The annual bottle show in Chico, California has been a favorite of insulator collectors for decades. I remember attending in the late 1960's and being amazed at the great western insulators that turned up at Chico. This year was no exception, although the best insulators came for "show and tell", rather than "buy and sell".

That's not to say some outstanding insulators didn't walk in the door. Glen Adkins was fortunate enough to have someone come to his table wanting to sell insulators. Glen ended up with a beautiful purple CD 133 CALIFORNIA. Bob Jackson noticed Janet Bond carrying the top of an EC&M pole in the parking lot. Janet had a sale before she even got to the door. 

Glenn Adkins got the best "walk-in".

But "show and tell" was a major focus of the show. The amazing CD 123 insulator shown on the cover of the new EC&M book (see page 48) dazzled collectors. Another EC&M, an A-Mold in teal blue glass, was a delight to see. It had been found by a man who was digging a flower bed for his wife. (Hmm... Linda might get more work out of me if she tried that approach!)

Steve Bava, Larry Monroe, & Bob Jackson

Denley Bryson (aka "Yellow Cal Nut") brought virtually his entire prestigious collection of CALIFORNIA insulators for all to see. He owns the dramatic CD 161 shown on page 18.

Larry Monroe was in possession of a nearly 100 year old sales catalog for the Calif. Electric Works, which included insulators.

CHICO SHOW FINDS

Among the surprises at this year's Chico Show was this CD 133 CALIFORNIA. Glen Adkins was the fortunate collector to buy this piece from someone who just walked in to sell some insulators.

The McLaughlin CD 115 shown below made its second appearance at a Chico Show. Lee Lickiss bought it at a previous Chico show from early day collector Don Harned, and brought it back for show and tell. Great unlisted and citrine-like color!

CHICO SHOW AND TELL

How about a bit of blue and gold? The CD 130.1 CAL ELEC WORKS in cobalt was found a couple of decades ago by AI Moorhead, who still owns it. The CD 120 CEW in cobalt blue is an insulator Bob Jackson owned years ago when he specialized in insulators made by California Electric Works. When he re-joined the hobby a few years back, Bob made a point of acquiring it back. Janet Bond owns the yellow CALIFORNIA CD 121; and the yellow CALIFORNIA CD 161 adorns the collection of Denley Bryson.

This year's Chico show was well attended. I apologize If I miss a name or two, but among insulator collectors in attendance were Greg & Judy Bickford, Bob Jackson, Pat Patocka, Janet Bond, Steve Bava, Lee Lickiss, Rex Vaughn, Dave Elliott, Glen Adkins, Larry Monroe, Denley Bryson, Carl Scott, Gary Michener, Bill Ostrander, Nathan Lamkey, Scott Prall, Al Moorhead, David Cook, and Howard Banks. 

Janet Bond and Lee Lickiss

Denley Bryson checks out Pat Patocka's sales table.