There were 10 Anchor Bays (AB101S thru AB110S) initially released with glass cases and miniature figures as Limited Editions ("S" denotes Limited Edition). Of these initial 10 Anchor Bays, 6 were re-released as Open Editions (AB101 thru AB106) with glass cases and no miniature figures, 3 were never re-released as Open Editions (AB107S thru AB109S) and 1 (AB110S) was re-released without a glass case and miniature figures as an open edition (AB113).

The first 9 Limited Editions (AB101S thru AB109S)that were released with glass cases and little figures on them all had an edition size of 4000. The re-released first 6 Open Editions (AB101 thru AB106) were quickly discontinued with a minimal edition size. The AB107S thru AB109S were never re-released as Open Editions. AB110S had an edition size of 2,500 while the re-released version AB113 edition size was 4,000.

AB101S Chesapeake Light Vessel, 4,000
AB101 Chesapeake Light Vessel, 3,000 (+/-) 1,000
AB102S Tugboat Toledo Boat, 4,000
AB102 Tugboat Toledo Boat, 200
AB103S Huron Light Vessel, 4,000
AB103 Huron Light Vessel, 72
AB104S Skipjack Nancy Boat, 4,000
AB104 Skipjack Nancy Boat, 25
AB105S Motor Yacht Kim Boat, 4,000
AB105 Motor Yacht Kim Boat, 13
AB106S Sardine Lori Boat, 4,000
AB106 Sardine Lori Boat, 22
AB107S Columbia Light Vessel, 4,000
AB108S Purse Seiner Boat, 4,000
AB109S Portsmouth Light Vessel, 4,000
AB110S Coast Guard 44' MLB, 2,500
AB113 Coast Guard 44' MLB, 4,000

The AB110S 44' Motor Life Boat was first released as a Limited Edition with figures and a glass case with an edition number of 2500. It was then discontinued and re-released for the remainder of it's run as an Open Edition and was renumbered AB113. The figures were removed and was sold without a glass case.

The remaining Anchor Bays (AB111 thru AB124) were released as Limited Editions without glass cases and miniature figures. Their edition sizes range anywhere from 4,000 down to 500 and can be found in the Product History List.

Harbour Lights' thinking with Anchor Bay was to create a new line of Limited Editions which collectors would know from the beginning were going to be later available as open editions. (Unlike the surprise in 1994 when Open Editions first appeared.)

They hoped HL collectors would, as a group, like and want to collect these pieces -- but they were also looking to create a new group of collectors who liked ship models. Thus the product line had it's own name "Anchor Bay".

By pre-announcing that only 4,000 of each of the new Anchor Bay pieces would be made with special features (glass cases and miniature crew), they hoped this group would sell out quickly and allow the open editions to start being sold.

The price points on the new AB line was about twice that of the most expensive Harbour Lights then available.

When the new line was introduced in April 1997, the number of limited edition and open edition Harbour Lights pieces being introduced each year was substantial. HL collectors weren't looking for more ways to spend money on another line.

Few, if any, of the original 4,000 limited editions were sold out to collectors.

Thanks John for the additional information on the Anchor Bays. The information that you have contained in your book is an excellent source for the beginning and experienced collector. I'm trying not to duplicate your efforts, but, only trying to expand on what you have listed by going more into detail for the new (and possibly experienced) collectors.

The one thing I was unable to determine was the actual open edition size for AB101 Chesapeake. Does anyone know this figure?

The Open Edition AB101 was over 2,000 and maybe close to the full amount 4,000.. The fact that the AB101S was the first Anchor Bay to be released and it sold out to dealers in the first month helped the regular edition AB101 in sales..

The product list gives the same release date but if memory serves me the Chesapeake hit the shelves a few months ahead of the rest.. The fact that the Chesapeake Anchor Bay is red also helped it in sales.. I had an extra AB101 that's number was #1563 that I bought a couple of months after I bought my #30 AB101..

Thanks Paul for your input.