Letters to the Editor

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1982, page 31

Dear Dora, 

Thought I'd share another interesting lightning rod insulator with you.

About the size of most common lightning rod insulators and found in the standard two hole bracket. Two were taken from a barn here in Connecticut, and both in deep SCA. A third is clear in color and located in a southeast Massachusetts collection. Fragments of the same insulator were said to be found in the diggings at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works dump, which operated in Cape Cod from 1825 to 1888. 

The interesting part is how the cable was secured to the insulator. A strap came out the small hole in the top, around the cable and back in the hole. Somehow the strap was secured to hold the cable tight, but I'm not sure of the details. At this time the insulator housed in the two hole bracket would be attached to the building.

I'd love to correspond with other lightning rod insulator collectors. I have many others just as interesting -- so let's hear from you.
John de Sousa 
5 Brownstone Road
E. Granby, CT 05026 

Dear Dora,

Through the pages of Crown Jewels I would like to say a few words of thanks to Grant Salzman for a fantastic series of articles entitled "Me and the 143". Not only did he establish a fully workable identification scheme, but brought to everyone's attention the extensive varieties of 143's that are obtainable. His research required many thousands of driven miles and visits to see other collections, much to the delight of these other collectors. When the articles finally do end, I am sure they will be dearly missed by many, including myself. I can only hope that Grant and Crown Jewels will bring us updates on new varieties as they come to light.
Sincerely, 
W. Eric Halpin 
Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada 

Dear Dora,

Super Magazine, Super Hobby.

I am enclosing a picture of an unembossed 127.4 Hemingray, light purple? Might be used on the cover of C.J.? (See cover this issue and here.) 

I talked to Glenn Drummond, #537, who has done extended research on early Hemingrays, and he confirms this jewel. The press to manufacture it is found on page 8 of the January (1982) issue of C.J. 

The button mold can be seen half way up from the wire groove, plus a straight mold line inside skirt. 
Think National, 
Ora Beary, NIA #1715 
Venus, Pennsylvania