Foreign Insulators
by Marilyn Albers
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", August 1988, page 4
HAPPY COLLECTING IN NEW ZEALAND
You know, we often find that those folks who sort of work behind the scenes
turn out to be the most dedicated collectors of all. This seems to be true of
Kieran Shanahan of Auckland, New Zealand. He's a subscriber to CROWN JEWELS and
has been for several years, and has not yet seen his 30th birthday. With a name
like Shanahan he is bound to be Irish! I've never met him in person, but I feel
like I have. We've corresponded from time to time and he's been good to keep me
up to date with insulator finds and any other information pertinent to the
hobby.
He has acquired several insulator books from the United States and seems
to have digested it all quite thoroughly! I know Jack Ted appreciates the shadow
profiles of "different" porcelain insulators that Kieran has found in
New Zealand. I'm finding out that there are several collectors here in the
States who have met him through the mail and enjoyed swapping insulators back
and forth. Kieran has also been to visit Laura (Van der Endt) Monckton of
Sydney, Australia, and done a bit of trading with her. Wish you weren't so far
away, Kieran, but from what I hear, you have lots of good bottle collecting
friends over there and by talking insulators and attending shows, you have done
your best to promote our hobby.
On the left is Kieran Shanahan, the only known collector in
New Zealand, and
on the right C. W "Moose" Pyros.
A recent letter from C. W. "Moose" Pyros (Burbank, CA) included
this photo of Kieran and himself. Mr. Pyros did not indicate the reason for his
trip to New Zealand, but he was certainly enthusiastic about meeting Kieran! The
picture was taken in the Auckland Airport. "Moose" said in his letter:
"He is the only known collector in the country and a very nice man. He is
an architect by profession and does very well. I found him because the local
newspaper did a feature on him and I called the paper. He went out of his way
and came in on a wet morning very early bringing me three porcelain insulators.
I happened to have a Lynchburg and a green California that I gave him. He is
very interested in having anybody coming to New Zealand call him. He knows of
you and I think you have corresponded with him."
In the meantime, how about some of your out there dropping Kieran a line? I
know he'd be happy to hear from you. Thanks, Kieran, for being not only a swell
fella, but a definite credit to the hobby as well.
Write to Kieran Shanahan, 26 Strid Road, TE ATATU SOUTH, Auckland 8, New
Zealand Phone: 836-8506
TWO NEW CD'S FROM FRANCE!
The first of these is a cemented three piece power insulator of greenish aqua
glass embossed EIV/HT 2223. Bernie Warren (Anchorage, Alaska) found this one in
Australia and brought it to me at the Eastern Regional in Nashville, Tennessee,
last March. As most of you already know, EIV is for SOCIETE EUROPEEN D'ISOLATEURS
EN VERRE, or European Glass Insulators Association. Insulators so marked
are manufactured by Saint Gobain Glass works in St Yorre, France. This company
is a subsidiary of Sediver, International as well as a major shareholder. The
new CD# is 366.
It is not at all unusual to find French insulators on lines in Australia,
since they were definitely imported at one time for use in that country.
Above is the newly assigned CD 366.
Our second newcomer is CD 625. It was loaned to me by John T. Underwood
(Wauchula, Florida) so I could make a shadow drawing and get measurements.
Happily it did warrant a new CD number! This triple skirted power insulator is
embossed ISOREX/3l0 and is made of very dark green glass. John has promised more
information on this one soon. When he is able to verify the facts and send them
to me, they will be printed in this column. Thanks John!
Above is CD 625.
Next Month: I could be into foreign signs in a big way! Have 3 to show you
from France, USSR and the Netherlands.
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