Boxes

I sometimes wonder if people are collecting boxes or lighthouses. I have seen relatively rare retired LE Harbour Lights pieces sold for below retail price on e-Bay because they don't have their original box. I am often surprised to see a lighthouse sell for $60 when a lighthouse AND the original box would fetch $150 or more. I used to think that the box might add $5-$10 to the value of a lighthouse, but in some cases, it seems that the box is more valuable than the lighthouse itself. I have had the same experience in these forums. When a collector is desperate to find a particular piece, and I have offered one for sale, subtracting up to $20 for no box, the buyer is not interested in the least. So the question is, are these lighthouses ever displayed, or are they just kept in the original box?

I've asked myself that same question on more than one occasion. The box is nice to have (I've moved a couple of times, and the boxes make the lighthouses easier to transport), but it is definitely not necessary. When I first started collecting, I tossed the boxes in the garbage without a second thought. Now I have a wonderful collection of boxes in my basement (moving/storage purposes). I guess it depends on how badly someone wants a particular piece. I don't feel it adds that much to the value, but if I was looking to buy a HL, and had a choice between one without a box, and one with a box for $10 more, I'd buy the one with the box. If the one with the box cost $50 more then I'd probably look more at the light w/o the box. It just comes down to "what's your preference?"

The box thing is pretty standard with collectibles. I sold several toys to a classic toy store about 5 years ago. The ones in orignal boxes usually got another 50% or more value than ones without.

My wife hates it, but I keep boxes for everything.

Pierhead, I agree with you 100% about the boxes. I have a nice collection of boxes neatly stored in the garage, but, if it meant getting a piece for considerable less without the box I would jump at it in a second. Because I know that most people probably wouldn't feel this way I now have that nice box collection should I ever decide to sell any or part of MY personal collection.

Rich

I have some, not all, the boxes for my lights. THe light is what was important to me. If it came with a box, I saved it. If it didn't, I didn't lose any sleep over it. I even kept the foam in those that came with it. CRAZY!

Bert :p

We have kept all boxes , and when my next order comes in from my dealer,(5 LE's) I'll have two problems- where to display the lights, and where to store the boxes. I may have to come up with storage at work. I at this time do not expect to sell any but a couple duplicate pieces, but I did get one damaged once that didn't have original packing.

Whether a lighthouse has its box or paperwork is of little concern to me. My only concern is with the quality of the lighthouse and the fact that it is an original Harbour Light.

Different strokes for different folks.

imho

I guess the next thing we'll see on eBay is "Harbour Lights Boxes" with foam.

Well I'm very glad to hear that people are displaying their lighthouses and that they are of greater value than the box. Regarding Harbour Lights boxes on eBay--we are already there. On July 11, an original Harbour Lights "Brown Box" sold for $11.61 and two original blue boxes sold for $13.50. So if you get tired of dodging all the boxes in storage (I have a giant collection of them too), put them up for auction. Scott ;-)

If my memory serves me correctly, I have all but three original boxes for my HL LE's. I figure that's not bad considering I have all the LE's (except for Coquille) and doubles of a few.

Speaking of boxes, I'm happy to say that the boxes I've been receiving with my LE's have been in much better shape than in the past. My current dealer, Bayside Treasures in Toledo, takes great care in handling and packing my new HL's. My previous dealer's boxes looked like a field goal kicker used them to warm up. They had crushed corners, small tears, etc. Nothing really major but definitely makes them less than perfect. Thank God the HL's weren't damaged.

Boxes are a "pain" but a necessary evil. Keep them, and don't toss them.

Bob

Where do Harbour Lights collectors keep there
boxes if they do not have a garage or a basement?
I live in a condo and my walk-in closet is full of
boxes and more boxes! Any suggestions?

Where does a Harbour Lights Collector keep the boxes if he or she lives in a condo in Florida
and does not have a garage or basement in which to store the boxes?
Any suggestions?

You could always rent a storage space in one of those u store it places.

Or make friends with someone who lives ina house and has plenty of room. LOL

Alternately as a last resort you could take the foam forms out of the boxes and flatten them and store the foam in double or triple plastic bags and if you have a crawl space under the condo put them there or under the beds.

