Displaying Your Thumbnail Collection

Now that there are 25 Thumbnails by Harbour Lights, I was looking for some way to display them as a group and found a 10x10" Shadow Box frame at Michaels (UPC 15734 09483). (Need to find the rest of mine.)

Right now I've set it up as a table-top. It has a hinged top (front) and easily holds 25 in 5 rows of 5 each. I think it would hold as many as 36 in a 6 x 6 array.

The back of the Shadow Box has hooks for wall hanging and an easel back. However, I'd have to figure out some way to add "shelves" I think some 1/4" foam core would work for a wall display. Might be better to use clear plastic for shelves, but I'm not talented with working with that stuff.

The cover is held closed by magnets.

I like this idea! I have the thumbnails from the '01 reunion (gift from a forum member), and I want to try and get the rest. I figure I can't afford to really collect LEs, but I like the non-LE stuff, too (if not even more).

I love shadow boxes - I use them to display my Olympic pin collection (using 5 8x10 boxes with ring coloured backgrounds in applicable formation). I like the idea of doing one for thumbnails.

That is a great idea for displaying them John.
I wish I had thought of it.

Feel free to use it, Randall. No charge.

I checked Michael's Web Site and don't see this particular Shadow Box. You may need to visit the store. Take the UPC# with you.

I did have all the thumbnails up to the end of the Baltimore Reunion then I said to myself, "Bob, you don't display these little treasures so why keep them just to have them in storage." Needless to say, the thumbnails went to people who would enjoy them rather than just sitting in my stockroom.

I sold most of my GLOW's to make room for more LE's in the storage area. Even though the GLOW's were well done, it was time for them to go. Now I only keep LE's, AB's, Christmas ornies, and the lenses. Trust me, that is enough!

Bob

Very good idea John. Someone on the forums should be able to come up with some idea of how to get shelves in that case. I agree that it makes a perfect way of displaying them. I only have one or two so I won' be rushing off to buy a case, at least not this week.

Bert

If you have tools, you could build shelves.

Maybe take some 1/4" wood and cut it to size for shelves. Then cut grooves in the sides of the box to slide them into. Slide, add lighthouses, and voila!

The only problem might be making the grooves, especially if you don't have the right tools. I'll ask my dad about it; he's handy with woodwork. I have to wait though - I'm the only person up at 5:30! (I wondered why these Fox News programmes looked familiar....I need to fix my cable so I can get local news on NBC!)

Did you see the shadow box that the Gateway Club raffled off as the Mystery Prize at the Reunion? It used doll furniture to display the thumbnails and the patch was a picture on the wall. It looked like a livingroom. It was very cute and a nice way to display the thumbnails!

The tool you're looking for is a 'router', Greg.

Sandy emailed me some detailed instructions. I do have a Dremel tool (which she recommended). Not on a high priority list right now. But thanks for the input and ideas everyone.

A lot of great ideas. NOw to se the end results when done.

Bert

Yeah...that's what I was thinking....just didn't think of a router outright. (I do know what they are.)

I love this idea - the shadowbox to display these! Michaels comes in handy for so many things. My local store, seeing that there is an interest in lighthouse stuff -duh- has even added a special display devoted to nautical.

I also have a question? If we were to place a monetary value on the thumbnails, what do you feel that should be? Maybe that question belongs in another thread?

Judy

Another display idea is what the Gateway Club used for the Mystery Raffle at the Reunion.

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000287

I've been a member forever but just read everybody else's posts. So it's time to start participating. Could you please tell me which thumbnails I'm missing? I have the Maryland and Michigan ones and Bill gave me SE Block and Assateague. John, I think your idea is great! When I got back from Michigan, I realized it was time to get something bigger for my thumbnail display. Thanks for your help!

Grace, this page from HL's web site will give you the start of a list of thumbnails . Obviously missing are the ones from Mackinac as well as the signing event thumbs for 2003-2005. (St. Clair Range, Three Sisters, and Fourteen Foot Bank).

Thanks, Dave. I wasn't able to get to the list from the Archives but did when I clicked on your link. Actually, you provided me with what I really needed; I knew nothing about the 3 thumbnails from 2003-2005.

I had a temporary memory lapse. (Some might call it a senior moment - not I!) I totally forgot that Bill gave me a thumbnail at the last signing. I checked and it is Three Sisters. He gave my daughter the same one - she has no interest and has given it to me. So, I can trade with someone who has one I need. Dave, you always have the latest info. Do you know how many thumbnails were made for the 2003-2005 signings? And what are their HL numbers? Thanks!

