I realize that anyone reading this forum post has got to love lighthouses whether they collect Harbour Lights or one of the other brands. This topic is for the Harbour Lights collectors and may have been brought up before. If it has then forgive me, but, I was wondering when the forum members got started and what was their 1st Harbour Lights. I was also wondering what piece they are still waiting for to "complete" their collection. It can be any piece that you have not given up hope on owning, but, still do not see in the immediate future. Also, what are your future plans for collecting Harbour Lights? I will start it off and hopefully others will add to it.

I started in June of 1994.

Ponce De Leon was my 1st piece. It was a bithday gift from my wife. I was stationed at CG Sta Ponce Inlet across the inlet from the lighthouse in 1973-1976.

I would like to "complete" my collection with a #614 Rose Island Large Attendee Piece.

I will continue to buy all the LE pieces as lot as my health, job and money allow me to keep this goal.

Rich


[This message has been edited by flacoastie (edited 01-02-2002).]

Currituck was my first HL December 6th 1996!!

Earlier threads on the subject...

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum16/HTML/000102.html

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum1/HTML/000495.html

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum1/HTML/000507.html



[This message has been edited by engbrady (edited 01-02-2002).]

Cape Hatteras GLOW in 1996.

Cape Hatteras GLOW in 1997

Beavertail - August 1997

Need Portland Head LE to finish my New England Collection.

Admirality Head, WA and Burrows Island, OR in November 1991 because they were local lights.

My collection is complete

Darlene

I got the bug with the Hilton Head Harbourtown GLOW after visiting Hilton Head in May of 1999.

I've completed the Christmas Ornaments including the yearly Society ones.

I also have a representative of each NJ Lighthouse (I don't have the Sandy Hook LE). It's on my want list- maybe for my 50th birthday in March.

I'm not sure I'll ever obtain all of the pieces.

Dennis

Dennis

I received Minot's Ledge as a gift in May of 95.

Since I am a Floridian now, I would love to have all the Florida lights. I am short St. Augustine & Key West but hope to add them someday.

My buying habits are now limited to mostly society, event, and the occassional piece that tickles my fancy.

I have 76 now which already far exceeds my display potential.

I'll continue to buy key pieces and hope that someday my numbers come up in the Florida Lotto so that I can buy and display 1 of everything.

Tim

[This message has been edited by Tim3167 (edited 01-02-2002).]

I got my Tarrytown piece in Savannah, Georgia, May 2000. However, it wasn't until I won a membership to the Collectors Society from BY at the first membership meeting of the Long Island Chapter USLHS last January that I felt compelled to collect HL's.


shirin

I bought my first pieces back in 1992. (It seems like it was yesterday!) I went to one of the local malls back then and bought 6 pieces! (I think she gave me 10% off for buying 6 or more!)

They were:

Admiralty Head
Cape Hatteras (revised)
West Quoddy
Sandy Hook
Old Pt. Loma
North Head

Those were the days! I need only one and it is Cape Hatteras mold 1. Don't think I will ever get that one, but you never know!

Sunken Rock and Marblehead LE in July, 1996.

FIRST HARBOUR LIGHTS 118 OLD MACKINAC POINT, AUG 12 1995.TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD 48 HARBOUR LIGHTS.ALL AT RETAIL OR BELOW, AND A BIG MASTER CARD BILL TO PAY.

My first was Yaquina Head, Oregon in July 1996. I now have about 130 or so. Since I try to collect lights which I have visited or seen, and since I like to take trips to see lighthouses, I hope to "need" a lot more in the future.

Larry

My first HL purchased was Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island, in the summer of '94. I didn't buy another until September of '97 when I purchased Brant Point, Nantucket,Mass. Now I have them all except for Coquille River (LE).

Bob

Cape Henry in August 1999. Now have almost 100 pieces

The first Harbour Lights piece I bought was Wind Point, WI.

I now have just under 100 pieces and I love them all!

First HL was Selkirk, Christmas gift in '98. Nothing special at the moment on my personal wish list. No plans to buy them all, just the ones that appeal to me, as I can afford them.

Cana Island, 1992

[This message has been edited by Gravedigger (edited 01-03-2002).]

