We've speculated in the past about some ideas that we'd like to see in a future Harbour Lights.

One of those that comes to mind was a seasonal version of a lighthouse. I think we were thinking of Portland Head in Fall colors, but we got Fort Tompkins in all four seasons.

A lighthouse under construction? We've seen one before and after renovation in St. Helena.

A "Great Lighthouse of the Past" (GLOP). We've got a few "Gone But Not Forgotten" examples such as Cleveland and now Bullock Point.

What innovation might you imagine or suggest on a future Harbour Lights?

I still never really got my nice flagpoles on any yet (except Eddystone).

and Anchor Bay ships, Rod....

Harbour lights could get together with a lighthouse restoration society (Waugoshance, for example) and do a before and after piece. As of right now, and for the last 50+ years, Waugoshance ( once again, only mentioned as an example ) has been on its last leg. Somehow, it's still standing. Harbour Lights could do a version of the current dilapitated Waugoshance Light. Then, a few years down the road, they could do the restored version.

How about a lens with a rotating light?

How about an actual functional lens with the right focal planes so the light moves around the room?


Chuck

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bigdragon

Well we got one with fall colors and dodads but imo the paintwork on the trees could stand some improvement. The colors somehow don't seem quite right or as crisp as they could be. There are many existing lighthouses in areas that experience the beauty of the fall season that could be depicted. The fall theme seems to get a bit lost when shared with three other versions of the same light.

Do the folks at HL, or those in China really know our fall colors? Perhaps this year we should all go out and photograph some of our "not yet produced by HL lighthouses" in their autumnal spendor and send copies to HL!

I still prefer they stick to what they do best. I prefer my HL's with no moving or detachable parts.

Sue, you're right about some of the colors on the trees.

2002 has been a super year for HL's latest releases. The pieces just keep getting better and better.

I always enjoyed receiving an enclosed postcard or booklet with my HL purchases. Maybe that's something that should be brought back.

Bob

How about 4 different pieces for the four different regionals, i.e a great lakes piece for the midwest regional, a Florida piece for the southest regional etc. I still think this would be better then have 4 of the same piece.

Mike

I would like to see a new pair of lights made (like Old and New Presque Isle, Mi...as an example), but as seperate pieces where the two bases "fit" together if you happen to purchase both. They would almost appear like the Old and New Cape Henry piece with continuous landscaping between the two lights when you put them together, but now with a much larger footprint. Each would be designed as a 'complete looking' sculpture, whether they are seperated or together in a cabinet. When put together, they would then have a much longer looking base then a single piece, and could really focus the design on all the landscaping between the lights. I love the big footprints, and this would be an innovative way to approach it. Not suggesting any kind of hokey 'interlocking' base concept, but pieces designed with a somewhat smooth transition when placed side by side. Those that like big footprints are accomodated, and those that don't are also covered. Buy one, buy both...your choice. No matter what new idea HL does, one group loves it and another group hates it. This could be an innovative concept used for a few pieces where you shouldn't get too many nay sayers, but could possibly create a bit of interest if done right.

Front and Rear range light sets would work really well for this concept too (Bailey's Harbor range lights, or Munising range lights, etc.). Would also be a neat way to do 2 flanking breakwater lights (Cleveland West Breakwater and Cleveland East Pier) when the bases connect together neatly in the waterway between the two lights.

I also like having various 'Bob' trees scattered throughout a display. Ties all the lights together with a bit of landscaping. Wouldn't mind having a few more bushes, trees, or other lighthouse and beach type scenery pieces to fill in some occasional gaps between similar size pieces. Makes for a nice display. I don't at all suggest taking this to the extreme with tons of ancillary junk (like many Christmas collection scenes), but just a few extras to scatter around would be nice. All open edition pieces without specific HL numbers, so those that hate the idea don't have to moan about needing to buy them for their 'complete' HL collection, etc.

I have been asking for Old & New as matched numbered set for years.... I like your idea even better, Rod.

Good ideas Rod!

I LIKE IT !!!!!

Good idea Rod! A few tombstones would look nice scattered around the collection.

Harbour Lights take note!! Rod's a genius!

Pier lights have never been the company's strong suit...nor do they appear to be best-sellers possibly because the pier (or breakwater) is so stunted. Interlocking pier lights would be very impressive and dramatic. It's worth a test.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A COLLECTORS COMMEMORATIVE.
It would commemorate the Harbour light collectibles figurine instead of the lighthouse. This figurine would be designed to be a true collectable, not a shelf stuffer.
The lighthouse would follow the criteria of the Early ones.
1. a ½” lighting rod
2. a red maple leaf sticker underneath with the saying “In Remembrance of the First Collectibles” “Collectors Commemorative”
3. White Box with peanuts.
4. Green water if appropriate.
5. Definitely no moving or detachable parts.
6. One of the first 17.

