Research Division

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", August 1976, page 32

Dear Dora,

I have been given an iron insulator (see sketch below) that was dug up in a Detroit suburb. It is covered with rust and roots from being buried. Inside of skirt, I can make out the following words: 

THE IRON CLAD POLE TOP 
MADE IN
THE JOHNS PAT. 
HARTFORD CONN.

Any information you or your readers have would be appreciated.
Yours truly,
Harold Van Vleet

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Harold:

This is definitely called a feeder wire insulator. There is reference to this type or style insulator in Gerald Brown's book, Unique Collectible Insulators, pages 27 & 28, Feeder Wire Insulators, The Ohio Brass Co.; also 520,602 Insulator, Henry H. Lusoone, Hartford, Conn., filed Mar. 19, 1894.

But none of these are the identical style of yours, nor do they have the embossing yours has.

Maybe some of our collectors out there can shed some light on this embossing.

Dear Dora,

I've had an old brass telegraph key for several years with the following name and address inscribed upon it:

L. G. TILLOTSON & Co
5 & 7 DEY ST NEW YORK

I know there were threadless insulators made with the Tillotson name, and wonder if you have any information concerning this company. Could it be that the same company made both items?

Any information would be appreciated about the Tillotson Company and our fine "go with".
Sincerely,
Steven S. Foss

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Dear Steven,

Yes, the same Company made both items. In fact, Tillotson handled everything a telegrapher needed. From the address on your brass telegraph key, we can date it in the early 1880's, according to the book Before Threads by David and Marilyn Delling. They also advise collectors to remain alert for Tillotson items other than insulators.

I feel your brass telegraph key is a prize item. Thanks for sharing with us.

Dora

Dear Dora,

Was really interested in Kenny House's letter in the June issue of Crown Jewels, pages 37 & 38, regarding a carnival Pyrex, CD 128.

I specialize in Corning Pyrex insulators and have all but four of them as listed in Milholland's reference book. I have never seen this insulator in carnival; but Lynn Stuart's Insulator Guide shows two different versions in carnival of Hemingray's C.S.A., and they are really sharp looking. Milholland does not list this, and I hope Kenny's insulator is authentic. I have seen only one faked carnival insulator, and it was very obviously "non-authentic".

I, also, would like to know more about this Pyrex, because it means I have to add another insulator to my list of "do not haves" and obviously "very much wanted".
Sincerely,
Jeff McCurty