January 1998 From the Editors Desk

How many times do you reflect upon "what used to be"? Having just spent time with family and friends during a season filled with traditions, I am sure that many thoughts of "what used to be" crossed your minds during the the month of December.

"What used to be" also fills a hobby such as ours. People still share stories of the early days of collecting, when lines and insulators were plentiful, when no prices or values dared to enter into a trade, when pioneers such as Woodward, Tibbetts, Tod, Harned and Milholland were just beginning reference and research.

COVER: I was struck by the simplicity of the marvelous photo when proud papa, Chris Seamons of Provo, Utah shared it with me this past summer.. I have known Chris, his mother and sister since the 1974 national in Hershey, Pennsylvania where we first met. It was fun to see how Chris' family has grown.

Pictured are Bianca and Vanessa Seamons looking down the tracks at the CPRR locomotive "Jupiter" and the UPRR locomotive "119" on the occasion of the 128th Anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony, May 10, 1997 at Promontory Summit, Utah.

Vanessa and Bianca

Nearly three decades of collecting have passed and discussions of "what used to be" seem to draw from more recent times and places. The year 1997 was such a place. For "what used to be" hobby publications are no more. An open letter in October read "Following lengthy and difficult deliberation, the decision has been made to immediately cease publication of Canadian Bottle and Stoneware Collector magazine." Then, an email from Patty Norton in October, editor of Rainbow Rider's Trading Post, indicating that the monthly publication had been discontinued. And, from Mark Lauckner and Russ Paton who coordinate the Canadian Insulator Collector, notice that the next issue produced will be the publication's last.

At some point, as editor of this publication, I will retire. And I hope that there will be someone in the hobby at that moment in time who will want to continue publishing. It is clear that as the hobby has passed through each phase of growth, that this publication has survived. Why?

Because of the devoted readers who have continued to write stories and share their knowledge in regular column formats. Because people who want to target over 1700 readers with advertising use this publication. Because, throughout undulations of collecting interest, this magazine has tried to be consistent and weather the conflicts, peaks and valleys. The publication has been blessed.

Maybe Crown Jewels of the Wire will become a "what used to be." I have been told that everything will be electronic someday. All we will need to do is turn on a computer to activate our hobby. That may be true at some point in time, but I still use a tea kettle, an iron, roast my turkey in an oven, pump my own gasoline and curl up by the fire with a good book. And, even though I could not accomplish much of what I do to participate in this hobby without the aides of the electronic age, I have yet to see a computer extend a warm hand in greeting, hug, smile or shed a tear. Much of what is the warmth of personality and opinion has been lost with the closure of three hobby publications during 1997.

As you study the cover of this magazine this month, let yourself reflect on "what used to be." But, hold to the expectant anticipation that "what can be." What YOU can do to contribute to this publication. What research YOU can do share with the hobby. What story needs telling by YOU.

My pledge to you readers is to keep Crown Jewels of the Wire contributing to the future of the hobby, so that Bianca and Vanessa (who sit on the tracks of the siding just after the "champagne photo" of the "Jupiter" and "119" was taken) may become third generation collectors. Hopefully, the insulator hobby will not become a historic re-enactment of "what used to be."