Just received my Portland Head Winter piece today. It looks great but too bad it is a reintroduction. It has a much larger footprint the the original and appears to weigh twice as much.

That's good news, Rich. I like the idea that it is much larger than the original LE Portland Head. I always felt that piece was too small. I'm looking forward to adding that piece to my collection even if it is a re-release.

Bob

P.S. Does it look like a GLOW?

Bob,

It looks more like a bigger edition of the original LE.

According to HL's Customer Service, sales are going well on this one. The balance of the edition is expected to arrive in the USA in April. If you plan to order, it would be a good idea to talk to your dealer.

I picked up my HL317 today and am very pleased with the size and quality of this piece. It is neat to see inside the lantern room to view the fresnel lens.

Nice job Harbour Lights.

Ron
(CT Keeper)

Is there actually a little replica of a Fresnel lens inside the clear lantern? If so, very good idea...good compromise between the light up GLOWS and the regular HLs.

One thing I DO like on some of the newer LEs is the clear lantern rooms. Not the GLOW ones, the ones like this piece seem to have, and the 2004 St. Augustine (as opposed to all the others). It really gives a more realistic look to the piece. That, I think, is the best recent new technology on an HL piece.

Maybe the lens is an optical illusion. The lantern room part of the top of the tower is clear (resin), perhaps with a 'void' in the shape of a Fresnel lens, so what appears to be a lens inside the clear resin is really an empty shape.

Just my guess. Perhaps Ron Foster will cut through the lantern room and tell us if I'm right.