Research Division

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", October 1974, page 30

Dear Dora,

I have a couple of insulators I can't find any information on and thought you might help. Both have a one inch circle on top, and both are aqua.

The threadless (at left) measures 2-3/4 inches at the base and 3-1/4 inches tall.

The other insulator is 3-3/8 inches across the base and 4-1/8 inches tall. (Pictured below the threadless) It has a single skirt and a button at the top of the pin hole.

Both have no embossing.

Thanks for your help, and keep up the good work.
Yours truly,
Ed Patrick 
Merritt Island, Fla

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Ed,

There isn't anything I can tell you about these insulators except they are both goodies. Maybe some of our threadless collectors can help you on the threadless.

About the threaded insulator: This is the one that puzzled all of us at Hershey, Pennsylvania, when Forrest Kauffman brought it to the show. Guess we will have to wait and see if any of our readers have any info to share with us. Thanks for sending the pictures for all of us to see.

Dora

Editor's Note:

We had word from Bob Alexander of Winterhaven, Florida, concerning his letter on page 10 of the July '74 issue of C.J. These ponies are fakes. They come in amber and cobalt blue and have very shallow threads that won't screw on to a pin. So buyers and traders beware of these small crude ponies. We live and learn!

Dear Dora & Don, 

I have sketched (at the left) an insulator I have recently found. I could not find it in any books and would like to know if you or someone else knows the rarity or value of it. It is CD 121. You'll notice it is misspelled in two places. It is green and like others in all respects but this.

I am fourteen and have been collecting four years now. I have a fairly large collection with mostly common to medium. Jus' love your magazine. Keep up the good work. If this is printed please put in my name and address, as I like mail and am not in the directory. 
Sincerely yours, 
Bill Snow 
5 Dundee St. 
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

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Dear Bill,

I found your insulator with the embossing error listed in Insulators With Embossing Errors by Frances M. Terrill and Warren Olson. They rate it #6, which, according to their rarity chart and value scales, is a minimum of $10.00 up to several times the value of a normal specimen. However, in order to command this kind of price, you would have to find a collector who is specializing in embossing errors.

Dora

Dear Dora:

I just finished answering Jim Decker's question on the McLaughlin 20 (July-1974).

I have this insulator in my collection, embossed: F- Mc LAUGHLIN B- NO -20 (green to green aqua, round drips)

This insulator is not common, nor is it scarce. I believe that most collectors have missed this embossing. I would list it at $8.00 in mint condition.

I really enjoyed answering this question, as I have received much information from other collectors through your magazine, and now I get to repay a small portion of it. 
Good Collecting, 
Jerry Colby, 
N.I.A. #388

Dear Dora,

I recently came across these spools that I know nothing about. I would like some information on them, if any, such as price, etc. They are many shades of aqua glass and very nice looking.

Thank you very much. 
Mike Issler 
273 East Shore Tr. 
Sparta, NJ 07871

P.S. Keep up the good work in the Research Division.

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Mike:

I found these, or some very similar to yours, listed in Dictionary of Glass-Ceramic Insulator Reprint by Cranfill and Kareofelas. They were listed on page 49 as knobs (no specific manufacturer) and on page 63 under Brookfield Glass insulators and knobs. So I imagine most large insulator companies made these, and it would be difficult to tell which company without seeing your knobs. As to price, you have me--I don't really know, and they aren't priced in any book that I know of. They are very attractive little pieces of glass.

Dora

Dear Dora:

Enjoyed seeing you at the 5th National. I thought it was a very good show.

Some time ago I found a CD 162 O.V.G. Co. in S.C.A. After seeing it at many local shows and also the National, everyone seems to think it is the only one known in this color.

If any readers have seen one or heard of one, I would enjoy hearing from them and knowing the approximate value it would have. It is mint except for a small nick on the left side.

Any information on the O.V.G. Co. would also be appreciated. Keep up the great work. 
Best of luck collecting, 
Brad Duvall 
19 E. Franklin St. 
Nelsonville, OH 45764 
614-753-2305