My first was the Marblehead, OH GLOW in 1999. I purchased it from a little shop down the road the day I visited that lighthouse. It turned me on to lighthouses! I now have about 70 and plan to purchase the ones we have visited + the society pieces and occassional "must haves".

We recieved Sturgeon Bay in 1998 as a gift from my parents after buying them one as a gift. About a year later, found a Cana Island at retail and the race was on. Now have over 100, trying to collect only the ones we've seen, with the occasional "must have".

The one we want most now is Ocracoke, without paying with our first born of course.


Mike

My first HL piece was Thomas Point, MD GLOW for my birthday from my Wife back in February 1999. I truely love Thomas Point and screwpile style lighthouses!

Since, then I've got the HL "bug" and have been purchasing practically all the lights on the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Maine, including the Chesapeake Bay.

I really enjoy these lights. I just don't understand why I didn't start collecting them earlier.

I hope to add to my collection someday, Cape Charles, VA, and Owls Head, ME as soon as HLs makes these great lights available.

Christopher

My first was the Cape Canaveral L.E. on New Years Eve Dec 31, 1996. Bought it for my wife. At that time, the dealer had Alcatraz and Cape Canaveral. I gave my wife a choice, either the rock or the rocket. She picked the rocket. Went back a few months later to buy the Rock, only to find that they were all sold, but still had plenty of the Canaverls. That’s when the mad race started. I learned which lighthouses were hot and made sure I bought them first. Learn to search other dealers. Finally, found an Alcatraz at retail nine months later.

Daniel

My friend,Geri, gave me the Fire Island light as a gift in 1996 and that got me started. I now have about 80. I am trying to limit my purchases to FLA and NY lights, but it is difficult to restrain myself when I see one I particularly like. Running out of display space and storage space of boxes. Storage is a big problem. I'd like to know how others handle the storage problem.
Happy New Year to all.
JoanieO

My first was Alcatraz. My wife and I went to San Francisco for Valentines Day 1999. We had bought a few Spoontiques while in Florida and other small one but when we saw the Harbour lights, well you know what happened. We went into Scan Trends and there it was. We had just visited Alcatraz and thought it would be a great reminder of a wonderful trip. The quality and attention to detail won us over. Nothing but Harbour Lights now.

Dale

I think my first one was a Montauk Point GLOW...otherwise it was the Old Field Point Christmas 98?
I actually can't remember which one was first - I think I got them both the same year - one for Christmas and one for my birthday - and with them being so close, it's a little confusing - especially since I think I might have gotten the Christmas piece on Christmas and Montauk on my birthday (after Christmas)?...although I can definitely see why Montauk might have come first...my sister and brother each only have one, and they both have the Montauk GLOW.
Yep...Long Island lighthouses...that started it all...although, my collection has more been collected for me than I have collected any myself...most of them are gifts or prizes. Lucky me!


------------------
KRISTIN ERIN SCROOPE
kristin@scroope.net
http://www.scroope.net/lighthouses/lhlist.htm
http://www.LILighthouseSociety.org

My first piece was Ponce De Leon GLOW. Seems like a lot of collectors started with a GLOW... but that's for another thread. I did eventually get the one I wanted, a Ponce LE. I have about 30 in all.

I started collecting other brands first. Then I saw HLs and the detail is what sold me. I bought 2 the first time,Bodie and Currituck.

terry

[This message has been edited by tarbaby (edited 01-04-2002).]

What a "blast from the past" to read the past responses that Paul has posted above! What happened to some of those people? Some of those posters haven't been around for a long time!

I feel very fortunate that someone thought enough of me to give me Nobska as an xmas gift this year. It is my first HL...I would love to have all the New England lighthouses (LE vs GLOW versions) but doubt that will ever happen. Looks like all my Spencer Colins lighthouses will be moving to the storage room with all the beanie babies to make room for my new HLs.

Thomas Point GLOW 1998

Right you are Randy, but some of us never go away!!

BTW... I could probably sit down and put together the order of the first 75 that I purchased and the store I bought them in.... after that I was probably doing autoship for the most part. I could check it out for accuracy since I have every receipt for every HL I have purchased filed away. But instead I think I will use my time shooting the new HL lighthouses..

