Collecters of Insulators

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", July 1972, page 26

With the increases in the amount of leisure time over the past several years and with the prospect of more spare time in the future, Americans have increasingly taken up the collection of rare items as hobbies.

In addition to the more common hobbies of stamp and rock collecting, many more unusual items have been made the subject of hunting on a national level.

An Ashtabula couple, without a doubt, have taken up one of the most unusual collecting hobbies in the nation, the collection of utility insulators.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ducro, 4524 Elm Ave., started the collection of old glass and porcelain insulators after being introduced to the hobby by friends in East Liverpool, Ohio.

The insulators, which were used in the communication equipment of railroads and the power fines of utility companies, come in a wide variety of sizes and colors many of which are now very valuable.

According to Mr. Ducro, their collection now consists of approximately 75 different types of insulators, the oldest of which is from the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and is dated 1865.

The Ducros amassed their collection primarily through extensive exploration of old abandoned railroad lines where many of the insulators were simply discarded in piles along the track bed. 

Now, however, the Ducro's rely on trading insulators through the help of a national club which publishes a monthly bulletin containing the classified ads of collectors around the country.

The publication entitled, "Crown Jewels of the Wire" has also published several articles and poems written by Mr. and Mrs. Ducro on the subject of insulator collecting.

Their writings deal with the growing popularity of the hobby which has moved eastward across the country as more and more wire becomes insulated by cable.

The Ducros are now seeking odd-shaped insulators with railroad or telephone company names embossed on them. They are particularly looking for cobalt blue, red and black insulators to add to their collection.

Their most recent addition is a tan porcelain insulator found by friends on a trip to Scotland this summer.

The Ducro's, desiring to expand their collection, are now considering attending the national insulators convention in Kansas City, Mo., next June.

DISPLAYING two of the more than 75 different types of wire insulators in their collection, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ducro hold two of the more unusual Items. Mr. Ducro examines a white porcelain insulator brought back from Scotland, while Mrs. Ducro holds a unique insulator nicknamed the "Micky Mouse" insulator.

WIRE INSULATORS have been collected by the Ducros over the years through trading as well as explorations along abandoned railroad tracks.

ONCE USED by railroads and utility companies on the crossarms of poles, wire insulators now find their way into the cabinets of collectors like Mr. & Mrs. Ducro. The oldest insulator in the Ducro collection is from the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and is dated 1870.

The preceding reprint was sent to us by Sue Ducro of Ashtabula, Ohio., with the following note.

You might enjoy the article about our insulator collection in The Antiquer supplement to our area newspapers. We were also invited to display some at the public library with a friend's macrame work. Books on both subjects were included, and it was quite colorful.

We presented a program with exhibit for two service clubs and received enthusiastic response. You have several new subscribers now from our area, I believe. Are we the only area library on your list? Perhaps your readers would like to encourage their libraries to subscribe as public interest increases.