Well, John, I was going to follow your advice about displaying thumbnails but I found something that is going to work equally well for me. You guys are so much more experienced with displays that you are probably well acquainted with this - a thimble dome.

Since I have no interest in thimbles, I had never seen one of these. It is about 8" high, including the woodlike base and glass dome. The dome is about 12¼" round. It holds a three tiered plexiglass stand with 7 nubs on each tier (small bumps which hold each thimble). I flipped the stand over so that the nubs face down. I placed a thumbnail on each of the visible nub bases, effectively covering the nubs. Nineteen are in place now, so I have two spaces on the bottom tier and the middle of the top tier open. I may have found someone who wants to sell the three '98 thumbnails so, hopefully, I will fill the three spaces soon. A smaller circle of about 4 - 5 lights can be set up behind each current circle of 7, so I have room for the 3 '97 thumbnails which I still need and any future ones HL may issue. I will have to post a picture so you can check it out.

Who's posting the odds on Grace making SuperWACKO by Christmas? (500 posts)

We so love you participating Grace! Honest. It's nice to have an old enthusiastic member (old because you joined in 2001.)

Uh-oh, is that a dare, John?! Let's see 47 days....

That is only 8.085 posts a day. A very doable number. I think you should take the challenge. And this from a person that never thought she would ever make WACKO.

Grace, my wife Susan displays some of her thumbnails in a small display case similar to what you have found. It is actually an antique piece, 6 sided glass and revolves. Its about 8" tall with 3 glass shelves. She also displays some minitaute baskets in it.

So you think it's doable? Sounds like an awful lot to me. But it's tough not to take a challenge when one presents itself. Tonight I can't think logically, though. My A/C went out a couple of hours ago - second time in a week. This means it has to be the compressor. John and Rich, you can appreciate what it's like to be without A/C.

Dave, tell Susan I'm jealous. Not only does it sound like a beautiful piece but it revolves !

It does sound like a dare. GO FOR IT.

I'm too competitive not to try, Fran.

Grace, have you located the thumbnails you were missing? Would love to see a photo of your display.

And go for that dare!

Judy

As soon as I can get Justine (the only one of my three daughters who lives in Houston) to take a picture with her digital camera, I will post it. Partially, Judy. Within a matter of days of posting, I managed to buy, swap, and receive as a gift all except the three '97's - Cape Hatteras, St. Simons and Sandy Hook. The members of the forums are fantastic and very generous people! I have a long way to go to SuperWacko but I'm trying!

Grace - You are ahead of schedule. Right now you will need to average 7.7 posts a day to make SUPER WACKO by Christmas Day and 6.8 posts a day to make SUPER WACKO by New Years Day. Your original goal was 8.8 posts a day to make it by Christmas. I'm betting that you will do it by Christmas Day.

Rich, I look at it this way, there are big holidays coming up. If I don't get ahead of the game now, I may not make it. Lots of us will be tied up with family and trips and so forth and there may not be much chatting going on here. It would be terribly embarrassing not to reach the goal set for me - and I embarrass s-o-o-o easily!!

Baltimore Reunion part numbers are found here .

To put your signing event thumbnails in oder:
2003: St. Clair Channel
2004: Three Sisters
2005: Fourteen Foot Bank

Hereford Inlet thumb was issued in 2001/2002 - came in with the Society Hooper Strait as I recall.

Thank you, sir, I knew I could count on you for at least part of this information.

With Dave's help, I was able to make some changes in the list of thumbnails. Are these the only ones issued? Is there a chance there is a Minot's Ledge thumbnail? I have never heard of one but the question has been asked. Thanks!

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I got your answer from HL on the HL646 issue..


quote:
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We changed the item # for the Craighill Lower to HL646A when we realized we had duplicated the HL646 # with Minot’s Ledge. It made it simpler because the thumbnails aren’t orderable.
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So Minot's Ledge is HL646 (the lighted piece)
and Craighill Lower Thumbnail is HL646A

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Another forum member sent this information which originated with Paul. I will keep making corrections as I get them in case anyone else needs information about their thumbnail collection.

Question for John! I was given the thumbnail that you have in a row all by itself on the left side of your first picture. I haven't been able to figure out which one it is. Can you help?

Bert, I would say it is the St. Clair thumb from 2003. In his display the other lights are:

top row: White Shoal (easiest of all to identify!), Round Island, Old Mac, Waugoshance, Spectacle Reef
middle row: 3 Sisters (2004 signing), Poe Reef, 14 Foot Shoal, St. Helena, Grays Reef

With minots Ledge that makes 26. Is that correct? They went all out for 2005 with 9.

