Letters to the Editor
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", February 1982, page 34
Greetings:
While I no longer collect insulators (deciding
a couple of years ago to put all my time and money into books), I left the hobby
with many fine memories. I also left without sharing with fellow collectors a
cleaning technique which I found to be immediate, always effective (no matter
how hard and black the coating was), and relatively inexpensive.
I always used
"Easy-Off" oven cleaner. One caution here -- the foam type which comes
in the aerosol spray can is the one to get; the solution in the jar which you
"paint" on is worthless. Spread a plastic garbage bag on the floor.
The oven cleaner is quite strong and will go right through newspapers. Cut-down
cardboard cores from rolls of paper are useful in keeping a round-top insulator
stable while in an upside-down position. After generously coating an insulator
with foam, you may let it sit for about a minute and can actually watch the crud
"melt" and run off the sides. Do the inside in the same fashion and
then wash with soap and water (wear rubber gloves).
I found that I could clean
six insulators thoroughly with one regular size can. Hope you and your readers
find this technique has merit. All the best to you and yours...
Michael W.
Dowhan, Jr.
6 East 30th St. (#3)
New York, NY 10016
#958 (1979 Directory)
NIA
#1524
Dear Dora,
I just recently went to a show in London, Ohio, hosted by the
Blairs and Drummonds, and it renewed my faith that Insulator collecting is still
alive and well.
I think a recent article in Crown Jewels by Steve Blair, where
he stressed the necessity for local shows, is very true, not to detract from our
National Show which is also important.
We have a different type of beginning
collector now. They do not have the resource or availability some of us had
years ago when we were beginners. So therefore we have to offer them as much
help as we can, and I think one way to do it is to make local shows available to
them.
In closing I would also like to say that it would be real tough for
Insulator collecting to survive without Crown Jewels.
Sincerely,
Joe Litchford
Greencastle, Indiana
Dear Dora,
I am relatively new to the hobby of collecting
insulators and got started quite by accident -- my young son found one on a pole
which had fallen over in the woods. However, in the last eight months I have
managed to accumulate over sixty varieties. But I've arrived at the conclusion
that one of each variety simply cannot be collected. How does one decide on what
category to specialize in?
A second question: What are some suggested ways to
easily display insulators, yet do justice to their beauty?
You may want to print
the questions in the magazine and have readers send their answers to me and open
it up to discussion.
Very truly,
Ron Glondys
457 Waterford Rd.
Brandon, MS 39042
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Editor's Note:
It's very hard to tell someone what to specialize in -- that's
really up to what you favor. But it's a good idea to throw it open to
discussion. Hope you hear from lots of other Collectors.
Dear Dora,
I am sending
something else you might like. Enclosed is a photo (see cover, above) I took in central
Vermont of four deep aqua transpositions. They were between an old farmhouse and
the shed, and my guess is that the farmer put the pole there. The pole was just
braced against the woodshed, and the lines provided electricity to another shed.
When I arrived there, I couldn't find anyone. Since the shed is practically a
pile of boards, and the lines are dangling, I hope some time I can go back and
rid the farmer of this "eyesore". To me the insulators were a sight
for sore eyes. I have no idea what company made the insulators. I couldn't get
close enough.
I thought it might make a nice cover.
Thanks for such a great
magazine!
Sincerely,
Jeff Queen
Bedford Hills, New York
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