Imagine that you're looking at a 'sand sculpture' of the 2008 Collector Forums' exclusive.

This is the wax sculpture prepared by the artist for Harry's approval. Harry has asked us for our input and both the Work Team and the CF members are welcome to post their comments. The metal work is not on this piece because it is made after the castings are made from this wax model.

Harry would like the OK from the Work Team by Monday. Obviously Harbour Lights is fast-tracking this piece for us.



Click here to view a larger image size in a new window

Yes, folks, WI is not abbreviated correctly. It has already been fixed.

The detail looks very good. However, I am less than thrilled about how the flag looks. I believe it will need some tuning to improve its appearance.

The detail on the wax model looks great! My only criticism would be:
1- The flag could be a little smaller.
2- The pier could be a little longer.

But I'd be happy with it the way it is.

Thanks for the pics !!!

It looks like it is off to a Great start.. I agree with you, Dave on the flag... It is going to be a fantastic HL Lighthouse!!

I think the piece overall looks great, but, the flag is way too big in my opinion. I like the shape of the flag but it stands out too much.

I agree with the "flag size" comments. However I would display this piece with the ladder sifde forward, so the flag size is of minimal concern to me. The piece itself looks great. Can't wait to place my order.

Bill

Yes, shrink the flag...and it could use about 1/2 as much pier and twice the amount of lake water...

Well Folks,

The piece is going to look out-of-this-world. I'm quite certain that it will be one of my all-time favorites.

However, and I don't mean to insult the artist -- but the flag is too large. It almost overshadows the lighthouse. It would be like seeing someone trying to wear a Harbour Lights pin the size of a dinner plate.

bobo

The piece looks fantastic! I especially like the top view showing all the ridge lines in the roof areas. The only thing I don't like is the size and shape of the flag. I feel it would behoove the sculptor to use the traditional shaped flag that Harbour Lights has been using since it began making lighthouse replicas in 1991. Using any other shape other than the original will make this piece seem less like a HL.

There should be plenty of room on the bottom sticker to note that the piece is a Collector Forums Exclusive.

It seems like we are ahead of schedule and doing great with our second CF Exclusive. Thank you Harbour Lights, for making our dream possible.

Bob

I actually like the shape of the flag as it emulates the shape of the lighthouse from above.. I would like it more if it was closer to the shape of the roof from above and just a touch smaller..

Totally agree. The second thing I thought was, "that's not a flag, that's a plaque. Possibly life size."

The first thing, being, of course, that I think it otherwise looks great. Maybe the pier could be tuned down a bit, though I kind of like the big-square-block-geometric thing. Square pier, oval lighthouse, round tower...

I think the pier height is ok. It could have the water level a little higher.

What I'd like to see maybe is an inch more of horizontal pier. It would give you a better feel for the length of the pier.

Other then my original comment about the flag being too big, it's a great looking piece.

Can't wait to own at least one.

Both Bob M. and Paul make great points about the flag. My immediate reaction was that it should look like the other HL flags. The new look is good but I agree with Greg that it's more of a plaque. I like it but do feel that it's a little overpowering as it is. Personally, I like more water. Super terrific shots; thanks for giving us a way to imagine the actual size. All the different geometric shapes make this piece very stunning. Can't wait to have it on display!

I to agree that the flag just looks out of place.I also like the idea of increasing the size of the pier. We to can't wait to order ours.

It looks great and I'm sure those ideas here will be considered. Just a question...I was thinking that it would sound better if it said "Collector's Forum" instead of "Collector Forums" Truly I will order it no matter which way it turns out. Thanks and a hats off to all of you that worked on this one.

The first drawing Harry sent had it reading "Lighthouse Keepers".

"Collector Forums" has been the name of this gathering place since day one.

I wonder if the 'plaque' is more of a recognition of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the CF? The width of the oval shape is just over 1" on the sculpture as far as I can calculate.

OR Just maybe HL is going to go a new route with 'flags' starting in 2008. Don't know.

This one looks very much like the last Reunion piece w/o all the outer buildings. I always thought that was very unique. This should be a great piece!Will the colors be different?

Flag is way to BIG!
Bob

I really love this piece. The detail on the roof is spectacular. With regard to the flag....it made sense to me that the flag had to be made larger to accommodate the additional verbiage. If the flag was made smaller, either the text of the verbiage would need to be smaller, or smushed (technical term ) together. I wouldn't want to see it too smushed and if font is smaller would you be able to read it?

I'll be buying several regardless

It looks like this will be a real winner. My thought on the flag is it should mirror what was done on the first forum exclusive. Use the bottom stamp to add extra information if needed.

Great job to everyone involved.

I think this piece looks great. Harry and everyone at Harbour Lights are doing a great job.

Strikes me the only ones that are accepting the changes are us girls--brings back memories of 8th grade dance classes with the boys on one side of the room, the girls on the other side. The size and lettering on the flag look great to me and, as someone else said (female, I think), the flags are placed in the back of the piece and don't show anyway.

Harry's done a super job and included all that we initially asked for. I doublechecked on how this site spell its name, thinking Collector Forums was incorrect. It's not and should remain as is.

Sandy

Then there was us boys that would not even go to the dance.

This is a "typical work of art" by Harry. He's simply the best! It'll be a great addition to our collection.
Judy

I like this piece very much. The roof detail as has been said is terrific. Several have commented about the length of the pier, remember there are proportion formulas that a time tested and true for athetic beauty and artists know these. These things I leave up to the arist. The "Plaq could be a smidge smaller but the test must be readable. Overall, I think it will make a wonderful addition to my collection and offer my approval for what its worth.

As I recall, the girls in my 8th grade class were overly opinionated back then and also wrong more than half the time.

Just playing Sandy. Not wanting to start up another debate of who's better, "Boys vrs Girls".

