The Editor's Desk

Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1986, page 3

It is hard to believe that with this issue I will conclude my first year as editor of Crown Jewels of the Wire. I've come a long way from that dining room table where it all began, but only with the help of a great number of special people. Page 1 of the magazine lists those who have done the bulk of the steady work. You, the readers, have continued to supply me with terrific articles. There have been too many to print, but you WILL see your contributions in a future issue. Keep them coming!!

The April, 1986 issue's survey pages (see the pink internal sheets) have been reaching my mailbox daily. You have WONDERFUL suggestions and I do appreciate the constructive ideas that you have given me. Those who have not yet sent yours to me, please take the time to put down your thoughts and return the questionnaire. In coming months, I will be asking your help to fill the requests for particular articles you want included and share with you many of the ideas the other readers have expressed.

One message has come across loud and clear. You appreciate the continuance of the traditional roll Crown Jewels of the Wire has played in our hobby and are enthusiastically telling others about the magazine. This is quite evident, for in the past year the number of new subscribers has exceeded the monthly rate of attrition, and we have gained 150 readers. There has been a real attempt to make the magazine visible at collectible shows and to advertise in other publications that cross-collect with ours. You, the Crown Jewels readers, are the best salesmen. Thank you!

You have also voiced concern over the advertising in the magazine. You indicate that there are not as many ads for long lists of insulators and that there are very few people who "just want to trade." The magazine averages approximately 33% of its pages with advertising every month, so the amount of advertising has not dropped. The lack of long lists of insulators could be attributed to the fact that people simply do not have as many saleable items as they did a few years ago. Maybe we should all take a good look at the real value of trading...that is what built our hobby long before anyone knew that a "mickey mouse" should be worth more than a Hemingray-42.

In the next two months, much preparation will go into making the October, 1986 issue -- THE DIRECTORY -- a very special tool for your collecting. Listed in the directory will be the subscribers and NIA members who wish to have their names published. This is a declaration that they are part of the "family" of insulator collectors and are willing to share of themselves in making this hobby a reality. We all can take advantage of the assistance this directory gives us to further our associations and friendships and to trade, buy and sell insulators. John and I have never traveled anywhere since we began collecting without THE DIRECTORY issue. We have made many friends and had the privilege of seeing great collections. For many years, it has been suggested that there be a specialty collection coding placed next to your name in the geographically listing in THE DIRECTORY. The mechanics of this are too great even for MY computer, but the new, low cost Specialty Shelf should give you an opportunity to advertise your areas of special interest. Maybe you will find another collector who shares your specialty. Who knows what new directions your collecting might take. I encourage you to consider participating in the Specialty Shelf and in the Business Card Yellow Pages. (Details are on page 22 and 33 of this issue.) I appreciate the assistance Mike Guthrie is giving me on this project.

With the Western and Eastern Regionals, the National, and a flock of local summer shows right around the corner, I encourage you to pack your bags with insulators, fill your gas tanks with lower priced gasoline and head for the closest "family gathering."

Carol