"Chatham Light" was my first Harbour Light. It's one of my favorites from Cape Cod where I grew up. I can hardly wait to see the new Monomoy Point Lighthouse (located on Monomoy Island, just south of Chatham). And I'm still waiting on Stage Harbour Light! Thanks Harbour Lights for all the great Cape Cod Lighthouses and I look forward to many more of them in the future!

A little confession...I was visiting and posting to the Forum before I started collecting earlier this year. I just stumbled in to talk to other lighthouse people, and you all got me hooked. I thank you and my credit card company thanks you.

Technically, I would say my first was a Fifth Order Fresnel that I bought from the Marketplace in September, for my wife to give to me as a Christmas gift. I didn't get to display it until a few weeks ago. My first displayed piece was Cape Henlopen, which I stole for $26.00 on ebay.

Right now I am concentrating on Maryland and Delaware lights and the lenses.

Our first H L was probably Portland Breakwater. Our local pharmacy started selling H L . It was about three years ago.
We chose Portland because we had lived in
New Hampshire for a short time and visited
there. We now have 28. If we get any more,
we'll have to add a room on. We have the
Lady Lightkeepers and the Stamp set.
We like to buy the ones we've visited,
or sometimes just buy one that strikes our fancy. Don't know if we'll ever get them all.


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Bud Schrader

My 1st was Cold Spring Harbor 11/1/01 (cool number here). I now have 12 and am completely hooked. Last summer my daughter started working at a local dealer and I held out for several months before I joined the Society, hence my first. I have now built several display shelves in the house and planning where to put more.


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bigdragon

Cape Hatteras GLOW in 1997.

Lived about a mile from the St Joe, MI north pier most of my life. Once I received the Hatteras I was hooked. Since then my wife and I have purchased numerous (100+) pieces (what we can afford). As everyone else has done we began attending reunions, collectors shows (Rosemont) and even made a special trip from Northern Indiana to see BY at the Hatteras dedication on Memorial Day weekend a couple of years ago. Kate and I have already made reservations for this years Rosemont show.

Yea, I guess you could so we're hooked, but we love the people we meet. I truly enjoy the forums and what they offer. A heart felt thanks to everyone that are part of these forums.

Dave

The first one I ever "held" was the original Hatteras. We were on a quick weekend trip to San Diego (living in San Francisco at the time) in Fall 1991. One of Darrell's sons took us out to see Old Point Loma, then down to the Coronado Peninsula - Shelter Island near the America's Cup berth. We went into a little gift shop and I saw Hatteras and Old Point Loma. Well, Darrell "talked me into waiting" till we got back to San Francisco - he told me he'd buy me both of them when we got back - so they wouldn't get broken on the airplane. Oh, well - I did get several (Burrows, Coquille, Old Point Loma, Sandy Hook) from him within the next 6 months, but NOT Hatteras! (He DID buy them all - and the revised Hatteras as soon as it came out!)

My first was Macquarie, Australia in 1998 Having spent 3 vacations totaling 17 weeks there, it was a natural.

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[This message has been edited by pharologst (edited 01-14-2002).]

Well the 1st one I bought was Currituck. The first one I bought for me was Cape Caneveral. The way I started collecting is very funny. I started a collection for my step-mother, but before I could give them to her, she & my Dad divorced. & I had about 14 lighthouses. But by this time I had the "bug". So I kept collecting & now have just over 100.

TGIFIF

My first encounter with Harbour Lights was at Lighthouse Depot in Maine. I hadn't even heard of Lighthouse Depot! We just happened to drive by when we were in Wells. Being born in Maine, I think I must have come equiped with a built-in lighthouse antenna because I have always been drawn to them.
We went in and with so many available, I just couldn't make a decision as to which one to buy. So I didn't buy any! I returned
a week later and purchased four.
Bass Harbour
Cape Elizabeth
Pemiquid Point
Cape Florida
I now have one hundred.
All this happened in 1998.
I am so glad that I decided on Harbour Lights. Tey are the top of the line!

