The hot and lazy days of August are upon us and while most of the nation is sweltering in the heat, our friends at Harbour Lights are introducing a replica of Eldred Rock, Alaska. Just the thought of this beautiful frontier state, with visions of snow covered peaks surrounded by coastal waterways notoriously known for the floating ice blocks, seems to refresh even the hottest day on this given month. This is a very exciting release since it is the first replica from the Frontier State. The edition size is 4000.

Before the purchase of this territory by the United States government, Russian vessels often were lost negotiating the treacherous coastline known for its frigid waters and severe storms. Russia established lighthouses along this isolated coastline to assist the mariner in navigating these seas. After the purchase of Alaska in 1867, it took some time before the United States added additional sentinels, but in the late 1800’s, with prospectors discovering gold there was an increase in vessels sinking along these shores and so the need for lighthouses became apparent. In the early years of the turn of the century, Eldred Island Light Station was established, being situated 50 miles north of Juneau which is now the capital of this state.

Eldred Island Lighthouse was constructed on a tiny island in Lynn Canal, surrounded by spectacular views of the waterways encased with mountainous peaks, an octagonal shaped building standing a top a rocky mound. In the past, four U.S Coast Guardsmen would serve at the station on a yearly tour. Currently the station is not staffed, but is still an active light.

Recommended reading: Last month’s issue of Lighthouse Digest, Sandra Shanklin, who is well-known in the lighthouse community, shared her experience of receiving the dream assignment from Harbour Lights to complete her project of visiting lighthouses throughout America, one of which was Eldred Rock, Alaska, the one she now claims as her “Favorite Light.”

Staying with the Northern Exposure theme, Harbour Lights is also going to cool off your summer with La Martre, Quebec, with an edition size limited to 6,500.

One of the hottest prospects of this summer is a 5th Order Fresnel Lens replica, with a limited edition size of 4000. Since the news of this release our phone has been ringing off the hook by collectors in search of this unique replica. This is an outstanding edition to any lighthouse enthusiast’s collection and will be well worth purchasing.

Until next month’s report – Keep the flame.

Matt Rothman is the owner of Lighthouse Trading Co., which is the original and leading source in the secondary market of Harbour Lights. He can be contacted by mail at 112 Elio Circle, Limerick, PA 19468 or by calling him at 610-409-9336 or Email at LHTRADE1@aol.com or visit his web site at www.lighthousetrading.com

This story appeared in the August 2000 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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