Previewed at the Atlanta Event, our on-the-spot reporter says she LOVES it.

Here's her photo of American Shoal as a 'tease' until the Harbour Lights one comes long. Any guesses on the edition size?

Perhaps like Hillsborozilla - 6,500? Probably a proportionally larger price. This should be a really impressive piece with all the skeletal work and the "built in" keepers quarters. Will be looking forward to it!

Dave

American Shoal is one HL I'm really looking forward to adding to my collection. Now when will we see Race Rock NY become a reality?

Bob

Saw this one, and really looking forward to getting it.

Rusty

6,500 Limited Edition is the word from Harbour Lights. Available late January. However the flag reads "10,000".

The first few thousand will have the little folder with stamp from the 1989 series.

One Artist's Proof was given away in a drawing; the winner was Jim Woolen of Duluth GA. Another even more unusual one was a 'white wear' version. This one has all the metal parts in place, but neither the metal or cast parts were painted. Martha won it -- but we don't have her last name.

Bill & Kim both had nice things to say for the North Georgia Beacon Brigade, the area Harbour Lights club who showed up in their blue shirts and made themselves helpful. "The Blue Brigade" was Kim's nickname for them.


Actual Size

[This message has been edited by engbrady (edited 10-12-99).]

Probably reasonable to assume that this one will be sold out to dealers before it's even shipped...i.e. for all practical purposes, it's already retired?

Here's a peek at the American Shoal - also courtesy of Derith Bennett



For those who wanted to see it in red. As I haven't seen the real one yet, I don't know the exact color.

[The one on the right will be the purple water version. (Just kidding)]



John asked me to work on the image. Using the skin tone of the hands, the basic color of HL water... over a reef and a couple of clues from people who have seen it, here is a new choice.

I suspect that in Derith's picture of the real lighthouse is more red, because it had been painted shortly before she shot the picture... correct me on this Derith if I am wrong but I seem to remember that being mentioned. The HL American Shoal pictures that were shot to refer to while designing the lighthouse were probably shot when it needed the paint job... Rusty Red

[This message has been edited by engbrady (edited 10-15-99).]

Um...I understand that the transfer of a photo to a web site might mar the colors a bit. I also understand that this may be an unfinished piece.

If not, this is one butt-ugly piece. For this we waited 9 years?

Derith, your thoughts?

Could someone who has actually seen the piece tell us the true color? Is it red? Or is it a "rust" color? Computer pictures can sometimes display colors that can be a few shades different than the actual piece.

Bob

Bob


Neither of the above.

More like a deep maroon to dark rust. The color of the American Shoal looked closest to the stamp that was shown previous.

Daniel

My Reliable Source says it's a "rusty-red".

Sorry folks, Derith in particular, but I have to agree with Bill on this one. But then I just don't care for this type of LH. Speaking of colors, Derith's photo sure looks like greenish water to me, and I know how excited some of you get over green water.

MOMBO

Since so many of you will be nice enough not to buy the Liberty piece - ensuring one for me, I won't buy this piece - ensuring it for one of you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this one just doesn't have it for me.

Joanne

I ordered this one on Friday, too. I like the real thing and have every expectation that I'll be pleased with this one, too.

[This message has been edited by LamarB (edited 10-17-99).]

I like it too and will be happy to add it to my shelf of Florida lights...only hope the water is the right shade of green!

If you see American Shoal with your naked eye, it looks just like the HL piece. The color is not red but a rustoleum color. I thought the piece looked very authentic when I saw it in Atlanta and I will have one on the FL light shelves in my curio. The piece is not a dramatic one, true, but then neither is the immediate area that the real one it is in.

I realize that "Spider Lights" are not a particular favorite with forum wackos, but all of them in the FL Keys have aided many a mariner. Seeing the keys and reading the history of each of those lights affords a good view at why they were used.

I didn't think the piece was "butt ugly", Bill. Maybe after you see it you will change your mind too. I do know that when friends come over to look at my collection, it is the spider lights that attract most questions.

Derith

I couldn't agree more Derith. IMO Fowey Rocks would be another excellent HL choice.

Here's a photo of the American Shoal item:

whoa - thats neat!

I am glad I waited to add my two cents to this thread (or else I would be here retracting my original thoughts based on the first three pictures upstairs)
This latest picture is fantastic ! I had to scroll up and down a few times just to make sure it was the same piece. The first color combinations orange w/ blue water, fire engine red w/ purple water and brown w/ green water just didn't do the trick, but this picture will aid in the quick sell out.

Mark

It looks great! Thanks for the photo, John! Did Paul do the photography?

Bob

That's better. Quite nice, actually.

