We have chosen to limit the production of "First & Main" to 75 pieces in order to provide a reasonable assurance the building will become a true collectible.

We believe an item becomes a 'collectible' when there are more people who want it than the number available. With this year's selection, we believe that will be the case.

Prior limited edition pieces produced by WB Studios were anything but limited. The first in the series, the "Greenhouse", was 'limited' to 2,000 pieces. At the time, the mailing list for the studio was less than 600. Had the issue 'sold out', sales would have exceeded the total revenue of the company from 1964 to 1992, the year the piece was released. (There were no limited editions produced while Mr. Brockmann owned the company.)

Successive editions followed this irrational lead closely, although most with reduced numbers. In 1993 the number to be produced was 1,000. In 1994 it was reduced to 500 as were those in 1995 and 1996. In 1997 the number jumped to 2,000 again, but dropped to 1,000 in 1998 and 500 in 1999. The piece for the year 2000 was so complex and the workmanship by the mold maker so poor, it was never officially released, although several were sold.

No series ever sold out; based on records obtained at the time we purchased the company in 2000, no more than 85 of any offering were sold. If the records are accurate, in most years, the number was far less.

The price of this year's piece is lower than any ever released.

Virtually all buyers make their purchase for the joy it brings when their beautiful building is displayed, not as an investment. However, especially in the case of a limited edition piece, we believe they would also like to feel comfortable knowing their collection will grow in value, no matter how small the likelihood of them parting with it at any price.

By keeping the number of pieces produced to a reasonable level, we believe that is accomplished.

We welcome any and all comments regarding our decision.

Numerical data used above was derived from documents provided by the prior owner.