How did you first hear about HL...and what was your first model? How many have you collected, so far?
(its always enjoyable to read what others have to say about "getting started".)


[This message has been edited by Brent (edited 03-06-2000).]

This newbie started his HL relationship this past Christmas holiday season. While on vacation with friends on SeaBrook Island near Charleston SC decided to drive to Hunting Island SC for a look at the lighthouse and spend some beach time.

This very lovely restored light and grounds was so well done that I decided to buy the HL replica right there at the National Park gift store. (along with T-shirts, mugs etc)

I was hooked!! The detail on the HL replica was so striking.
While I had visited some other lights in Nova Scotia...this was "love at first sight" in the gift department.

Many of you know the rest of the story....Magazine subscription followed, then visits to the local dealers, joined the HL Collectors Society and then I discovered the web site, chat rooms and forums....

It is a wonderful sickness....

I am looking forward to this summer more than any in the recent past as this will be the first opportunity since Christmas to get to some lights....

ebay....wish I had never discovered the site for HL resale...

good topic Brent...

now to hear from many others.

Terry

Brent, I work in the marine field and had a few nautical knick knacks around the house including two dozen Danbury Mint LH's. I was at a store that had a HL Marblehead LE which was not included in the Danbury collection, I bought it and the rest is history. I now have about 40 of each. HL's on the top shelves and Danbury's on the bottom.

Brent, It all started with a well intentioned gift from my brother-in-law of HL Wind Point (1995). My husband and I go to Racine, WI every year to visit and I spend a couple of hours each visit just sitting on the beach under the lighthouse. Now after we got the WI lighthouse I told my husband I would like a lighthouse from my home state Connecticut. Well at the time the only CT HL lighthouse he could find was a collectors piece, so he registered me in the HL Collectors club and I got Stonington Harbor (1996). Then we got serious about collecting and I now have all HL/LE but 5, all the Christmas pieces, all the collectors pieces, all the event pieces, the 2 spy glass series, keepers and friends, and on, and on.... . This is such a wonderful addiction.

Now I just need to get out and see the real thing.

KYKEEPER - Pat

I had visited several LH's in Maine over the last 3-4 years, but until i went to Hilton Head last May I had no great interest in LH's or even knew what Harbour Lights was. I was surfing the net and went to a Gift shop called Someone Special and they had several different companies LH replicas. I was impressed immediately by the quality of the HL LH's. They were head and shoulders above the others. I purchased Sea Pines GLOW and went literaly Wacko from there. I now have 32 LE's, 7 Glow's/ Signature Series, 14 Collector's Society Pieces, 2 Spyglass Sets, 1 Keeper & Friends Set, 2 Legacy Lights, 2 Bob Younger Memorial Trees, 5 Christmas Pieces and 20 Christmas Ornaments. Depending on how you count them I have 85-107 items.I have about 6-7 in the pipeline either enroute from ebay/ marketplace purchases or on order to be delivered ASAP. I have also purchased numerous pins, button, brochures and other memorbilia. I'm setting up a display room- my son moved out just at the right time. I've put my birthday order in for any of the Little Light Of Mine that people want to get me. I told you, a true Wacko. oh, also I have with my wife visited 45 LH's this past year (since May 99) and we are planning a trip to CA in May where we hope to go from San Diego (Old/ New Point Loma) to Crescent City , CA. (St George's Reef).I also have the magazine subscription and have joined the NJLHS- meeting next week. Dennis

[This message has been edited by wheland (edited 03-06-2000).]

Hi Brent -
I started about 5 years ago when I saw the first version of Old Mackinaw(MI) Light in a card shop. I grew up in Mi and had been to the light several times. As I was then living in FL, seeing this piece brought a bit of home into my life. I then started looking in that store for other HL items from MI. Another card shop in the same mall also carried HLs and so began my addiction.

I have just over 60 HLs which includes society pieces, special event pieces and Christmas/Winter pieces and ornaments.

I have returned to MI. and now collect mostly Great Lakes lights. However I do have some lights from other places if they just happen to touch me.

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Jim

Dr. Who ?

Old Mackinaw & Cape Hatteras were my first two....in '92. I didn't buy another one 'till mid-'95....that's when the "bug" really hit me.....'haven't been the same since.

I bought Southeast Light, Block Island in the summer of '94. I knew nothing of HLs at that time. I just liked what I saw. Now I have all but four....and looking for more....at the HL store.

Bob

Going back in the archives.....

Here are some old threads along the same line:
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum1/HTML/000495.html

-Todd

Hey Brent,
Do you have the original Hatteras?

Hi Bob M,
What four are you missing?

My inquiring mind wants to know.
Derith

I bought a Hillsboro as a wedding gift. When the salesperson went to get the box, they came back with a second one to see which one I wanted.

Surprised that they had two, I bought the second one for myself as a long overdue "treat". That was how it started for me. My will power deteriorated after that.

