Dear Jack:

First, I have a U-208 transposition with an incuse "LOCKE" marking on the flat crown. Can you give me a rough idea of the value of it? 

Secondly, can you tell me a rough value for a U-184 Harloe with the 3 embossed patent dates? Also, do you have any idea of how many are in existence? 
Clyde Turrell, NIA #1533 
Hawkinsville, Georgia 

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Dear Clyde: 

The U-208 tramp is a common variety, and also reasonably common with the incuse "LOCKE" marking (1928-1936). In areas where it is most commonly available at shows, it would have a sticker price of about $4 to $6 in brown -- and about double that in white. In areas where porcelain transpositions are not quite as commonly seen, the values might be a bit higher than that. 

We list the U-184 Harloe in the book (as of 1976) at $95. The four knowledgeable collectors participating in the pricing effort estimated the value at $100, $95, $75 and $110. 

However, there are 3 varieties of the U-184 concerning the number of patent dates and marking method (embossed vs. ink underglaze). I have no idea of how many Harloes are in collectors' hands, either in total or by variety. I do know that the most common variety is valued a bit less than the $95 book value and that the scarcest variety is worth more than the book value, but unfortunately I've never kept data on what I observed for these at shows or heard about them in my correspondence. If some collectors familiar with the relative values of these varieties would inform us, we'd be happy to publish the information in this column. 

Jack 

Emma and Tony Almeida (NIA #979, #1166, Shrewsbury, Mass.) recently reported having a "standard porcelain" 3-wire cleat with a marking of A.W., and this is a new one for us. Since these initials fit several possible companies in old directories, we won't hazard a guess at it, and the marking will have to go on our listing as an unattributed one.

Emma & Tony also sent an impressive list of pin type porcelain goodies they rounded up during the fall and winter seasons. Just a few of the items were: U-179 with P.R.R. marking, U-205 tramp, U-368 O-B in light gray, U- 397, and a U-399B Findlay. 

That U-205 transposition is one that is apparently much scarcer than some people realize. Even some transposition specialists still have it on their want lists. The U-397 (made by P.P., Inc.) is also a very sneaky TUF item, and I think most people have underrated its scarcity all along. I heard several years ago of U-397's sitting on show tables in the midwest with sticker prices under $10, yet even some rather advanced collections in the west lacked this item! I doubt that few will argue the similar item made by Findlay (U-396) is indeed a rare item.

Dear Jack: 

Recently I acquired something that seems to resemble an insulator, and a sketch of it is enclosed. Hopefully you can tell me if it's an insulator, its value, and possibly a little history of it. 

The top porcelain part is a dark brown. It has an iron shaft cemented into its bottom part, and a wheel-like device rotates on this shaft. The item at the end of the shaft is a clamp-like item made of iron. Any info would be appreciated. 
Jay Jonsberg, NIA #1739 
West Union, Iowa 

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Dear Jay: 

Yes indeed, this is an insulator item. The top portion (porcelain part, cemented-in stud, rotating guard wheel) is a hanger insulator made and cataloged by Ohio Brass Co. in the 1930's. Obviously the bottom part was made by G. E. Co. 

These are used to insulate the overhead conductor on electric trolley lines from the overhead "messenger cable" which mechanically supports them. The porcelain part is attached to the overhead messenger cable by placing the latter in the porcelain groove and retaining it with an iron yoke which goes around the insulator and hooks onto the messenger cable on each side. The bottom part clamps over the conductor. 

We wrote up the answer on this before in the CJ porcelain column (April 1974), but you may not have been a subscriber in those days. 

I wouldn't hazard a guess as to value, but certainly anyone collecting trolley line insulators would trade some nice item to obtain this interesting hanger insulator. Jack