This would be designed for the collectors. The production would also have to be no more than 1,200. Any more than that, it wouldn’t hold the value it deserves and the low production wouldn’t hurt the secondary value of the figurine that it copied. It probably would enhance it. The 1,200 also would give the collectors a challenge to find one.

We could pick one of the early ones that could use some corrections. Like West Quoddy- part of the house is missing.
Coquille- don’t even want to go there.
Maybe North Head -since most collectors feel that it is plain and would like to see what modern technology could do for it. It is also the lighthouse on the blue box.

Daniel

All the ideas above have a lot of merit, but...... the one thing I wish HL would do on ALL lights is try to get closer to true scaling of the piece. We've all visited numerous lights, and one of my small disappointments is that unfortunately a great number of HL's tend to be "too squat" and not reflect true scaling. This problem is even worse with many other mfg'ers. HL does better than most, and does a great job overall, I just wish they were a little closer to true form. I understand that the cast resin process doesn't lend iteself to scaling the small items exactly like, railings, fences, window frames, etc. But to me the proportion of the overall light should be kept true.
One man's opinion.




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Like Seguin and Oak Island, George? Those towers are not quite accurate, imo. Seguin a tad tall and Oak Island a bit fatter than the actual light?

How about a "Lighthouses of the Silver Screen" set.

A remake of Point Arena from Forever Young.
Alcatraz & The Rock would be nice (but another Alcatraz might be a bit much).

Could include a certificate and stills from the movie.

Just a thought.

I don't want to see any more Limited Edition lighthouses remade as Limited Editions that's what the GLOWs are for... There are plenty of great lighthouses that haven't been made yet as Limited Editions.

BTW, John, shouldn't this thread be in the Wish List Forum rather than the Rumor Mill Forum...

Why, yes. It should be.

Right on Rod.
I like the idea of matched sets (but not four seasons). Old and New Presque Isle would make a beautiful pair.
Roger

After reading all the comments I thinkthat Rod has the most interesting on. Interlocking lighthouses is a neat concept and would give the collector the option of either or both. I like that idea.(as long as we don't go to the extreme)

Rich

After reading everything above, I agree that I really don't want moving parts. I also agree with the scaling, and the painting.

Joyce

I also agree with Rod on the interlocking base. But that eye up there really bugs me.

I would like to see Point Bonita, Ca with the suspension bridge and the tunnel. That would be a major technological WOW! The detail and scaling would be a real challange. A very popular and well visited light that should sell out quickly.

Dale

OKAY; I WOULD LIKE TO REVISE MY FIRST PROPOSAL
I can see that a remake of one of the first 17 didn't go over very BIG

How about the first 500 to 1000 of a particular limited issue to commemorate the first collectables.
One limited addition could be released with the following features for the first 1000:

1. A ½” lighting rod
2. A red maple leaf sticker underneath with the saying “In Remembrance of the First Collectibles” “Collectors Commemorative”
3. White Box.
4. Green water.

Always have a back up plan.

Rod's idea is absolutely GREEEAAAT!!!! Hope HL sees it (LOL)

I would like to see a limited edition of a HL lighthouse which could be interlocked with an AB boat. The New London Harbor Lighthouse (site of the 4th lighthouse station in the U.S.A.) and an AB of the USCG Barque Eagle or the USS Nautilus Submarine (both the Submarine Base and the USCG Academy are just up the Thames River from the New London Harbor Lighthouse) which could be interlocked to form one very meaningful and beautiful work of art, are perfect choices.

Ron
(CT Keeper)

How about SOUND?
A LH that has a bell could emit a ring or a LH that has a fog horn could emit a deep Wheeeeehaaaawww! - Joe

I hope HL grants all of your wishes, but as long as they keep making super quality limited editions separately from lights that can be disassembled, light up, or whatever.

As a dedicated collector of HL's, I prefer their regular work more than futuristic innovation. I applaud the fact they keep trying to come up with new ideas to market and that's what keeps them ahead of the other guys. Maybe someday you'll all get your wish with a remote controlled light that lights up, has a realisitc sounding fog horn, and a bell that actually rings.

No gadgets for me, thanks. I enjoy and will continue to enjoy what Harbour Lights does the best. That's what got them where they are today.

