Mike McGuire reports finding what he believes to be a third embossing style for the CD 208 CALIFORNIA "hot cross bun" insulators. 

Collectors have long observed a difference in the size of the lettering on CALIFORNIA 208's. As you can see in the bottom picture, the letters are notably taller on the insulator at the left than on the example in the middle. Both embossing styles are listed in McDougald's 2003 Price Guide. 

Mike is reporting a third variety, shown at the right. At a glance, it appears to have the smaller embossing. However, the letters "OR" are smaller than the surrounding letters. The result is that the "NIA" stands out as exceptionally larger. The differences are clearly demonstrated in the close-up picture shown below. 

Has anyone else noticed this variety? Are there other embossing varieties on CALIFORNIA 208's? Other insulator manufacturers frequently made embossing errors. HEMINGRAY insulators are known with missing and backwards letters. So are BROOKFIELD's, McLAUGHLIN's, LYNCHBURG'S, etc. Occasionally, the lettering was even embossed upside down. That happened on CD 123 EC&M's, and on CD 143 CANADIAN PACIFIC R.Y's. Crown Jewels would be interested in hearing from readers who own or who have ever seen an embossing error on CALIFORNIA's, or a blot-out on CALIFORNIA's to cover up an embossing error.

We also invite you to write and tell us where you've found CD 208 CALIFORNIA's in use. We're aware of Steven's Pass, Washington; Canyon Mountain, Oregon; Lovelock, Nevada and Wendover, Utah.