Fran, I'm still waiting for someone to pick up on that. My understanding is that there is not a Minot's Ledge thumbnail. HL646 is not a thumbnail. HL646a is a thumbnail. Dave, help! I may have to send an email to someone directly.

Thank you Dave. I've had it for a while but had no idea what it was. Now I know!

This is the first I ever heard of a Minot's thumbnail. Don't think one exists, I think the confusion is that HL goofed and doubled up on a product number as Grace noted. HL 646 is the Minot's special piece, the one with the lightup wave.

Grace has all the thumbnails listed as far as I know, but there are others far more knowledgeable than I.

The nine thumbnails for the Reunion were my choice.

Thanks, Dave - great choices!! I have confirmed that the HL646 is the Minot's Ledge lighted piece. So there is not a Minot's Ledge thumbnail. The ones listed above are the only thumbnails issued to date. If anyone can fill in the HL numbers, please let me know. Won't we all be happy when HL finally updates their product info?!

So if I am reading this correctly we still need the HL number for two thumbnails..

2004 - Three Sisters Thumbnail
2005 - Fourteen Foot Bank Thumbnail

HL669 and HL670 are possibilities since I have nothing listed for them in my inventory list..

Thanks for bringing this up again, Paul. I was afraid I'd never get an answer. If anyone is going to have the most accurate info, it's got to be you or a couple of other folks and no one else has come up with anything. I will edit the list and wait for protests - I'm sure there won't be any.

After they get settled after the move we should be able to get the last two numbers confirmed..

I talked to Kathy at the new home office and she said she would try and get us the HL numbers when she gets a spare moment...

She also said she is enjoying the snow that arrived right after she did in Wells..

Big change for Kathy. I would enjoy such a change in climate and don't tell me about the snow!!! Not until you have experienced a hurricane. Thanks for following up on this, Paul.

I have the answer from Harry on the last two thumbnails...

Three Sisters Thumbnails HL668 THMB
14 ft Bank Thumbnail HL777 THUMB

Ok, I got the answer from Harry the numbers for these thumbnails include the letters after..

HL668 THMB and HL777 THUMB

I am going to check with Harry but I suspect he meant to type HL677 THUMB for the Seven Foot Bank Thumbnail not HL777 THUMB since they just added THMB to the number HL668 for the Three Sisters thumbnail...

I am listing the Seven Foot Bank Thumbnail HL677 THUMB in my inventory until I hear back from Harry..

Makes sense, Paul. Thanks!

Bringing this back up for Claire to peruse. Hope this helps!

As you can see the pattern evolving here, HL has been making a thumbnail for the store event pieces that last few years - sometimes it's part of the store event piece (like ONE of the THREE Sisters or ONE of the St. Clair Channel Lights) and adding the "THUMB" designation to the number of the Store event piece.

I can confirm there is an HL693 THUMB in the works to go with HL693 El Morro PR. Since Bill has only 15 store appearances scheduled this year + 2 more by Nancy and Kim, this may be harder to come by for the serious collector.

We all know that Bill likes to give these out to kids - not adults. So if you don't have kids to take along, perhaps you can borrow a half-dozen of your neighbors kids and exchange a Happy Meal for their thumbnails after the event. (Just kidding, honest.)

Oh, yeah, real clever, John. Or, since there are never a lot to be given away, they'll all go to kids who will throw them in the bin with all the other toys!

Good to know there is another one in the works - now how to get one!

Oooh, I'll have to go to a signing and work my powers of 16-ness to get one.

I'll have to hide my Wacko Badge (gasp), though...can't let on that it's an inside op.

Greg, perhaps you could bring several changes of clothes and get some for us adults (ha-ha).

Yeah, Greg, remember your CF friends!!

Of course I'll think of you guys...I'll send my little brother in on recon...and bribe innocent children off the street with Oreos.

Love those Double Stuff Oreos, but have to be careful not to eat too many too often.

I thought I would get this thread back on the original topic of "Displaying Your Thumbnail Collection" Here's how they are displayed at the Midwest Harbour Lights Museum except of course not against the clouds normally...



Thumbnails own the top shelf while their bigger brother and sister Spyglass Lighthouses have the two lower shelves of their display cabinet..

This topic is getting a bit over our usual number of posts, so I will close it and continue our discussion at:
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000221