Thinking about this for a short while and would like to know from our forum members if you like it or leave it. Curious as to who will buy it and who won't, and more importantly why. Take a look and let us all know.

Portland Head, Maine (Winter)

Bert

I really have to agree with Rich that this is definitely a re-introduction, which doesn't please me. Now the question on my mind is "Do I need a winter version of Portland Head?" After all I already have the HL, the GLOW and the LL.

After saying all of that, I will buy this one. I really don't see much of a difference except for the snow, but because and only because it's a New England light (I'm prejudiced)!

Bert

Why does it say "Open" under the edition type at the bottom of the page on the above link? I'm sure it must be a "Limited Edition".

I may buy it because I don't have the original LE of Portland Head - still kind of pricey on the secondary market even in these times of depressed prices. Of course, this is exactly what many of you (and me too) are concerned about with these re-introduced pieces - it removes or diminishes the demand for older pieces.

Larry

It says open because the edition has not yet retired.

Hatteras has multiples of editions out, has it hurt the value of the Hatteras Original and the Hatteras Revised?

Portland Head has multiples of editions out, has it hurt the value of the Original?

South East Block Island has multiples of editions out, has it hurt the value of the Original?

St. Augustine has multiples of editions out, has it hurt the value of the Original?

If were debating collectibles the original is always the Original. I don't believe these will destroy their collectibility. Most people that purchase the other versions always say they would like to own the Original but they wont pay the price. That just means they aren't part of the market anyway. Now if Harbour Lights issues another Hatteras, Portland Head, SE Block Island or St. Augustine using the same original molds then we absolutely have a problem.

imho,

Sean

Pretty, but I do not collect NE lights.

Just try to imagine what the secondary prices of the above original limited editions might have been had it not been for the various GLOWS and re-introductions. No one can imagine because there are GLOWs and re-introductions. The hand writing is on the wall with 3 re-introductions in 2004 and HL only knows how many in 2005. We already know of at least 2(St. Augustine and Portland Head). I will not buy it because it looks just like the original except with snow. Next it will be the spring version and then the fall version and then the pre-painted version and so on and so forth.

I’ll buy it for two reasons:

1) I’m on auto ship
2) I’m a little nuts and might need to see a psychiatrist.

bobo

Are the dimensions of this piece listed anywhere? I always felt the original and subsequent GLOW's were a little small. I was hoping this newest release would be larger with a bigger foot print.

As stated before, I'm in and will buy it for obvious reasons.

:rolleyes: Bob :rolleyes:

NO, I won't buy it...the only lights w/snow that I buy are the Xmas editions...and even those are getting to be just as oversized and overdone as the regular LEs.

Bob,

The dimensions are on the back cover of Lighthouse Digest. Avery Point is 6 x 6 and Portland Head is 6 x 9.

Bert

If I HAD to see a Portland Head reintro, I would want to see the light before the tower was extended, in the early state. Of course, I don't like reintros, but I would have rather seen that.

But, we have to remember...without the reintros, we wouldn't have all the NEW lights that we get every year. The NEW lights still outnumber the reintros (we're talking LEs here, not GLOWs or LLOM). We are a hardcore HL base here, but most of the buyers are not. And those are the people who buy these.

Also, remember...a new collector or a collector on a limited budget may not be able to get the original Phead. However, perhaps the light is dear to them. This is a chance to get the light, still in LE form, but not break the bank.

Is the lantern on this lightup? Or is it like the '04 St Auggie (or one of them), with a clear lantern but no light?

I will buy this one because I don't have the original and except for that one, I buy all the Maine Lights. I hope someday to have the original. I wish I had started collecting when they first came out. By the time I discovered them they had been out for several years.

Can't a guy have any secrets around here? These aren't supposed to be out in public just yet.

I have to get the head honchos' permission and to do so, they needed to see something. Then one of you guys goes sniffing around the website and finds 'em.

Hope I don't get fired over this.

John,

It wasn't me -- I PROMISE !!!!!

bobo

Not much of a secret when it's on the back of LHD.

Yep, the LHD has been in some folks hands for several days. Mine arrived yesterday.

I will buy this one...never mind that it's not my first Portland Head. I like the snow...very New England.

Judy

Doesn't look much different than the original LE, except for the snow. Will buy only if it is at least 1.5x bigger than the previously released piece.

Anybody know when the 2005 1st half releases will be formally announced?

Scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2004...

I think that this illustrates a trend by HL to release information to dealers first and then to the collectors. I believe that several large dealers complained when they heard about new releases from collectors, rather than HL directly. Since the dealers are really Y&A's customers, Kim wants to give them the service. This seems to go along with the trend toward more high volume giftware that will sell rather than items for hard-core collectors, whose numbers are certainly shrinking (reissues of popular lights).

I'm in...although I didn't see it (the link no longer works). I am partial to New England lights, too. And, unfortunately, I am one that will never be able to buy the original LE...so this is a good opportunity for someone like me.

It ain't the original and I have enough re-dos already.

I have no desire to buy the Portland Head. To me it looks like a GLOW with snow on it.

But I will leave final judgement for when I see it in person.

Like I said somewhere, when you hold the latest in your hands and examine the detail, that's the real time to decide "Like It or Leave It."

A box full of the latest introductions arrived on my porch today and the first one I opened is Portland Head. It's a WOW and a Keeper in my opinion. (Where is Bill Harnsberger when we really need him?)

Here's one reason:



No it doesn't light up like a glow, but the big 'fresnel' sure shows through the CLEAR lantern room -- A first for Harbour Lights.

OK, which one shall I open NEXT?

Wow, that is a first for Harbour Lights! It looks like that's a fairly good reason to buy that one. I do have a question for you, JC. Is this latest release of Portland Head larger that the former LE and subsequent GLOW's?

Bob

As to size, Bob, I'd say the latest is definitely bigger than the original LE. Reminds me of the heft and size of Pemaquid, but I no longer have the original LE.

I think I sold it to a collector friend from MA a few years ago.

I'm not sure, but I think last years St. Augustine event peice has a similar lens look. Although maybe not as clear, I got the idea that the lens look was done on purpose. Take a look at your and see what you think.

Mike

Mike is correct the St Augie piece from last year has the "fresnel lens" look to the lantern room.

I'm pleased to hear that the soon-to-be released newest edition of one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States, is finally a larger piece than the original LE. I always felt that the original and subsequent GLOW's were a little small for representing such a popular light.

Bob

John is absolutely correct when he says, I wonder what the responses would be like now?

Bert

Our house is bursting at the seams with all our collectibles. Have severely restricted purchases in 2004 and it will continue indefinitely. For 2004 we only purchased the Membership pieces, the Christmas piece, ornament set and all the Michigan lights (LEs & OEs).

Dan

I noticed that the new one's along with an updated retirement list was in the latest Lighthouse Legacy that I received yesterday. It's not that easy to make a decision based on this or the HL web page though.

I don't know if I can afford it right now, but I only have the original 404 model and I paid $50 for that, so if it's close to the Pemaquid piece, it may be a good deal.

Steve