I thought that it was time to share some new finds with you that I have received correspondence on over the past year. The first is probably the most spectacular, but depending on your particular interest, all are of interest and add to our overall knowledge of the fascinating hobby we enjoy. 

Sketch of slash top threadless insulator

The following information comes from Russell Sprague, Pasadena, Maryland. I'll quote liberally from his letter. "Enclosed is a photo and a sketch showing the dimensions of an interesting insulator I recently acquired. It was found along the route of the first telegraph line that ran between Baltimore and Washington DC. In talking with other collectors in the hobby (Russell brought this piece to the London, Ohio show last fall and showed it to several of our historical experts), their guess is that it dates to the time right after the 'bureau knob', probably used only in that area and in a small number as a trial."

"The dimensions are indicated on the sketch (see above). The wire groove is slanted downward at the bottom edges, likewise the sidewalls of the groove are tapered outward at the edges. There is a small button 90 degrees to the wire groove and evidence of another on the opposite side that appears to have been broken off. The pinhole is interesting in that it is not deep and flares out at the top, similar to the 'bureau knob'. The glass is off clear, sort of like the early Sandwich glass of that period. If all of our assumptions are correct, this could be a very important part of early telegraph history."

I had a chance to photograph this piece at London, Ohio and inspect it up close. I continue to be amazed at the variety of new finds that are turning up. This is a great addition to our body of knowledge, although much research remains to be done to determine manufacturer, specific use, etc. Thanks, Russell.

In the editor's never ending quest to add to her foreign insulator collection, she spoke with Frank Ikeman, a lightning rod ball collector from our area. Frank indicated that he had been on a fishing trip to Eastern Russia, had traveled to one of the concentration camps in that area and had acquired a few insulators. Was she interested? What a question!!! But what a surprise when Frank showed up with a CD 103 No Name in teal blue with a standard I" pinhole. Needless to say, a trade was worked out. Below is a picture of the Russian guide removing the insulator from its original resting place. (The service in this area had been shut down since shortly after WWII, so there was no danger of electrical shock.) 

We thought that we had better let N .R "Woody" Woodward take a look at this new acquisition. Here are some excerpts from his analysis. "This insulator was made in a hand press with badly fitting mold parts. There was a heavy fin around the base that was ground off, as well as the prominent one around the sides and top. However the press was of the later style that involved the mandrel being plunged into the hot glass instantly. Except for poor quality of threads, the interior looks to be World War I era. This makes me think it is quite possible the insulator is in fact US made and found its way over there during the war. However, with the two-piece mold, it would not have been made by a major manufacturer of that period. The thread is slightly undersized and reminds me of that bad mandrel that was used in Lynchburg No. 181."

As usual, Woody adds some wonderful insights to the new finds. At any rate, this is the first report of a CD 103 No Name, and we are inclined to agree that it is U.S. manufacture. It will be listed in the price guide update.

The next variation comes from Janet Bond, Antioch, California. As you can see from the picture below, Janet has come up with a very interesting CD 158.2. In comparing it with the one pictured in our reference book, it has a more pronounced lower wire groove ridge, a smaller upper wire groove ridge, and a smaller and slightly more tapered dome. There are vestiges of dome embossing on this piece, it has four segmented threads and is blue aqua in color. I had not seen one with this particular profile, but my Boston Bottle experts tell me that there is quite a bit of variation in the appearance of the CD 158.2's, much like the CD 158 variations. This one is certainly less common that the more standard style. Thanks for sharing your acquisition with us, Janet.

Unusual CD 158.2

George McGowan, Miami, Florida, proves that you don't have to walk the lines for a new find. The insulator pictured below was purchased at the Denver National last year. It is a CD 185 Jeffrey Mine Insulator, but the word 'insulator' is spelled INSULATOL. I know as I write this that this embossing will be difficult to read in the magazine, but trust me. There has been some rework on the engraving, but what is left after the rework is clearly an embossing error. Thanks for the new listing, George. 

INSULATOL

Finally, a speculation, and a good one in my opinion, from Gene Condon, North Charleston, South Carolina. Gene is the most prolific collector of the rare Salamander lightning rod insulator. Most of us have never seen one (picture missing), let alone owned one, and Gene, as of last report, had them in four different colors. At any rate, Gene writes, "I have been mystified by the name 'Salamander' on Robert D. Dwyer's July 3, 1855 patent lightning rod insulator. The insulator doesn't look like the lizard-like salamander, and no person, place or manufacturer is known with that name. 

"The other day I was looking through 19th century ads and came across one for 'Tilton & McFarland's Salamander Safe.' Huh!! A quick look in the dictionary told of the mythological salamander, describing it as 'able to endure or live in fire'. Nineteenth century folk were keen on mythology. They also called lightning 'fire from heaven '. Click! I think I have the answer now. "

I think you're absolutely right, Gene. Thanks.

Thanks to all who contributed to the new finds in this month's article. If you have some information you'd like to share, drop me a line, and I'll pass it along to the rest of the hobby, "Believe it or Not!"