Editorial
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", March 1983, page 3
This issue starts the fifteenth year of publishing our hobby
magazine INSULATORS, Crown Jewels of the Wire. Isn't this amazing? Well, not
really, I guess, when you consider the quality collectors of insulators. We are
just one big family sharing our knowledge and love of insulators, helping one
another. This is what life is all about, isn't it?
The bad economy has hurt
somewhat. I have had letters from collectors stating this fact. Our circulation
is not what it was back in 1975 and 1976, which seem to be the peak years. But
this is a specialized magazine, not interesting to the non-collector, and
therefore we have a small circulation compared to a general interest
publication.
The Kovels, considered to be America's antique experts, and authors
of several antique books, plus a syndicated newspaper column, really gave us a
boost by printing the following in their column:
Q.
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Can you give me any
information about glass insulators? I am just starting to collect the glass
insulators and would like to know more about them.
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A.
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Many people collect the
glass insulators that were used on telephone and electric lines. There is a
monthly magazine called "Insulators: Crown Jewels of the Wire" (Route
1, Box 475, Chico, Calif. 95926) that has articles and information about
collectors' shows and other events. They could tell you about insulator
collector activities nearest you. There also are many privately printed books
about insulators.
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At this writing I have received over 250 inquiries from all
over the United states, and the letters are still pouring in. I send nearly all
a sample copy (January of February issue) and have enlisted Clarice Gordon's
help in answering questions. This should help book authors, advertisers, subscribers,
clubs, shows, and all of us. A great big THANK YOU to Ralph and Terry Kovel.
You're our kind of people.
Have you ordered your 14th National Insulator
Association commemorative insulator yet? This year the color is
"Rochester" lilac, and it is truly a beautiful color. You realize, of
course, these are limited to a certain number manufactured, so they do increase
in value each year. Some of the early ones are now selling at fantastic prices.
Personally, I wouldn't part with mine.
Also, this year McDougalds are having a
10th Anniversary N.I.A. commemorative insulator made. There will be five
different colors, with approximately 250 made in each color. I predict these
will also be an investment item, increasing in value with each passing year. So
don't miss out. See our ad section and order yours today, before they are all
sold out.
Some of you newer subscribers will be disappointed that your names and
addresses do not appear in this Directory. They were received too late to be
included, and we are sorry.
We try hard not to make any errors, so if you find
that we have listed your name, address, or phone number incorrectly, please let
us know right away, and we will make the necessary correction in a future issue
of Crown Jewels.
Again I want to thank each and every one of you for your faith
and trust in me by continuing your subscriptions and advertising, the many fine
people who contribute articles every month, Myrtle who deciphers our sometimes
scribbled writing and makes very few typographical errors, and her family who
helps. The last three years when I've had to be in and out of the hospital so
often, a big Thanks to my daughter Doreen, my family, and personal friends, who
have taken over and kept Crown Jewels running so smoothly. Other than being
printed later in the month, you hardly even knew I wasn't at the helm. So
THANKS, everyone. Things are going to be better, I promise.
Dora
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