The issue number of HL 156 is documented in the Greenbook at 5428.

The surviving number after breakage is estimated by this Forum, by Jim Rutherford, by Greenbook, etc. at 50% leaving between 2500-2700.

The HL appears to be MORE than quite nice.

When I was attempting to acquire this piece, I found two secondary sources who have a combined total of 24 pieces. (These sources can be easily found in this Forum.)

So if the number after breakage is correct, and there are several speculators, (i'm sure many more than the 2 I found) THEN HOW MANY COLLECTORS HAVE THE PIECE?

How many pieces are really out there?

If Coquille River has a 1138 issue number and is worth $2500-3000? (One went for $2000 on Jan 2 No Reserve and $2081 yesterday - reserve not met on Ebay)
THEN
why is Point Arena with a 2500? pieces and a price consistantly in the $140s, so available?(That's the typical secondary price and the final Ebay Auction price.)

I realize that this Forums contributors consistantly point out that this piece is a GREAT VALUE,
BUT
my question is: "Are there less than 2500 hardcore collectors who must have this piece
OR
are there really closer to 5428 or more pieces out there?



[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 01-15-99).]

You make a valid point, Bob. I have a Point Arena and I'm happy to have it. Maybe they'll make a Coquille GLOW or maybe a Point Arena GLOW someday. Everyone says Point Arena is a "sleeper" and underpriced at this time. I would think that this would be a good time to add it to your collection before it joins Coquille as one of the high-priced HL.

That's the word from the East Coast!

Ah the perfect piece to point out my corallary on dispersion. (See

The Tourist and Dispersion Factors Affecting Long Term Growth in Values of Lighthouse Collectibles by Harbour Lights (C) (R) 1996-98 etc. with this link:

http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum17/HTML/000008.html

A year or so back, I'd ask collectors if they had a Point Arena. Almost without exception, if they had ONE, they had MORE than one. Meaning that my estimated 2,000 Point Arenas were in the hands of (my pure guess) 500-600 collectors.

In other words if you need a Point Arena, there are 500 to 600 sources to obtain them from.

As long as there are so many sellers willing to double their investment, in one year, they won't cost $2,000 each.

I just received my Point Arena from a secondary dealer
This LH is outrageous!!
The jagged rock around the edges, the tall white tower, detail of the keepers house and grounds.
I had trouble putting it down.

I think if this piece was available to be viewed by most collectors, the supply would no longer meet the demand at the current price. No picture that I've seen of this HL has done it justice.

This piece instantly became one of my favorites.

Right on, Bob! It's highly UNDER rated. Course the real thing is pretty fantastic, too. (It's the one flashing up at the top of this page.)

John

a passionate flasher!