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Artist's Proofs #143005 08/29/06 11:32 AM
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5lights Offline OP
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Can anyone tell me please, how desireable it is to have an artist's proof? How many of these were done per piece? Would the value be more? confused


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143006 08/29/06 12:08 PM
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Here's probably more than you're asking for, but I responded to someone in an email who was asking about a particular AP and so had something prepared:

Quote:
After a lighthouse is sculpted in wax, either the artist or a different person will make a mold and do two castings from that mold. An origination painter then paints the two pieces identically.

These "paint samples" usually do not have any bottom felt. And the ones I have seen have had the words "paint sample" hand-written on the bottom of them.

One of these two is sent to the factory and the other is retained by Harbour Lights.

The factory then paints up a few pieces following the one paint sample they were sent and ships these samples back to Harbour Lights for approval. They do have the bottom felt. At Harbour Lights, they compare the factory painted samples with the artist painted sample they retained.

If they approve it, they can simply communicate with the factory to proceed or give them instructions on how to change the piece.

If they are approved these early sample become the Artists Proofs shipped out to showrooms. If the changes are relatively minor, the pieces may still be sent out as APs.


In the early years, pieces were ordered, cast and painted in smaller quantities than in the mid 1990s and probably up to the present day. Initial order quantities might have been 2,000 or 3,000.

The Malaysian and Chinese factories were much better with painting consistency than was Castle Studios which used home-based painters.

I do know that some unnumbered pieces are made and these may end up marked as "AP" when they need to generate another one.

In the early years, APs were not numbered. But the showrooms told the Youngers that an unnumbered piece could be more valuable than one marked as "AP" because it could be numbered by the recipient as anything they wanted it to be.

So HL began to mark them as "AP" on the flag.

Up until this year, any rep group that had a showroom would get a set of APs of each release batch from Harbour Lights. If they didn't have a showroom, they didn't get APs. That meant that the number of APs made for each piece was usually about 12 - maybe as high as 15 for peak years when there were more rep groups.

Some pieces such as the Collectors Society pieces and the Event editions (Reunion, Store, Regional) are not chosen by dealers to carry; the company makes what it wants, so they do not need to have APs made for showrooms. Only 3-4 APs may be made of these pieces.

Under Lighthouse Marketing, many fewer pieces are marked "AP". Rep groups will get a regular production piece of the editions for their showrooms and IF a lighthouse is released from their area -- for example Galveston TX for the TX rep group, they will get an AP of that one only.

Kim told me long ago that once the rep has the APs they were free to do whatever they wanted to with them after the introduction period was over.

They may have retained the AP in the showroom until it retired, or until the next batch was released. A few of the reps kept them as their personal collection. Others gave them to a store or event as a drawing prize or auction item.

Typically if there is a modification made on a piece, the APs which are the first ones made by the factory will have the more rare version.

For example, all of the Grand Haven MI LEs sent to reps as APs had the roof painted red. The Old Field Point NY pieces had the original metal tree and way back in the early years, the APs of Split Rock were "MI", later corrected to "MN".

APs are relatively rare and it would be nice to have one in a personal collection, IMO. They generally carry a premium and still should, in my opinion.

The number of APs is in addition to the planned edition size.

Re: Artist's Proofs #143007 08/29/06 01:26 PM
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One correction, John, the paint samples do have felt on them (now) at least the ones I now have, are with felt on the bottom.. One of my most prized Harbour Lights in my collection is a paint sample of the White Hull AB118 USCGC Icebreaker Mackinaw, it has felt on the bottom...


Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Artist's Proofs #143008 08/29/06 01:49 PM
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Lighthouser Offline
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What a prize Paul! Wow! Sound's like the ultimate prize to me.

I have one AP, and it's only the GLOW version of Thomas Point, but I'm pleased to have it. It has the green felt bottom.

Judy


Judy
Re: Artist's Proofs #143009 08/29/06 02:07 PM
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Thanks, Paul. I've added a weasel qualifier to my first post "usually".


"Never say 'never'"

Re: Artist's Proofs #143010 08/29/06 04:40 PM
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The 'Old Field' I beleive is a 'one of a kind' with bare tree. If it's not, and someone has one to sell reasonably....


LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Artist's Proofs #143011 08/29/06 07:47 PM
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All the APs sent to the Rep showrooms had the metal tree as far as I know, Bob. You know something else?

Let us know.

Re: Artist's Proofs #143012 08/29/06 08:21 PM
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I don't think all of the metal tree version AP's are out there but I know there are more than 'one of a kind'... I missed out on one by 24 hours one time and have seen two others, not mine either, darn it!


Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Artist's Proofs #143013 08/29/06 10:16 PM
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I've been noticing lately there seem to be quite a number of APs on Ebay. Wonder why? And Paul, have you been watching them? Been watching to see how much they go for.

Re: Artist's Proofs #143014 08/30/06 11:01 AM
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5lights Offline OP
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Thank you John for the very nice and detailed expaination! I knew what an artist's proof was but didn't realize they were out there until I too saw them listed on ebay. That got me to wondering.... now I know. Hopefully some day- I can add at least one to my collection!


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143015 08/30/06 11:20 AM
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These are my recollections - no proof.
I thought I read somewhere (here/ Legacy) that all the tree "OF' were recalled and the trees were destroyed. There was, I believe one auctioned off at Providence Reunion???? And a tree alone auctioned someplace else(Baltimore)??? That doesn't mean that Bill doesn't have 1-10 in storage someplace. I always wanted a bare tree because that's the way it is, not with a big pine. It's my closest lighthouse.
Bob


LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Artist's Proofs #143016 08/30/06 11:23 AM
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LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Artist's Proofs #143017 08/30/06 11:42 AM
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Here's any earlier response to 5lights question.
1/10/2000


LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Artist's Proofs #143018 08/30/06 04:42 PM
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Thanks for that information also, Bob. I'm getting quite an education! smile


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143019 08/30/06 07:44 PM
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Bob,

The Old Field with pewter tree is definitely out there, I have one!

Re: Artist's Proofs #143020 08/30/06 10:25 PM
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Does anyone have pictures?


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143021 09/02/06 03:39 PM
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No, I dont have any pics of mine, but you can go to HarbourLights.com, and look up Old Field Point under retired products. On that page, near the bottom, they show a few pictures from different angles of the pewter tree along with an explanation of what happened.

Re: Artist's Proofs #143022 09/02/06 06:23 PM
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Thanks Keweenaw...I'll check it out!


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143023 09/03/06 08:20 PM
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I've learned a whole lot from John and others who are very generous with replies when a CF member needs help. John gives such thorough answers.
Aren't they all great, Debbie?!


beachcomber
Re: Artist's Proofs #143024 09/06/06 11:45 AM
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I agree Grace! There so many knowledgeable people here that are so willing to help you learn and find the answers that you are looking for!! John does give very thoroughly great answers! laugh A BIG thanks to everyone that are very generous with their great answers!!


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143025 09/09/06 06:43 PM
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Sometimes you can stumble onto an AP with dumb luck.

About 3 years ago, I was Christmas shopping in Freeport, ME at a Christmas store that had been a Harbour Lights dealer, but was getting rid of the line. They only had a few local "limiteds" remaining on the shelf, but next to them was an artist's proof of West Quoddy (HL103). It became mine for $29.

As John mentioned above, there was no AP written on the piece yet.

Jim

Re: Artist's Proofs #143026 09/09/06 08:18 PM
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I'll keep that in mind! How forunate for you...I wish that I could be that lucky!!!! smile


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143027 09/09/06 09:53 PM
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Great find, Jim. Hope you felt guilty about "stealing" that one!

(tic, of course)

Re: Artist's Proofs #143028 09/11/06 04:09 PM
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I'd feel guilty! For about a minute and then I'd be jumping up and down in celebration of such a deal!!!!! laugh


Debbie
Re: Artist's Proofs #143029 09/11/06 05:17 PM
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No need to feel guitly Jim.
You were just in the right place at the right time. Some things are just meant to be!
HCS

Re: Artist's Proofs #143030 09/11/06 08:09 PM
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That's pretty awesome, Jim. The AP's are very special and it is too bad that some are being sold as if they have little value. Of course, it's pretty terrific when you are the buyer and can get a good deal! smile


beachcomber

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