NATIONAL - Just Another Afternoon Digging Insulators

Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", September 2000, (Insert) page 24

Justin Behrens, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Heartbreakers - That is the topic I chose for this display. Most of my collecting has been done at a dump site where I have had a chance to find lots of interesting pieces of glass. However, most are damaged and are not repairable. True heartbreakers! A recent lead on another group of insulators that have been protected from snow and ice during the winters gives me hope that I may find some insulators that are whole!

Justin says: I began to collect CD 106 Hemingray-9 insulators three years ago, since I got several from a dump site north of Brookings, South Dakota. My interest began when I inquired about "Crown Jewels of the Wire" magazine which my friend and hobby mentor, David Dahle, was receiving. I have had to learn the hard way, rather than the easy way, to gain experience on how to identify insulators by CDs and colors. I would consult David, starting with the common types and working my way up. 

Hemingray/No 9 missing the embossing.

The Hemingray-9 (WITHOUT embossing on the front) I found at a dump site. I dug it out of the ground where it was half buried. I thought it was common until I saw the front without the embossing. I knew David had acquired one similar to mine at an antique store for a buck! 

My favorite insulator is the broken Hemingray that has the amber in it. It would probably be worth $200 if it were all there. 

I am looking for a dark green Hemingray-9 for it has great color appeal. And I also want all Hemingray-9s because they offer such an array of colors, embossings and some unusual mold shapes. I enjoy the variety of drip points, errors, underpours, bubbles and milk.

Amber-laden heartbreaker!

A billion bubbles in aqua and a Hemingray blue.

Justin Behrens