FRENCH MADE INSULATORS FOR EXPORT ISOREX

In recent years we have acquired numerous glass insulators from Argentina made by ISOREX. There are three different models most in the dark green black glass that Verreries Charbonneaux (ISOREX) was known for. They are #233, #234 and #1099. The #233 and #234 both have rounded heads. All are embossed "ISOREX".

Several years ago we brought back from France a #233 insulator with rounded head just like the ones from Argentina. At the time Mr. Woodward assigned this insulator as a CD 445 variation. It is embossed "ISOREX". This model #233 with rounded head does not appear in any of the Verreries Charbonneaux (ISOREX) catalogs that I have.

From a 1911 Verreries Charbonneaux (ISOREX) catalog the #233 style is shown in six different sizes (#231, #232, #233, #234, #235, #236) with double skirt, groove around neck and notch on head (cable groove)

A 1912 Verreries Charbonneaux (ISOREX) catalog shows a model #1037 that appears almost identical in shape with rounded head and exact in size to the #234 as those found in Argentina.

Was the #1037 the model they used for export and styled the #233 and #234 after? It is our belief that the series #1000 ISOREX was their export line. It includes the #1000; the #1030 (CD 494) that has only been found in Australia; the #1039 the ISOREX version of the CD529 Verreries de Folembray made for the Italian market; the #1042 found in Belgium and France; the #1043, and the #1048. The other known insulators in this series are; #1020, #1024, #1025, #1035, #1036, #1039 and #1040 have never been found. The #1099 (found only in Argentina) does not appear in any catalogs but should now be included with the "export" group. This 1912 catalog shows the #231-236 series with a Verreries de Reims embossing, with double skirt, groove around neck and notch on head (cable groove).

Dimensions for the rounded head Argentina insulators are:

(a) #233 is 98 mm x 70 mm (3-27/32" x 2-3/4"). It is embossed ISOREX on one side and 233 over F.C.S.F. on the other. The F.C.S.F. is the railway "Ferro Carril Santa Fe". This line dates back to 1888. The insulator is in very dark green. 

(b) #234 is 117 mm x 88 mm (4-19/32" x 3-15/32"). This is also embossed ISOREX on one side and 234 over F.C.S.F. on the other. It comes in two colors: dark black green and a slightly lighter green.

ISOREX #1099

The #1099 insulator is a mystery. None of the catalogs I have show this insulator and there are no drawings that even look vaguely like it. It is 112 mm x 82 mm (4" x 3-7/32"). Several of these have been found with various embossing.

For those interested in the history of the Verreries Charbonneaux et Cie, the word ISOREX was the trademark used by the founders of the company. ISO- the first three letters of "isolateur" French for insulator and REX-Latin for king. 'The king of insulators". This information was given to us by the grandson of the founders who we met and had lunch with in 2001. He was 83 years old.