1983 >> March >> Editorial  

Editorial

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", March 1983, page 3

This issue starts the fifteenth year of publishing our hobby magazine INSULATORS, Crown Jewels of the Wire. Isn't this amazing? Well, not really, I guess, when you consider the quality collectors of insulators. We are just one big family sharing our knowledge and love of insulators, helping one another. This is what life is all about, isn't it?

The bad economy has hurt somewhat. I have had letters from collectors stating this fact. Our circulation is not what it was back in 1975 and 1976, which seem to be the peak years. But this is a specialized magazine, not interesting to the non-collector, and therefore we have a small circulation compared to a general interest publication.

The Kovels, considered to be America's antique experts, and authors of several antique books, plus a syndicated newspaper column, really gave us a boost by printing the following in their column:

Q.   

Can you give me any information about glass insulators? I am just starting to collect the glass insulators and would like to know more about them.

A.   

Many people collect the glass insulators that were used on telephone and electric lines. There is a monthly magazine called "Insulators: Crown Jewels of the Wire" (Route 1, Box 475, Chico, Calif. 95926) that has articles and information about collectors' shows and other events. They could tell you about insulator collector activities nearest you. There also are many privately printed books about insulators. 

At this writing I have received over 250 inquiries from all over the United states, and the letters are still pouring in. I send nearly all a sample copy (January of February issue) and have enlisted Clarice Gordon's help in answering questions. This should help book authors, advertisers, subscribers, clubs, shows, and all of us. A great big THANK YOU to Ralph and Terry Kovel. You're our kind of people.

Have you ordered your 14th National Insulator Association commemorative insulator yet? This year the color is "Rochester" lilac, and it is truly a beautiful color. You realize, of course, these are limited to a certain number manufactured, so they do increase in value each year. Some of the early ones are now selling at fantastic prices. Personally, I wouldn't part with mine. 

Also, this year McDougalds are having a 10th Anniversary N.I.A. commemorative insulator made. There will be five different colors, with approximately 250 made in each color. I predict these will also be an investment item, increasing in value with each passing year. So don't miss out. See our ad section and order yours today, before they are all sold out.

Some of you newer subscribers will be disappointed that your names and addresses do not appear in this Directory. They were received too late to be included, and we are sorry. 

We try hard not to make any errors, so if you find that we have listed your name, address, or phone number incorrectly, please let us know right away, and we will make the necessary correction in a future issue of Crown Jewels

Again I want to thank each and every one of you for your faith and trust in me by continuing your subscriptions and advertising, the many fine people who contribute articles every month, Myrtle who deciphers our sometimes scribbled writing and makes very few typographical errors, and her family who helps. The last three years when I've had to be in and out of the hospital so often, a big Thanks to my daughter Doreen, my family, and personal friends, who have taken over and kept Crown Jewels running so smoothly. Other than being printed later in the month, you hardly even knew I wasn't at the helm. So THANKS, everyone. Things are going to be better, I promise.

Dora



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