It was back in 1988, when one of our fellow collectors after a long hot drive, pulled to a stop in front of a small grocery store west of the Mississippi. He was in the process of setting his parking brakes, and happened to glance at the rear view mirror. With a quickened heartbeat he almost forgot to turn the engine key off. For a moment he couldn't believe what he had seen. Perhaps it was just fatigue, or the heat. No, it was not a dream. He ran his hand across his brown, closed both eyes for a moment, then blinked a couple of times. Daring to look again, yes, what he saw was real. 

What he saw shimmering like a mirage, were two of Fred M. Locke's very early multipart insulators. This visual image cleared to identify the innovative porcelain tops with the gutter and spout. He could also see they differed, in that one had a glass base, the other had a porcelain base. Wow! What a treasure! 

There they were, just a few yards away, up a short stairway, pinned, and free for all the world to see. It crossed his mind to wonder whether they might be on one of our NASA satellite photos. Forgetting why he had parked in front of the store, he found himself crossing the road.

How neat, no BEWARE OF THE DOG sign, no one cradling a shotgun. This whole scene was great, just like our country used to be. 

Much calmer now, he admiringly scanned those two beauties as he slowly ascended the stairs. He stood before the closed door for a few moments, then gently knocked. Just about to knock again, an approaching sound indicated someone's presence. He was greeted by the homeowner -- hopefully the insulator's guardian and owner. 

Fred M. Locke M-2795 Porcelain Top with gutter
 and spout with glass base for 60,000 volts.
 One of the first multi-part insulators from the early 1900's.

She very quickly learned why this stranger stood at her doorway. He soon understood that they were not for sale, not ever, not even for an enticing trade. This was a bit more than just disappointing --- to have his best buying approaches firmly rebuffed. Saying good-by, he left without looking back. 

After the grocery store stop, he was again on his way, thoughtful about his positive discovery very quickly leading to a negative result -- what electricity is all about! He had been shorted out. What the heck. It should be no worse than getting a "no sale" response from a fellow collector. We all get that one once in a while.

Fred M. Locke M-2796 Porcelain Top with gutter 
and spout with porcelain base for 60,000 volts. 
One of the first multi-part insulators from early 1900's.

The "rest of the story" came years later -- perhaps three.

Dale told a fellow porcelain collector of that earlier disappointment. His name was Bill, and of good credentials was he. They teamed up, and set a rendezvous for a try wherein the power of numbers might be favorable. Their arrival turned out to be a rainy afternoon. Rain or shine they were hopeful. Bill, I am sure, was perhaps just as excited as Dale on his first trip. After all, he was a porcelain buff of the first order. Even Elton N. Gish would have loved to be there too, I am sure. 

Each prize was suspended not on a peg, but on a broom handle dowel to be easily plucked from each perch. Easily plucked from each perch -- compared to their original position high on a pole holding a heavy copper line carrying 60KV. Here were the two to be easily admired. Just think, some pranking youngsters could come by and drop them to fragmentation below. What a horrible thought!

Now the two stood before that same closed front door. A knock, and another, brought no response. What should they do now? Those dowels looked awfully nude as they lifted each insulator for careful examination.

Bill said, as he inspected the M-2795, the one with the glass base, "this one is better than the one I bought from Walt at the Bakersfield show in 1992. That one was in great shape too." They graded these as near mint. The white splotches in Bill's photos are caused by house paint.

Examination and photograph completed, they gave the door one more chance. Down the stairway, crossing the road to the pickup saw them both turn for one last look at the treasure, left for hopefully another time.\

Think about it. I feel sure we all would agree that Dale and Bill did indeed pass the Litmus Test. And who are these honest collectors who didn't jump at the opportunity to "Take Without Asking" and deserve the insulator "halo award?" (Turn to page 30 for the answer).

(page 30)