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[ CANOES ] Limited Editions RARE BEAUTIES: GET ONE IF YOU CAN(OE)
It’s fitting that a company with roots in ex- ploration, discovery and adventure would want to honor its legacy by creating a spe- cial edition canoe. Recently, that’s just what three of North America’s most established purveyors have done. But with high demand for these boats, it’s a wonder they’re not more readily available. Founded in 1670, the Hudson’s Bay Com-
pany (HBC) still conjures images of its early employees—voyageurs
and couriers-de-
bois—making an emblematic canoe an ob- vious marketing tool. Last year, HBC com- missioned Langford Canoes to create a line of Heritage Edition boats. Te cedar boats’ outer canvas bear the iconic stripes of HBC’s Point Blanket. Initial response to the campaign was tre-
mendous. But hopes of celebrating heritage voyageur-style were dashed when many would-be HBC brand ambassadors balked at the $7,500 price tag. “We keep a limited amount in stock because of size and cost,” says HBC spokesperson Nicole Plener, “and they are only available at two stores.” While Langford and HBC may be playing hard to get, Plener assures, “canoes can be made to order and shipped to other locations.”
20 EARLY SUMMER 2011 Woolrich—another company with a sto-
ried past entrenched in wilderness explo- ration—is also taking advantage of the ca- noe’s symbolism. Teir distinctive buffalo check design will grace the hulls of special edition Nova Craft canoes in 2011. Te Woolrich plaid is just as catching as HBC’s stripes and equally elusive. As part of an internal sales incentive promotion, only 10 canoes are being created—the boats are not for sale to the public. Adventure-seeker brand Eddie Bauer took
a different approach with its commemora- tive canoe—it’s both reasonably priced and widely available. Te limited edition canoes mark Eddie Bauer’s 90th anniversary. Ap- propriately, the boats are Mad River Canoe Explorer models. Te Kevlar boats are cus- tom-outfitted in a classic Eddie Bauer color- scheme and include two matching paddles. Te favorable response to special edition
canoes will no doubt lead to more exclusive head-turners in department store displays. Let’s just hope collectors don’t forget what these works of art are really built for. —Michael Mechan
2011 Limited Editions You Can’t Paddle
Takamine Limited Edition Six String Acoustic/Electric, $3,399
Eric Clapton Ballads Album, Import Limited Edition, $38
Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon 2011, $TBA
Whitesnake Forevermore Album, Limited Edition Box, $55
Hello Kitty Fragrance Spring Collection, Limited Edition 1.7 oz., $55
Yonex SHB-102 LTD 2011 Limited Edition Badminton Shoes, $130
2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Special Singapore Limited Edition, price undisclosed, however $20,000 donated to charity with each of 10 cars. Roof racks optional.
PHOTOS, TOP TO BOTTOM: COURTESY HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY (
WWW.HBC.COM) / COURTESY NOVA CRAFT CANOE / COURTESY MAD RIVER CANOE
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