That's what Kim Andrews is calling 1999 - "The Year of the Unexpected"

Of course, these 'unexpecteds' are planned by Harbour Lights, but should be seen as 'unexpected' by we collectors.

The first 'unexpected event' was the introduction of Hillsboro Inlet FL with an edition size of only 6,500.

The second 'unexpected event' is the just-announced early retirement of Wind Point WI and Round Island MI, both short of the original planned edition of 9,500 pieces.

There also seems to be a phasing out of the 'last call' to reps and dealers when the stock on a particular lighthouse gets down to 1,000-1,500.

The 'endangered list' used to include items for which only 200-300 left to be ordered. Then dealers and reps wanted more notice so the list included 1,000-1,500. The result? More dealers ordered large quantities. Which resulted in newly 'retired' items being found on dealers' displays for quite a while after 'sell-out'. In effect, the inventory moved from HL's warehouse to dealers' store rooms, but the movement to collectors' hands probably wasn't accellerated by the 'last call'.

What do you think about 'The Year of the Unexpected'? What other 'unexpected' things could you imagine?

Are these 'Unexpected' events/situations good for the line? Good for collectors? What's your opinion?

Carnac