I do think the flag should be smaller and the added text should be on the bottom sticker.

All said.... it's a nice piece and I can't wait to get mine.
Thanks for the crew for doing all the leg work on this.

Well that large oval flag was on the drawings that were posted earlier but no one commented on it then. Maybe it stands out more on the wax model? It does seem a bit large for a piece that's not going to be all that big. Initially I thought the wording of Collector Forums Special Release sounded a bit odd but maybe because it's to be offered to the masses initially it's more appropriate than Collector Forums Exclusive? I was thinking Rock was right on the amount of water vs. pier but when you look at Paul's previously posted photos the water was so calm it's like there wasn't water. If the wind got up wouldn't the most water be at the front? Maybe it would look better with more water there and less on the sides, like a big wave just hit it. The short, even, curly water on the sculpture isn't doing much for me. Kind of hard to tell for sure how the piece will look when it's not painted. Overall it's nice.

Ah, Medicman--but can you dance?!

Sandy

When I mentioned "Special Release" I was thinking "Special Edition".

The words and letters are incised into the wax. Some sculptors simply use a knife edge to create them. Others have created a set of letters from old paint brush Ferules or perhaps bought a set of metal stamping dies to have a more 'finished' look to the lettering.

The simplest approach would be simply the name and the edition size on the 'flag' and let the bottom label carry whatever else is needed including the HL#.

If this new format is something HL is going to introduce for all 2008 releases, then we should go with that format. If not, then the simplest is fine with me.

It will take some artist time to redo this. Since there are no other changes anticipated in the mold so far, we don't want to slow the project down and lose our slot in the production run.

This all requires some consultation with Harry. I'll give him a call Monday and see what he says. I'll pass that on to you all.

From the comments here, I'd say running the oval as is (except correcting the "WT" state) won't be a deal-breaker for anyone who has seen it so far.

Thanks for all the comments. This is a collaborative effort. Thanks again to the work team and to Harry, Don & Tony.

Anyone spot the seahorse yet?

There are two silver balls on one side of the model. At the "seam" separating two of the granite blocks that form the base, the left-facing seahorse head and neck are visible. She is centered on that crack above the wave--first picture in the second row of the enlarged set .

Sandy

Sandy, I think you got it! Sure does look like a seahorse to me.....

I like the looks of this piece overall. The roof detail is exquisite!
I'm not sure about the water...I like Mombo's suggestion. But, maybe just varying the size of the waves along the sides would help. Right now they are all pretty much the same. Or a wave here and there, that's a little "wilder".
Can't wait to order!!!
Looking forward to seeing a painted proof.
Thanks Harry and Harbour Lights...job quite well done!

I talked with Harry yesterday:

1. The oval plaque was his idea as a way of celebrating this special piece for the CF. It is not something that is being instituted in future HLs.

2. The end of the piece where the oval is placed is the 'cut off' of the pier end of the lighthouse. We discussed making this end appear kind of 'broken off' - a rougher texture like broken concrete. The oval will be smooth for contrast and both the oval and the end of the piece will have the same paint color.

3. The wording will change to 4 lines:

Collector Forums
Exclusive
Wisconsin Point WI
# / 500 (c) 2008

The lettering will be done in a more precise way, not as if carved with an Xacto knife blade.

Harry will have a photo of the redone area in a week or so.

We're still on target for our timetable and Harry will have a better idea of delivery when he has the paint samples - certainly by the end of this year.

... just returned from Germany and have a little time to browse.

First time I saw the wax model and I am IMPRESSED ... like it a lot. But I do agree, the flag, plaque - whatever - is to big.

I see that Sandy was all over this...the seahorse on this one? I found it! It's pretty obvious...
Nice find Sandy!

Any updates to report, John? Time is flying and I'm sure there are many collectors ready to place their orders for this wonderful piece. I know I'm ready to order!

Bob

I spoke with Harry on the 24th and he said the paint sample had not yet arrived from the source.

Thanks for the update, John. I feel there are many collectors just waiting to see the finished product (sample), and place their orders. I know I feel that way.

Bob

Looking forward to seeing the finished product and ordering mine!

That should be a beautiful piece!
Kindly let me know when it becomes available.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Don

Thanks for the updates! Can't wait to get this piece. I got a bit of a bonus from the school district this year - for our successful test results for the 2006-2007 school year - so I actually have the money! Unfortunately, it didn't come early enough so I could take the Founders' Collection offer.

I'm looking forward to this. Pretty soon I'll find my way out from under my pile of Christmas bills and have money again.

I'm ready to order it.

Are things still on for placing orders tomorrow? Where will the order form be listed?

We are debugging the order form today. It will be opened up about midnight ET.

Dave or I will post a link to it from the CF - probably in a new thread.

Use the online order form whether you want to pay through PayPal or Money Order/Check. That will alert Dave of your order by email. After you submit the 'order', you'll see the payment options.

Sounds good to me, JC! My initial order will be for two. One for display, the other to put away for resale some day.

Bob

I'm ready to order !!!

What better way to start off the new year !!!

Hip Hip Hooray...an excellent way to start New Year's Day!!!

Have you heard anymore on the picture of the finished product?

I will be waiting right here!! Can't seem to find a better way to greet the New Year. My little dog has a respiratory infection, so I went to Mass this evening and then came home to nurse her and snuggle up with one of the many good books my kids gave me for Christmas. I will have a good wine to cheer the New Year - didn't even think about getting some bubbly - doggone it!

I spoke with Harry on the 31st and he's surprised he hasn't received photos of it yet. We'll just have to wait a bit longer. Harry will ship the paint sample to Paul for photography as soon as he gets it.

Posting this query here to, hopefully, get an answer. . . .

Will give Tony a call and ask. I don't think it was Harry's call.

John