Save that wood! For collectors, historians, and me! Indeed, these old pins, side-brackets, cross-arms etc. have become very popular with collectors of late. These old, weathered pieces of wood can be displayed as is or with insulators mounted; the result of which can really add interest to your insulator collection. So when you are out in the mountains or desert don't leave the wood behind to eventually rot or burn - bring it back, display it, trade it or sell it - you'll be glad you did. And many collectors will thank you too!

1. Two side-brackets of the style used by the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Company of San Francisco, circa 1875.

2. A close up view of an E.C.& M. side-bracket fastened to a branch with square-cut nails, circa 1875.

3. Another E.C.& M. side bracket nailed to a squared pole. This piece, which is heavily but beautifully weathered, laid on the desert floor for many years before being brought home and saved by a thoughtful collector, circa 1815.

4. This side-bracket, with much of its original red-lead paint still intact, was nailed to this pinon pine by a construction crew of the California Electrical Works in 1880. Although California Electrical Works bought out E.C.& M. Co. of S.F. three years prior to this construction, C.D. 123 E.C.& M. insulators were used on this line. And although the insulators have been missing from the brackets in photos 2 & 3 for many years the E.C.& M. insulator on this piece was removed very recently (and the bracket and branch left behind). Peacock blue and amber E.C.& M.'s were used on this line.

5. A wood block suspension insulator from the First Transcontinental Telegraph line, circa 1861, still nailed to its original pole. These can be found mounted to either crude tough cut poles or in this case a square cut pole. Many collectors haven't any interest in these because they are not "pretty glass" insulators, but when you stop to think about it, we have a very historic piece here.

6. Another very historic piece to have displayed in one's collection is an original pole and cross-arm from the telegraph line that accompanied and ran adjacent to the First Transcontinental Railroad, in this case the western C.P.R.R. section of the railroad, circa 1869.