1977 >> April >> A Way To Catalog Your Insulators  

A Way To Catalog Your Insulators
by Frank Miller

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", April 1977, page 21

I don't know whether it would be of interest to other collectors or not, but I have always cataloged my collections, and thought you might get other collectors to describe their systems of insulator cataloging.

To start if off, here's my system and the blank I use.  This is what I started with, and still use with some changes. Its age is indicated by the fact that the first column headed T# was for Tibbitt's number. I now use this column for the line number from Milholland's 1975 price list.

Under F & B I print what's on the front and back of the insulator, with special letters in red for such things as OD for on dome, SOD for seam over dome, etc. And under Co# I put any number that is printed on the insulator.

Type refers to pony, signal, etc.

Under DP I put a __ for no drip points, an S for sharp drip points, or an R for round; and, if any, I count them. Not many collectors count drip points, but I think of different drip point counts as a variation, and also an indication of the number of times the mold was re- made.

Color, number of skirts, diameter and height explain themselves.

Under Price I put what I paid, when, and from whom.

Under Reference Page, if there is an article printed about a particular insulator, I put C.J., date and page.

And under Hv I put a check to show I have it, with a red line if it is damaged.



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