Home > Harbour Lights > Harbour Lights Information Guide DON'T FORGET TO PURCHASE OUR "LIMITED EDITION" Chatham Little Light! ONLY 300 PIECES, EACH NUMBERED AND AVAILABLE ONLY AT CAPE ANNIE'S LIGHTHOUSE! Harbour Lights lighthouses are definitely the most extensive, and, therefore, the most complicated collection of lighthouse collectibles in the world. Before we explain each category, let's first mention that when someone makes reference to a "large" or "big" Harbour Lights piece, it includes all of the categories below, EXCEPT "This Little Light of Mine (Little Lights)." HARBOUR LIGHTS"LIMITED EDITIONS" - This is the "original" category of Harbour Lights, and is still the most popular for true lighthouse collectors. The first "limited Edition" piece was HL101 - Admiralty Head, Washington, released in January 1991. There have been over 200 "limited editions" produced by Harbour Lights, with HL313 - Presque Isle, MI being the newest release. A "limited edition" piece is usually the first piece that Harbour Lights makes for that particular lighthouse. The "edition size" (number of pieces), predetermined by Harbour Lights, is the maximum number of pieces to be produced for that lighthouse. On each "limited edition" piece, you will see a "flag" with a set of numbers on it (ex: 3,405 / 5,500). The first number is handwritten, and indicates the number of the piece that you purchased. The second number is cast into the mold when it is made, and indicates the "edition size." Pieces that have the first number below 100 are considered very valuable. Edition sizes can range anywhere from 2,500 to 10,000. A Harbour Lights "limited edition" becomes a "retired" piece in one of two ways. Back in the days when the collectible market was strong, a piece would retire when it produced piece number 5,500/5,500; in other words, when it reached the upper limit of the edition size. Lately, the edition sizes have not been filled out; thus, Harbour Lights will usually retire a piece after it has been out for 3-4 years. It makes the actual edition size smaller, but keeps the value in the piece for those who purchased it. Every so often, Harbour Lights has produced "timed" releases, with no definite edition size. Boon Island, ME - HL273 was issued as a timed release, which means Harbour Lights has a predetermined date (usually unknown to collectors) as to when its production will halt, thus becoming "retired." Because new collectors are surfacing every day, these "retired" pieces (secondary market) can be a very profitable category for both retailers and collectors to get into. GREAT LIGHTHOUSES OF THE WORLD (i.e. "GLOWS" or "OPEN EDITIONS") - As with any collectible item, "limited edition" means that there are only a specific number of them made, whereas "open edition" indicates that they will be made forever (there is NO edition sixe indicated on the piece). Because there are new collectors constantly emerging, Harbour Lights needed to create a way for these newcomers to purchases replicas of lighthouses that had already been retired. They created "Great Lighthouses of the World (GLOWS)," a series that consists, basically, of popular lighthouses that have been remolded and produced for a second time. All "Great Lighthouses" have code numbers in the 400's (Ex: HL416), which makes them easy to differentiate from the original "limited edition" version. The mold is made differently, and slightly smaller, than the original piece. In this way, Harbour Lights creates a new and different mold to give the new collector a chance to own that lighthouse, yet not take away from the value of the "limited edition" piece. Each GLOw has only one number on the piece (no edition size). A piece numbered #B1237 would indicate that it was piece number 1237, produced in year B, its second year of production (A, B, C indicate 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of production, etc.). THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE (Little Lights) - In January 2000, Harbour Lights began their "Little Light Of Mine" series. Several factors probably weighed into their decision, most importantly, size and price. "Limited Editions" and "GLOWS" take up a lot of space when you become a serious collector. "Little Lights" are usually 3"-4" tall, with a compact base, and fit nicely into small curio cases. They are priced nicely, $12.95 and $14.95 (with a few $21.95 for the exquisitely detailed), which not only attracts avid lighthouse collectors, but now brings in the entire souvenir market for Harbour Lights. All "Little Lights" begin with the code number "LL," beginning with Cape Hatteras, NC (LL101). HARBOUR LIGHTS "SPECIAL EDITIONS" - The "special editions" category has a wide range of sub-categories. Special edition pieces include "Accessories, Fresnel Lenses, Christmas pieces, Event pieces and Spyglass series. These pieces will be numbered in the HL600's and HL700's. Most of these "special editions" will also be "limited editions," meaning they will be retired at some point. Some "special editions" may be of lighthouses that have already been done as a limited edition, but are being with a certain theme (i.e. "On-The-Move," Christmas, etc.) ANCHOR BAY by HARBOUR LIGHTS - "Anchor Bay" refers to the ships/boats that Harbour Lights has made, beginning in 1997. They include Coast Guard vessels, most lightships, tugboats, skipjacks, motor yachts, etc. They, also, are "limited editions," usually with much smaller edition sizes than the lighthouses. Their code numbers begin with AB (ex: AB117). GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT (Illuminated