Come on guys, thought you would have the faith by now that whatever HL makes, the quality would at least be there. Both this and SOL looks top of the line to me. Still debating on the SOL purchase, though.

In the words of some 'wacho' college basketball announcer "AWWWEsome BABBBBeee!"
I'm glad I waited for the real picture(thank you JC) before responding.

Keeping in mind that the actual pieces look even better in person than in the photos, I think I will be very pleased having this one in the collection.

-Todd

This is a definate add to my collection. Can't wait to get it home! Thanks John for the latest picture.
Dale

A definite WOW! But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, HL, shouldn't the water be green!??! I visited the Key West/Florida Straits area last February for a good week and not once did I see any blue water...don't make me have to buy two of these puppies!

Rock

I feel the same way as you about the water being blue on the American Shoal. It seems like Harbour Lights is stuck on the same shade of blue for all their water. However, I think turquoise would be a better color description. I live in Florida and I can tell you not all of the waters are blue. I have seen several beaches where the water is turquoise. Pensacola Beach and a beach at the mouth of the St Johns River are two that I can remember. The pictures that I have seen of the Key West and the American Shoal have a Light Greenish cast (Turquoise) with dark green spots. Many the beaches in Florida have white sand, which creates the light colored turquoise water. The dark splotches are from algae patches. I think a lot more could have been done with the water. Nevertheless, definitely the rest of American Shoal is fantastic.

Daniel

I agree - it's a wow! Thanks for the great photo, John. In looking back at Derith's photo it does seem that the water directly around the light is aqua, but it does become a darker blue as the water deepens. PLEASE, no more green and blue water editions of the same light!

Barb

It is sooo comforting to see that most of the uncertain Wackos have seen the light about purchasing HL's American Shoal. All of you have contacted your dealer, right?

Derith

For some real interesting information about the color of our oceans, give this link a try:

http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS/LIVING_OCEAN/LIVING_OCEAN.html

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

I think the piece is great and have tried to order it, but my dealer tells me that they can't because they have no record of it and they need a product code. Told me I would have to come back. Has this HL been assigned a product code yet? Do I just have to wait?
Jim

Jim

Find a dealer who will take your order w/out requiring a product code - this should not be difficult. I often hear about pieces before my dealer does (mostly thanks to these forums) and she gladly reserves a piece in my name, typically this comes out of her auto-ship allotment. Its good to establish a relationship with a dealer who will work with you and they'll get a long term customer. Most dealers love advance orders. The trick is to always follow-up on your commitment when the piece arrives.
__
/im
[This message has been edited by JTimothyA (edited 10-20-99).]

An Artist after my own heart.

http://www.bansemer.com/fl-lighthouses/american-shoal-lighthouse.htm

Note the color of the water.

Daniel,

That is a great painting of American Shoals, and the water sure is green!! The accompanying article was really interesting as well. Thanks for putting this link on the Forums.

Barb

Hi Daniel,

Glad to know that others know and own Roger Bansemer's book. It is one of the most well done ones I have ever seen and so reader friendly. Our HL group in the Tampa Bay area has been invited to have one of our meetings in his studio. We are all looking forward to it.

Derith

My local HL dealer was unaware of both AMERICAN SHOALS and LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD. He contacted his distributor who also was in the dark regarding these two forthcoming pieces.

I printed out the forum photos illustrating these two pieces, and when my dealer saw these he then took my order, added his own personal one, and doubled his autoship amounts from Harbour Lights.

I wonder if he's an astute businessman or perhaps, a wacko like me?

His wife, who actually owns and runs the store, and who has been in the collectible business for 28 years, thinks these two will be hot sellers.

It'll be interesting to wait and see.



------------------
Bob Steinbrunn
Nautical Research Guild

WOW! After seeing the early pics on this,I was very not impressed.The latest John that you have shown...WOW..it will be part of my collection as soon as its released!Thanks for the pic!
Bob

All of this fuss over color ...... ok I understand but as they say it's all in the details and you can't beat HL on the details.
Even when they make a small bobble no other has them beat .

Lonnie

Hi Derith

I don’t own the Bansemer's Book of Florida Light Houses, but plan on purchasing one in the near future. I have been able to view many of his works through the New Internet link to lighthouses At the Harbour Lights web page.

216.46.163.98/links/index.htm

Daniel




[This message has been edited by Daniel (edited 10-21-99).]

The edition size for American Shoal will be 6,500. It should sell as quickly as did Hillsboro Inlet.

Better give your dealer a call to make sure they will get one for you.

Thanks for that info, John. I have a standing order for one of every LE and OE with my dealer. I will follow up with a phone call just in case. I don't want to miss out on American Shoals. It looks like a real winner!

Bob