I'm new to this forum so please forgive me if I'm readdressing an old topic, but can someone out there please update me on the most sought after/valuable/rare HL pieces?

I have a friend who's inherited his deceased father's collection and I understand there are some rare pieces therein -- only, I don't know how to help him determine value, etc. I understand there's a value book/directory out there, but I've been told it's outdated and no longer valid...(!?) Basically, I'm lost.

Well, any input/guidance is very much appreciated -- thank you -- and happy new year!

A.T.

Okay
What you are asking would be in the same category as asking someone to teach you how to fly a plane by sending you an email.

But I like challenges,
There use to be a book out their called the green book that showed many of the rare Harbour Lights but it has been retired since 1998 and the values are not accurate. There is a Harbour light collectors guide that just came out and you can get at any Harbour Light dealer but it does not give values.


First of all lets look for all lighthouses from 101 to 143 and 145 (with a number less than 993). Any of these have a chance of being sought after by collectors.

Next find any of these that have lightning rods. Ones with lightning rods are worth more.
Look for low numbers and set aside anything with numbers less than 1500. Double digits mean you hit pay dirt.
Check for any of them that have a white or brown box.

Verify if you have 102 or 111 or 108, they are the rare ones.
Other good numbers that are not as rare are but are collectables are125, 128, 132 to138.
The best thing you can do is find the HL number with its production number and list them for us and we can tell you if there is anything valuable?

A.T., although we have several hardcore collectors on the CF's, Daniel is who many of us consult for current value trends. Post a list and Daniel and several other experts here will be able to help you determine what your friend has. Once that happens, you can post on the Trading Post if your friend is interested in selling. Several of the CF membership are still looking for some of those rare pieces. Maybe your friend has some of those.

Thanks Daniel and Beachcomber,

Okay, I have some information on the pieces:

#102 Cape Hatteras. I guess there were two different designs...? Apparently, this is the thinner of the two.

#111 Coquille River (note stating "California mold").

#409 Old Pt. Loma (Great Lighthouses of the World) – 1997

#604 New Pt. Loma – 1997 Collector’s Reunion

#605 New Pt. Loma (mini) – 1997 Collector’s Reunion

#607 ‘Spyglass’ (set of 7 miniatures) – 1997

#615 Rose Island – 1998 Collector’s Reunion

Christmas pieces:

#701 Colchester Reef – 1996

#704 White Shoal Light – 1997

#707 Old Field Pt. – 1998

# ??? Mulkilteo (Note stating an extra ‘L’ in name)

Tiny miniatures – 3/4" tall, each in a little blue felt pouch with a gold cord. They appear to come in sets of four:

Assateague
Cape Hatteras
Sandy Hook
St. Simon

Pt. Judith
Rose Island
Beavertail
S.E. Block

Any advice you can offer is appreciated

Best,

A.T.

You have some really cool pieces there but I will let Daniel cover this. The notes refer to variations (sometimes errors) in the pieces. Some became rare pieces because production was stopped when the variations/errors were discovered and new molds were cast for the rest of the run. The thumbnail sets (of 4 each) were gifts given out at the first and second reunions - they are extra special, as are the models that came from those reunions. Apparently your friend's dad attended the first and second reunions '97 (California) and '98 (Rhode Island). I could go on but will let the real experts go into all the detail. By the way, The Official Collectors Guide is the most comprehensive guide on Harbour Lights and is available at stores which carry HL and through the mail at Lighthouse Depot, the lighthouse store in Maine. It was put together by the Webmaster himself (John) and all the photographs were done by Paul who has been posting all the terrific pictures of the new releases.

A.T. You need to 'invest' in the Official Collectors Guide to Harbour Lights. Click the link below my name to learn more about it.

While there are not secondary market prices, there are lists of the 'most rare' lights (which usually equates to most valuable.)

Most Harbour Lights dealers can get you the book.

If he has the HL102 (thinner tower) and it is in excellent condition, it would be the most valuable -- and probably worth more than the rest of the list combined. An experienced collector could give you an assessment of the condition of the piece through some close-up digital photos. Don't post those photos here.

You will undoubtedly have been contacted already by some collectors interested in buying. Before you sell, get a couple of opinions from seasoned collectors who are NOT interested in buying it first. If you will email me, I can probably put you in touch with someone in your area to assess the condition of the HL102.

The ones below are your valuable ones.

#102 Cape Hatteras.
#111 Coquille River
#604 New Pt. Loma – 1997 Collector’s Reunion
#605 New Pt. Loma (mini) – 1997 Collector’s Reunion
# ??? Mulkilteo (Note stating an extra ‘L’ in name)

Give me the hand written number that is written on the side of the lighthouse.
Also list if they have original boxes and what color is the box.

The hand written number (production number) and the box can change the value drastically.

As John stated, don’t be in a big hurry to sell until you have all the facts.

These are your thumbnails.

Assateague $35 to $45
Cape Hatteras $35 to $50
Sandy Hook $25 to $35
St. Simon $25 to $35

Full set of four-$100 to $150


Pt. Judith $25 to $35
Rose Island $25 to $35
Beavertail $25 to $35
S.E. Block $25 to $35

Full set of four-$100 to $135

The ones you listed go between $25 and $50 apiece, pending on how bad a collector needs one to complete his collection.
The Hatteras and the Assateague are the more popular ones.

A.T., the thumbnails, by themselves, make a cool little collection. Your friend has a great start! Four were given out at each of the first three reunions (1997, 1998, 2001). Nine were issued for the 2005 reunion and six were issued for different special events. They are incredibly well done!