Research Division

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1974, page 27

Dear Sirs: 

On the opposite page (see below) is an insulator we can find no information on. First, it was found in Recoe, Penna., which is about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh, Penna. It was on a 20 foot pole with a 2 foot arm. A rough drawing of the pin (all metal) is on the right (see below). The drawing of the insulator (65% actual size) is as accurate as possible.

Large Image (108k)

Our insulator is cracked in half between the base and cap. The cap is metal and badly rusted, but it is still strong, and its shape is easily distinguished. The cap is hollow and is filled with the base material. As we are beginner collectors, we could not determine the base composition. It could be cement, asbestos, pottery, or who knows what. 99% of the finish is gone.

We have 6 books on insulators, and nothing comes close to it. We would like any information you may have on it. 
Thank you. 
Greg & Bob Stadler 
240 Beech Rd. 
Pittsburgh, PA 15239

Dear Dora, 

We enjoy your magazine very much and look forward to each issue. 

On a pole I found an insulator which from the ground looked like a hub cap. It is made of a light gray fiberglass or composition. It is a two piece transposition of some kind put together with 2 bolts. First one I've ever run across in about 10 years of telephone work! Just wondered if there's been many found?
Ed Hutchens 
Box 66 
Salem, MO 65560

Dear Dora,

I've just gotten a unique insulator that I know you and all our fellow collectors would like to see. I think it could very well be one of a kind. Here's a drawing of it, shown at 80% actual size. I'll send you a picture as soon as I can.

Wayne A. Moore 
Frankfort, Kentucky

- - - - - - - - - 

Wayne:

I found this insulator mentioned in Mr. Woodward's The Glass Insulator in America 1969 Report, page 39; and 1973 Report, page 29. Mr. Woodward's book gives no history, but it is listed in Chapter XII, "High Voltage Insulator Names". CD #268 "Crown" cable - Brookfield-62 is listed in the back of his book. Thank you for sharing with us. This is the first one I can remember seeing.

Dora

Dear Don and Dora:

What prompted my writing at this time is the letter by Frank Feher in Crown Jewels January issue regarding the Isorex insulator he received from Spain.

A friend of mine who had gone to Spain on vacation last summer brought back 3 Spanish insulators - two different porcelain and one glass (black glass), dark green, if you will. It is a beauty. I have the pin removed from mine "finally" - mostly using ice picks and small diameter long shank drill bits. His and the one I have are the only two of these I've heard of so far. 
Sincerely, 
Evelyn and George Makler 
Concord, California

Dear Dora,

I have an insulator I would like some information on if possible. It's white porcelain. On the inner skirt there is a decal that says "Made in Italy". The outside is hand painted. There are three instruments on the skirt. The wire groove and top are gold. It is 3-3/4" high and 3" wide.
Bruce Evans
Granada Hills, Cal.

Here are some pictures of a few insulators I have gotten, The pictures are not too good, but the best we could come up with. I took them in B. & W. so you could reprint them.

CD #127 Deep Cobalt	Battleford Baby Threadless Black glass, much smaller than a Mulford & Biddle, about 1/2 the size

The CD #459 Boston with the Boston Threadless	Boston Threadless (light aqua)  Has two 5/8" wide grooves in the pin hole getting wider at the top

Bottom of CD #459, Amber Found in a bucket at a barn sale in Lower New York State	Bottom view of CD #? About like a 162, only it is threadless. What about the Oakman's pat?

The 127 Cobalt is the only one known to exist, and I don't think there are any more of the Boston threadless. There are two or three more of the amber Boston.

We also have a CD 164 peacock blue H.G. Co., and we have heard that there are only about three others. We found, too, a scarce 162 Hawley for $8.00 in a junk store in Maine. 
Cecil Boos 
Cumberland, Iowa