Newbie here looking for some guidance

Hi all,

I used to collect and had to stop for almost 3 years. Just wondering about a couple of questions to get back in the swing of things.

About what would be fair prices to pay for each of the "Southern Belles" and any ideas on where to get any of them? There's a couple I do want and I may, over the years, try to get them all.

The other q. is - which are the "must get" pieces that have been released in the past few years and are still possible to find?

Any other info that would be useful will be appreciated.

Thanks.

The new market place right here on the forum, put what you need so whatch the line form. Ditec (sp?) Lighthouse it beats the old fashion way. Collectors World and Light House Depot are good retail source that have a stock of retired pieces. There are also quite a few on ebay but you get them at you own risk. There will also be a number of other suggestion on this topic.

Good Hunting

Chuck

if I remember correctly, the Southern Belles are on e-bay. The auction ends around 3:30 p.m. eastern time. Just happened to be checking what's available and then saw this post

Plebetkin, I think TheFloridian is looking for the full size Southern Belles! The ones in the ebay auction are the "spyglass" series! It would be nice though if you could get the full size pieces for $41!!!! (LOL)

Welcome to the forums, TheFloridian!!!

Try the marketplace and ask for the ones you want! You might be surprised with the responses! Good Luck!

I have been looking for a few of them. They have been going for $120-150 on the bay depending.

Floridian, Great deals on E-bay. In December I seen the Southern bells with box and all paper-work go for $21.00. I know cause I was outbid at 19.99. There out there,Its kind of like fishing sit and wait and they will come.

Ron, Are you sure they were the limited edition Southern Belles or were they the Southern Belles Spyglass Set? $21 for the Spyglass Set is a very good price but would have been a improbability for the LE Southern Belles. The 2003 Collector's Mart Price Guide to Contemporary Collectible and Limited Editions have the secondary market price for these pieces as:
Tybee $175.00
St Simons $325.00
St. Augustine $495.00
Ponce De Leon $295.00
Ocracoke $495.00
Key West $355.00
Hilton Head $325.00

Now adding these prices together comes to $2468.00 so $21.00 isn't even thinkable. Even one of these gems for $21.00 is not possible.

Floridian, If I was going to buy anything from the last few years that are still available at or near retail they would be:

Fifth Order Fresnel Lens $80.00 (Retired, near retail price)
Sanibel Island, FL $120.00 (Retired, near retail price)
Hillsboro Inlet, FL $125.00 (Retired, near retail price)
Old St Augustine, FL $75.00 (Retired, near retail price)
Point Arena, CA $79.00 (Retired, 20%-30% over retail)
Harbour Lights Legacy (Red Letters) Sign $65.00 (Retired, near retail price)

There are many others, but, I feel these are sleepers and will eventually become hard to get. All secondary market prices are low right now and this is the time to take advantage of these low prices. Even the Southern Belles are lower then they have been for years, as I can remember St. Augustine selling in the + $600.00 range. Of course these are biased opinions of mine by having all the Florida lights listed. I'm sure that other Forum members are partial to the lights in their home areas. Lots of luck and have a great day!

Rich

FlaCoastie:

Pleasure to make your acquaintence. Thanks for the info. I don't know, but you may be a bit late on the availability on most of those you listed:

Sanibel Island, FL $120.00 (Retired, near retail
Hillsboro Inlet, FL $125.00 (Retired, near retail
Old St Augustine, FL $75.00 (Retired, near retail
Point Arena, CA $79.00 (Retired, 20%-30% over retail

I have seen a few Old St. Augustine but they get snapped up pretty quickly. The others already seem to be scarcer than hen's teeth

Sure would love to find the Southern Belles @ $21!!! I'd order a dozen. Or two.

You should try Harbour Lights retired@retail for Hillsboro Inlet, FL and Old St Augustine, FL . I have still seen a couple in stores... If the stores have reported their stock that is retired still on their shelves you should be able to find both of those through Harbour Lights..

Hi Paul. Or is it Wacko ?

Fortunately, I have those pieces (Old St. Aug. is on layaway.) I had a heck of a time finding Hillsboro though locally or via the internet.

I got the others when they first came out. I remember having to fight to get Sanibel there was such a big demand for it. Strict allocations by HL. Store's were setting up waiting lists with there being 30 or more on them. Probably like a lot of people I signed up on 4 or so. Only was able to get 1 via that route. But things were looking so grim I had already bought one at another store that was selling them on condition you bought two other pieces!

Ah, the good old days. The thrill of the chase... I wonder if it still happens or is the market too flat?