Lighthouses) - Just recently, Harbour Lights began its own line of ceramic, illuminated lighthouses. They have code numbers beginning with GN, and are not numbered individually. Each comes with an electric cord containing 2 or 3 bulbs, illuminating the keeper's house, the tower and the lens. These pieces were not a huge success and have been discontinued as of 12/31/04. SKYBOUND (Hot Air Balloons) - Another recent addition by Harbour Lights is their hot air balloons. Each piece consists of a wooden base with its own themed setting, and wire hook, holding a brightly colored balloon above that setting. All balloons begin with the code numbers SB. FRESNEL LENSES - Even though these pieces tend to be a bit more pricey than the regular lighthouse statues, they are the fastest selling "limited edition" pieces around today. You definitely want to order these EARLY after their release date. Like other "special editions," they are numbered in the HL600's. EVENT PIECES - These can be broken down into two types; the in-store exclusive signing event piece, and the regional event piece. The "In-Store Exclusive" piece is sold ONLY at stores that have an in-store signing with a member of the Younger family during that calendar year. In the Harbour Lights magazine, "Lighthouse Legacy," there will be a complete list of retail stores that will be having an upcoming signing event. In order to get one of these "exclusive" pieces, you must either attend one of these events, or pre-order a piece from one of the listed stores, in which case they will ship you the "signed" piece after the event. The "Regional Event" pieces are special editions that can be purchased at most Harbour Lights dealers throughout that calendar year, but can then be brought to the "regional" event to be signed by a Younger family member. There used to be 4 regional events (one in each season, in a different sector of the country). Now, there are just two; an East Coast and a West Coast. Since several of the lighthouses used in the "regional" pieces have previously been done as "limited edition," you can again differentiate by noticing the HL600's number for the regional piece. CHRISTMAS PIECES/ORNAMENT SETS - Starting in 1995, Harbour Lights began producing one lighthouse with a Christmas/winter setting. In 1996, they began adding a set of 4 ornaments, each with its own "wintery" look. The ornament sets are moderately popular, but the Christmas piece itself is probably the most popular piece that Harbour Lights makes each year. Even non-Harbour Lights collectors love it because of its Christmas motif. The 2003 piece, Stratford Point, CT sold out quickly because it was the first "illuminated" Christmas piece. Christmas pieces and ornament sets will be numbered in the HL700's. HARBOUR LIGHTS COLLECTORS SOCIETY ("Member Pieces") - In 1995, Harbour Lights began its "collector's society." For a small membership fee, you received a FREE "member piece," plus the opportunity to purchase another "redemption piece," a piece created specifically for these members ONLY! This "redemption piece" could not be purchased at a regular Harbour Lights dealer. These pieces will be numbered in the HL500's "NEW RELEASES" - Once you become a Harbour Lights collector, these become the most anticipated words you'll hear (twice a year). Approximately December and June will be the dates when Harbour Lights anually announces their two sets of "new releases." The December announcement will list the next year's spring releases (January through June), while the June 1st announcement lists the set of summer releases (June through September). Each set of "new releases" will include almost every category; limited editions, GLOWS, special editions, little lights, Anchor Bay and Skybound. "RETIRED PIECES" - Once you start collecting, this category can be dangerous to the wallet, especially if you find a dealer with a good selection of "retired pieces." Harbour Lights has a strict policy for dealers on pricing. Any "current" piece has to be sold at their "suggested retail price." It can never be raised nor can it be discounted during a storewide sale. After a "limited edition" piece has been "retired" by Harbour Lights, the retailer has the option of raising the price to whatever level they choose. You, as a collector, must decide how much you are willing to pay for a "retired" piece. It is the opinion and policy of this retailer (Cape Annie's Lighthouse) to NEVER raise the price over "suggested retail price," even AFTER retirement. Most of the retailers that have "jacked-up" the prices of their "retired pieces," have had these pieces in their store since BEFORE the piece was retired. This means that they paid "regular" wholesale price from Harbour Lights, and are greedily marking it up too high! The only exception, we believe, should be if the retailer paid MORE than the original wholesale cost to add that piece to their inventory. This will definitely be true for some of the early "limited editions." IN SUMMARY - Decide what you want to collect; small or large, "open" or "limited" edition. Then, when you're ready to shop, use the code numbers listed above for each category to make sure you get what you paid for! Every new collector's biggest mistake is purchasing a "GLOW" (HL400's) when you think you're getting a very valuable "Limited Edition" (HL101 - HL322). For example, the original West Quoddy, ME "limited edition" lighthouse is HL103, whereas the GLOW is HL431. Once you've done a little bit of collecting, you be able to differentiate the two pieces by sight. |
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