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In the last few years, Harbour Lights has introduced lighthouse collectors to lighthouses that have extensive metal work, Just to mention a few past successes, are the screw-pile series: Thomas Point, Maryland, originally introduced in 1996; Drum Point, Maryland; and Middle Bay, Alabama.

All the above mentioned had retired rather quickly. It appears the lighthouse collector cannot get enough of these lighthouses that depict metal structures. Harbour Lights is once again introducing two new unique depictions that have extensive metal work. Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse, Wisconsin has played a meaningful role in the severely weather plagued area of Green Bay, Wisconsin, residing on the Lake Michigan shoreline. If this light follows the same path that other Harbour Lights with metal structures have, Sturgeon Bay should become a real winner among lighthouse collectors.

Another sentinel that should have a very favorable response is Grand Haven, Michigan. This light is striking in the fact that Harbour Lights has been able to capture the whole pier, that the two lighthouses stand on. Grand Haven South Pier Inner Light and the Grand Haven South Pierhead Light actually stand several hundred feet from one another on a lengthy stone pier. It is very evident that the Harbour Lights company have put in a lot of time and research into depicting this piece.

Secondary Market Notes:

We at the Lighthouse Trading Company specialize in retired and limited edition collectibles and receive questions from collectors on a regular basis about the differences between collecting open edition lighthouses versus the limited edition lighthouses. These are now generally limited to a size of 10,000 pieces being produced. As we have always stated, collectors should always purchase collectibles for enjoyment versus investment. Any monetary gain is just an added plus. Harbour Lights has been so well received in the last several years that originally they had produced lighthouse figurines in 5,500 edition size. But as time has gone on Harbour Lights had found this edition size did not suffice the ever-increasing collector base. There was a need to offer an open edition series to provide the tourist, as well as the collector, an option to purchase previously retired lighthouses. These lighthouses are smaller in size and are produced on a continual basis, not limited by number. This is a wonderful alternative for finding previously retired lighthouses at a cost of under a hundred dollars.

Cape Hatteras Update: As readers of the Lighthouse Digest are aware, there is an endangerment of losing this lighthouse with the race between the encroaching sea and politics on moving a true national gem. Money has been appropriated for this move, but it is important for lighthouse collectors and enthusiasts to contact their senators and make them aware of the importance of this upcoming bill.

Matt Rothman is the owner of Lighthouse Trading Co., which is the original and one of the leading sources specializing in the secondary market of Harbour Lights and retired and limited edition collectibles. He can be contacted at 112 Elio Circle, Limerock, PA 19468. Phone/Fax 610-409-9336 or E-Mail-LHTRADE1@aol.com

This story appeared in the August 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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