I sa the HL 138 St. Augustine while visitng the St. Augustine L/H and was told you could not find on. So I started out to find one and was lucky (after visiting many dealers) to find not one but two at retail. (One dealer in Michigan and the other within 50 miles of home.) After that we traveled all the back roads visitng dealers until today my collection includes all the regular issues and some of the "odd" ones. Along the way I would buyduplicates if I found a low flag # and that is the reason I have had to start selling the duplicates since the boss says she needs the space.
As many of us know there is lots of fun in Lighthousing!!!

Harry

My first was #125 Portland Head, ME...1991 It is still one of my favorites.
Ruthie

St. Augustine FL was our first because I climbed it (1993) and when we returned to CT we happened upon it at a store that has since gone out of business (Fifth Avenue, which was in New London).

Ron & MJ

November or December of 1999, Hillsboro Inlet as a gift from my wife. Than RIP, who I work with, encouraged me to come see the local club. I have managed to obtain all of the Florida Lights (not necessarily both editions) plus a few more.
And I have bee put on hold, for the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first Harbour Light was Cockspur Island in January 1999, I know have about 50 and counting....

My first Harbour Light was Cape Hatteras, open edition, a gift from my husband in May 1997. Inside the box was a brochure about the Collectors Society, which I immediately joined and never looked back. Since then I've collected 58 LEs, 3 OEs, 10 event pieces, 4 special editions + all the ornaments, all the Collectors Society pieces, both Spyglass collections and one Anchor Bay. I love each and every one of them.

My first Harbour Light was purchased in August of 1999 and it was Big Sable. Don't ask me why, I just liked the way it looked. Great choice for the day thou, because it had a promotional coupon in it for another light. I sent it in to Harbour Lights and got the LE Currituck. What a fantastic prize! I long to get the St. Augustine LE, since climbing St. Augustine is how I fell in love with lighthouses.

Rusty

My first two were Currituck GLOW (the first light I have ever climbed) and Sandy Hook GLOW (the closest to my house). They have happily been updated by LE versions, but they are still around.

My first piece was the La Jument Lighthouse. I used to spend a lot of time in Fenwick Island, DE and always thought the lighthouse was "neat" but had not yet been bitten by the bug. We were in a restaurant having dinner when I saw Jean Guichard's "Wave" Print of La Jument on the wall. I saw it a few days later in a gallery on the Ocean City boardwalk and had to have it. A co-worker of mine at the time brought the lighthouse depot catalog to work and when I saw the HL of La Jument, I wanted it to go with the print. Apparently, that's when I was bitten by the bug and have been lighthousing and collecting ever since. The list of my "still need" is too long to even consider printing here...

----------Becki

My first HL was Grosse Point, IL, #120, bought in 1995 (I think). Since then, I have accumulated 33 lighthouses, most of them Great Lakes lights. I am now in the process of cutting my collection down, and am collecting JUST Lake Michigan lights (and Mackinac lights). I will have to go to the secondary market to get some of the Lake Michigan lights, such as Cana Island, Holland, etc. Ah well.....

My first light was a gift about 4 years ago - Split Rock GLOW. I had a long list a while back (including Cana Island, Admiralty Head, and Big Bay & the other Christmas lights.) Since then I've acquired all on my wish list and have 49 total. I guess I should get the LE Split Rock some day. Any lights I visit in the future will get added to my wish list!

My first HL piece was #206 Old Saybrook, I bought that in 1999. For a while I was just buying ones that looked interesting to me. That was costing too much $$$ So now I just purchase WI lights, lights that I have been to and any of the Original 17 (I have 11 and counting )and a few special ones here and there.

My first was Currituck Beach #178, purchased in 1997 at the Currituck Gift Shop. My "collection" is small - the Outer Banks lights (mix of LEs and GLOW - minus Ocracoke, of course (sob)), because we vacation there, some Chesapeake Bay lights, because we live there, Old Point Loma (GLOW)because my wife and I met there and I was stationed (Navy)there, and four Society specials!

My first one is East Quoddy which Kathy got for me 4/15/2000 and it has GROWN quite a bit in the 2yrs and now the BIG B day is ariving and I think I might be getting one or two
By the way if any of you are around Holland this Saturday stop by for my early B Day party after 3:00
Larry

Key West and Ocracoke, 1993