Or just assume you are never going to need the boxes and sell them on eBay.(Don't do this one)

There really is not a simple solution to the space problem.

Dennis

If you plan on selling your pieces at a later date, then by all means keep the boxes and foam insets for shipping your pieces. If you do not intend on selling any of your pieces, then discard the foam inserts and flatten the boxes out and this will take up a lot less storage area. Should you have to sell your pieces because of an unforeseen reason, then you can go to a shipping store and buy foam peanuts/plastic bags to pack the pieces in. The foam inserts are not what is valuable, the boxes are the important item. HL used to ship in peanuts at the beginning until they found foam prevented less breakage.

Rich

I also have struggled with the keep or toss box issue. Currently I keep all boxes, and inserts. As of late I have come to appreciate the earlier packing (with peanuts) in that you toss the peanuts and the boxes fold up very nicely and store easily in an nice rubbermaid tub. However, since they started shipping in molded foam I have had trouble storing the original box & foam inserts. I feel really good about being able to ship an HL (which I have never done), if I have foam packing, but they take up a lot of space. It would be so nice if I just chucked the foam, flattened the box, and stored them in a small footprint. The difference is a 10 X 10 X 4 foot crawl space area (foam inserts) to an estimated 6 X 3 X 2 foot area for folded boxes. My only logic at this point is that while I get to enjoy the collection now, it may mean for our heirs, should they decide to sell, an increase in value. However, if I find out the kids want to sell these, then they are out of the will. Bottom line, I wish I had some crystal ball that would tell me what the $ amount is down the line if you have the original box and packing.

We do not keep foam inserts from our HL's. Just the boxes. The most valuable lighthouses we own (Cape Hatteras 102R, Southeast Block, St. Augustine and St. Simons) were all purchased from a lady for $100 each! Did we care that she didn't have the boxes?

John & Mary

Aloha- I've have a 103 Harbour Lights Boxes displayed :p in 4 curio cabinets. At least once a month I take the boxes out , dust them and carefully place them back on the shelves . As for the lighthouses that were in the boxes I keep those under the bed. Give me a break with this box thing.

Beacon - do the boxes in your curio cabinets have the foam inserts or not??

I keep the boxes and I keep the inserts. I also keep a supply of styrofoam peanuts on hand. I feel the inserts are important. The new HL's are much safer in storage or shipping if they are in the original styrofoam packing. There are too many things that can be easily broken off the new HL's if they are not packed properly.

Bob

I found a 191 Grand Traverse for $25 last Saturday on a sidewalk 'junk' table at a strip mall's candle store. It was fine - the other two oldies found inside weren't quite as nice (or needed). No papers, or box - lost long ago in a move. They still had all of my wife's collectibles, the old Harmony Kingdom 'Treasure Jests', boxes - of course! Well, they are a good bit smaller...

I didn't mind adding that one to my collection. I stacked it's no-name box with the others.

John

It's nice to find a "hidden jewel" every once in awhile, box or no box. Congrats on a great find!

Bob

John.

All I can say is: Great find, great price, great lighthouse! WOW!

Bert

I agree with flacostie and others about keeping the boxes. Keeping the inserts and peanuts would be great to if it did not take up so much room. I remove the inserts and and fold the boxes for storage. Having the boxes have helped as I have had to start to sell my collection. Unfortunately the peanuts do not do as well as the foam inserts. I have packed those I have sold in peanuts and bubblewrap inside the original box and again inside the box that I am placing the HL box in and I have still lost several pieces due to delicate parts breaking off. I have almost gotten to the point that I am afraid to ship anything.

If you have any ideas let me know.

Hi Kay,

Regarding where to keep boxes if storage space is limited, such as in a condo. Well, if the box is from an older piece where peanuts were used instead of fitted styrofoam, I would discard the peanuts and fold the boxes and store them flattened in a nice chest. There are some really nice storage chests that are not too expensive or you can buy one of those trunks the kids use in college and place a table cloth over it and disguise it or get creative and decorate it yourself. Once the boxes are flattened, there would be room for the newer boxes with the foam, but probably only 15 or so.

Another thought is putting them in a large plastic bag, row by row, two deep and storing them under your bed.

Joanne