Although the question of glass insulators in red color has been discussed from time to time, it seems appropriate to once again cover the topic. From long- time readers, we ask forgiveness for repeating some data already presented in past years. 

Insofar as we have proof at this point, no glass insulator has ever been offered commercially in a true red glass, as would be found in a red signal lens, for example. However, there have been two specific instances, widely separated in time, where insulators have been made in quantity from glass that would probably best be described as red-amber. These insulators do have a definite red appearance when viewed against a strong light source. The red color is more pronounced with some light sources than with others.

The earlier of these are Hemingray products from the period around 1895 to 1905. A typical unit would be a CD #162, somewhat crude and with sharp drip points, embossed as follows: 

The CD #162 continued to be made in amber for quite some time, into the mid-1920's; but it is among those from earlier years that one finds the specimens with the most red color.

It is also from that same period that catalogs offering Hemingray insulators have the notation: "We are prepared to furnish all styles of insulators in red, blue and amber glass..." Were those red-amber insulators made and sold as "red" insulators in accordance with this offer? That's over 80 years ago. We may never have positive proof.

The second production of amber insulators with a noticeable red component occurred at the Armstrong plant during the late 1940's and 1950's. Several styles were sold as "brown glass" insulators: It is quite certain they were never represented as being red. However, as with the earlier ones described above, many of them do have a definite red appearance against a strong light. The color in these insulators is extremely dark.

Styles sold in "brown glass" include No. 51-Cl (CD #167), No. 512U (CD #216), No. 51-C3 (CD #217), No. 51-ClA (CD #230.2), and No. 511A (CD #272). 

While the majority of these were made during the Armstrong period, we have at least one example of an amber glass No. 511A made earlier, probably about 1937. This brings us to consideration of a specific Whitall Tatum insulator of red-amber glass, from probably the same period, although we do not have proof of the date it was made. The molds used for it were of the set of CD #154 molds being used during the Depression years for making the pale yellow No. 1 insulators which are common. 

One of these insulators is in the Smithsonian Institute, having been donated along with the other insulators in the Western Union Museum some years ago. It was mentioned recently in a syndicated newspaper column by antiques experts Ralph and Terry Kovel. It is embossed as follows: 

One half-mold	Opposite half-mold
WHITALL TATUM CO. No. 1 29	MADE IN U.S.A.

A few more of these are in the hands of collectors. But they are very scarce, because they were never a regular production item. Only a few were made as samples. 

Other than those described above and an occasional cullet item of similar color, there are no known red glass insulators, except those falling into one of two classes: (1) Insulators made as novelty items and never intended for use on the line; and (2) Clear glass insulators treated with a transparent acrylic resin or other material that looks like glass. Some examples of both above classes are about. Most we have seen fall into the second category.