....to answer your question, Nana....no, I've got the revised edition (#102) which was made in Canada. Its production number is 1437/5500. "love those lightning rods"

[This message has been edited by Brent (edited 03-08-2000).]

I found out about HL's through ebay. I did a search for lighthouse and there was a HL lighthouse listed. My first actual piece bought was a signed Roosevelt Island from Karen and Michael Power. But before I was able to actually able to see it in person, I saw an Alcatraz GLOW at a collectibles store. I found it truly amazing and I've been absolutely hooked since then. It's been almost one year and I just received my 77th sculpture last night. I'd say that's hooked!

Joanne

Yea, Joanne....I'd say thats "hooked"!

I bought my first piece on Valentines Day in San Francisco last year. Alcatraz of course. Now just over a year later I have 54 in my curio, the 5 great lakes stamp series on their way and the 5 Lady Lightkeepers on lay-a-way to be picked up when my tax return comes in.that's 64 total. (and ten entries in the registration contest and a drained bank account) Dale

Gee, Dale....54 in one year? That's amazing!! Its folk like you that keeps that smile on B.Y's face..... I only managed to pick up a dozen in '99.

I know I've done this before, but always glad to make another post. My first Hl was Bodie Island Brent. My Grandmother who had purchased some of the Danbury Mint Lighthouses, recieved a Catalog from the Lighthouse Depot. When she saw the HL Bodie Island, she showed it to my mother, to find out if that was the one we had lived near when I was a kid. Well my Mother liked it and bought it for me for Christmas of '98. One year and 3 months later My next Hl will be my 90th.


Ok it's about 5 hours later and I now have 90 HL.



[This message has been edited by Weasel58 (edited 03-11-2000).]

First lighthouse - HL 102 Cape Hatteras, NC #1588. Received the lighthouse from my wife in 1993. What a great wife and gift and the start of my collection.

Hey Weasel....did I read that correctly? 90 in 15 months? Thats got to be some kind of record!! I wonder what the "average" HL enthusiast acquires in a given year? Would you guess 10-12? It would be interesting to know.......

I don't think it's any kind of record Brent. If I've read someother people's posts right, some people have reached the hundred mark in about a year. Lets see looking at other posts in this thread...


Wehland has 85-105 since May 99 according to his post.
Joanne has 77 in one year, according to her post.
Dale Larence has 54 in just over a year.

I'm sure that my level of purchasing is going to slack off. I only have about 10 more that are currently out there that I want, But just as soon as I get them Younger and Comp. will release another batch. Which will be with me!!

I saw my first lighthouse in Sep. 1998. It was Pt. Reyes in California. Thought it was great fun. I didn't plan on seeing it. But, while on a flight to San Francisco to meet my fiance' then who is now my husband, the gentleman who sat next to me told me to go to Pt. Reyes. We had a great time there. I have just recently gotten in to Harbour Lights. My husband got me a membership for Christmas. I already have six with a seventh one on the way. I have it orered from my local dealer.
Beth

In the beginning, there was a trip to the lighthouse in Cape May, NJ. Although we didn't climb the light due to the heat that day, I was totally fascinated by the LH and the surrounding state park. My kids loved it too- I think they were more disappointed in not being able to climb it than I was! For several months after the trip, I admired the replica Cape May at a local dealer. After about 7 months, I finally gave in and purchased Cape May. That was April 1999. The illness had begun. I am happy to say that the prognosis is poor- I now own 20 of these wonderful products and have no plans to stop. I am always stashing away some of my allowance so I can buy "just one more" of these great lights. I wam a pharmacist and to me, these very warning signs sound like an addictive behavior. I sure hope that I have no cure in the pharmacy for this addiction!
Welcome to the club!

Yea Chris, all the "signs" of addictive behavior are there ....but....you're in "good company", here. This is your support-group

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Brent

Hi Brent:

I started collecting HL's in June of last year. I was in Fenick Island DE and found a shop that sold lights. As with everyone else, I loved the detail and look of the HL's. I purchased the Fenwick Isle and haven't stopped yet. I'm still waiting for my American Shoal to show up. It'a been a great trip so far and my collection has been the wonder of the neighborhood. Even the kids on my soccer team love to look at them. I also met too many wonderful people to mention. I hope you have as exciting adventure as I have had to date.

I visited Fenwick Island for the first time, back in Novemeber of '99. I purchased the HL addition at the same time. Unfortunitely the shop, up there, was closed and I ended up purchasing the HL at the Lighthouse Depot. Have you had a chance to visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at St. Michaels? Thats where we were headed when we stopped at Fenwick. Thats some beautiful country up there (DelMarVa).

Brent,

I haven't had the opportunity to get there yet. I am planning on a day trip there this summer. My parents just recently moved to FL this year so I am hoping to spend alittle time on the road for some lights in that area also, if I can tear the kids away from DisneyWorld long enough. They don't have much appetite for lighthouse hunting yet! :>)