at Christmas would really be lovely.

WOW! Wouldn't that be great! A Christmas piece right from my area. I hope you're right, Jim!

Bob

I totally agree with you there.
The other big seller is natural color brick or stone.

Jeez! I sure hope they don't make it a lighted one. And if they do, that they put the receptacle where it doesn't show up so much.

Just read the post about Cape Arago,thought you might want this info,true a No Trespassing sign is posted,as is the policy on all Coast Guard Housing.This is not a base per se but is a small community of housing at the end of this road.I persuaded my husband to drive down the road-{he does have a CG sticker on the car-retired Navy but the only military base nearby is CG hence the sticker.We saw a Coastie leaving his house so politely asked if we could take a picture of the LH,he said sure and told us to drive even closer past the housing to get a better view.This is the Place to view Cape Arago!

Because of the major news about the sale of Harbour Lights the introduction of the January 2006 releases has been posponed until Saturday.

I think you better look at the site again. All you have to do is click on the current product link.

Excuse me for a moment, ...I think I will go click on that link.

Bob

I couldn't find any "current product link". Was the timing error caught so that it was removed?

Bob

The link is posted on the Latest Models Forum

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=000686;p=1#000000

No, the releases are there under products and then click on 2006 Products.

Limited Editions are:

HL330 Statten Island Range, NY 4,500 $79
HL331 Fowey Rocks, FL 4,500 $99
HL332 Old Presque Isle, MI 4,500 $65
HL333 Port Clinton, OH 4,500 $45
HL335 Graves, MA 4,500 $74
HL336 Mystic Seaport, CT 4,500 $50
HL337 Owl's Head, ME 4,500 $75

Open Editions are:

HL470 Portland Breakwater, ME $60
HL471 Edgartown, MA $55
HL472 Morris Island, SC $60

Hello to all,

I was able to see the photos of the new releases. They look great overall. Owl's Head looks nice! Definitely will get that one. I hope all are as excited as I am.

Take care

Jeff

Owls head and Fowey Rocks are very nice, but the best looking one in my opinion is Old Presque Isle. Look in the available products listed by state and you can see them.

I am in a state of shock! Unbelievable that the Youngers will no longer be associated with HL. However, I am very, very happy that Harry will continue. I feel that will ensure the continuity that is needed. Hopefully, John, Dave, Paul and the others who have had a direct line to HL will be able to continue to do the same with Don. Don't let him discontinue the reunions!!

Boy Pam, are you psychic?!?

Ah, ha! I'd wondered why Pam's statement seemed to come out of nowhere; it seemed strange at the time.

Personally, I like Owl's Head, Old Presque isle, and Staten Island. I'm sure it's because there is a complex of buildings in each. That's not to say that the others are not good models. The attention to detail on HL products is inimitable and that is what makes them all so outstanding.

Just viewed 2006 picks on HL's web site. Hope Owl's Head, ME is on the sculpture because someone's got it in MA on the web site. Another Split Rock??!!

The "MA" identification was due to my fat fingers in typing. I was trying to repair it today when the website went down.

Thought it was something I did!

But now that the site is back up, I'll fix it. (Keep your fingers crossed.)

I felt the Graves Light looked really nice. This is kind of a forgotten light, but I'm looking forward to adding it to my collection.

Bob