"The quality lives on long after the price is forgotten".

Bob

Well said Bob!

Dale

Joe, if you want sound, buy one of them lighthouse cookie jars (for about 20 bucks) that, when opened, makes the sound of a fog signal. After opening it a few times, the sound starts to get annoying! (LOL)

Rod is right on the money with his suggestion!

Or just turn up the volume on the Mark Sherman screensaver, Joe!

Yeah, that screensaver DOES get annoying after a short while - I TAKE IT BACK! What was I thinking? Cookie Jars? What a terrible idea - sorry! What could be more annoying that a fog horn sounding everytime I tried to steal a few chocolate chippers? lol - Joe
PS: Who spelled the word Graemlins on the "Post a Reply" page? St John? :rolleyes:

A graemlin methinks is a Gaelic gremlin. :rolleyes:

"Graemlin" instead of "Gremlin" also appears on my association board that uses the same software. Maybe it's a copyrighted word.

Bob

Let me just throw this out there for a reaction:

A lantern room with clear glass and a tiny fresnel lens visible inside.

It would be very interesting to be able to look inside the lantern room and see the fresnel lens sitting inside. This innovation couldn't be a half-hearted attempt. It would have to be high quality and not take away from the standard we have all came to expect. It would have to look realistic.

I still like Rod's idea of a New & Old Presque Isle. It was a good idea when he made it a few years back and still is today. (OK I am a bit biased when it comes to Michigan lights.....)

-Todd

Oh my gosh, Todd, I love that idea of a lantern room with a lens inside, how cool......and a flag pole..gees now I'm all a flutter...

The lens is a cool idea, that would be a neat trick!!!

Todd,

I like your idea. I'm not a big fan of the "innovations", but I like that one, assumming as you said it was done at the quality level we expect.

Dennis

What a great idea! I like the idea of seeing a lens inside a lighthouse. OK HL, this sounds like a challaenge that you can meet! Looking forward to seeing it come out.

Bert

I also like the interlocking idea. I actually spoke to Bill about a piece that would be interesting in my opinion, Two Harbors Minnesota. I would have the lighthouse with the ore dock attached. The ore dock could have an ore boat and ore trains included.
The other would be Duluth Harbor with the three lights that could be sold separately or buy them all and have them interlocking.
Also, I'm a real sucker for the American Flag. I would love to see a light with a flagpole.

Love the idea of a Lantern Room with Fresnel Lens visible! Come on Harbour Lights...take on the challenge!

John & Mary

I also like the idea of a lantern room - great suggestion!

I think with the way that Harbour Lights has improved their technology over the past decade, it's just fun to see how much more *detail* gets added to every new piece. Look at Roanoke River, sitting on top of all those pilings, and the boat hanging there - 10 years ago they probably never would have attempted something like that.

So I guess what I'm saying is that with things coming along the way they are, I wouldn't be surprised if a detailed lantern room with lens is in our future.

I LOVE the idea of the connecting lights! Especially using it for pierhead lights. I still kinda wish that they could make some of the smaller large CG boats for the Anchor Bays. The class of ships that I've been wanting them to do for a while is 180 feet long, I figure they're getting closer, the Tybee is 110 feet...

And I kinda like the idea of green water where apporpriate. Some place do have more predominantly green water (like Lake Michigan by us).

I am always in favor of trying something new & seeing if it will work & accepted, but sometimes innovation comes at a price and should be kept within reason. Of all the ideas that have been presented my vote goes to the transparent lantern room with a lens inside (hopefully a 1st order), topped by a lightning rod. I see so many photos of lantern rooms with the lens that I think it would be neat. I think the lightning rod would make a nice topper. With Harbour Lights continuing attention to detail I think that a well done piece could become the center piece of a collection.

I've sat back and read all the ideas and they all sound fantastic. Of all the ideas my 3rd choice would be interlocking pieces for before/after, 2nd choice for all issues would be a clear glass in the lens room with a miniature lens, but, my 1st choice goes all the way back to the very beginning of Harbour Lights and that is LIGHTNING RODS which no one has mentioned and which are sorely missed by me. Harbour Lights has the technology now to make them out of a solid piece of metal with the hole predrilled in the top of the lightning ball and all we would have to do is either inset or remove as desired. I sure miss not seeing lightning rods on all the pieces. You look at the top of the lightning ball and what do you see NOTHING WHEN YOU SHOULD SEE SOMETHING!.

What do you have to say to this idea?

Rich