Research Division

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", January 1978, page 30

Dear Dora: 

I wrote earlier about the aqua Baby Battleford being found at the Hamilton Glass Works site in Hamilton, Ontario, along with two pieces of other threadless insulators. The one is definitely a piece of an aqua 726, but the other is still a question. Perhaps someone has an insulator with similar characteristics. 

It is green much like the more recent threaded Brookfields. Because the piece only includes from the base to the top of the skirt (including one inch up the pin hole), it is not possible to determine the shape above. The closest shape is the CD 739, a real bell shaped skirt. I have drawn a picture of it and its unusual base (rounded) for a threadless. Also, the taper of the pin hole is very pronounced. I would be interested in hearing from someone who has a 739 or another large insulator with these characteristics.
Sincerely, 
Jack Hayes 
13 Tiffany Cr. 
Kanata, Ont. K2K lWl

Dear Dora, 

Here are three books for the aficionados to look for. All have interesting stories and material you can't find elsewhere. Most important -- the "Electric Telegraph" by Lordereux Brecht, London, 1867; then "The Electric Telegraph" by George B. Prescott, 1860; and finally "Telegraph Self-Taught" by Thomas A. Edison. 

Brecht's book has the European approach and shows some insulators the likes of which have not been seen for a century. My copy, unfortunately, has disappeared, and it (or any other copy!) is not in the Library of Congress.

Fortunately, I still retain my prized copy of "The Telegraph in America" by James D. Reid, many chapters of which you have been so kind as to reproduce in Crown Jewels.
Best,
Roy Licari
Washington, D.C.

Dear Jack,

I am a recent member of NIA and would like to take this opportunity to write and ask you for some information on two glass insulators I recently acquired. I am enclosing a drawing of both, hoping you can identify these for me or perhaps the Crown Jewels readers.

The center hole is 3/4 in. in diameter and is threadless on both insulators Both these insulators are light aqua. Drawing is 80% actual size.

I enjoy your articles very much and also Crown Jewels. I have approximately 3000 insulators, of which many are duplicates. Of the above amount, approximately 200 are porcelain.
Very truly yours,
Stanley L. Park
17 Crestview St.
Keene, NH 03431

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Dear Stanley:

Both of your insulators are for use with lightning rod systems. Generally these were held to the building with iron clamps having lag-screw ends. The one with a side groove was held in a clamp-type bracket. The one with the keyed side went into a solid iron ring with a groove for the key on the insulator.

Both of these items are desirable to those who collect lightning rod items, but even more so if they have the metal parts.

Sorry, but I can't give you any info as to manufacturer, patents, etc. on these items. Maybe the lightning rod guys can furnish some info on these items.
Best regards,
Jack Tod

Dear Don & Dora,

I thought maybe it was about time I wrote you concerning an insulator I obtained at Hershey. It is supposed to be a Greely Patent, although I have no paperwork on it. I have enclosed a picture. Unfortunately I do not have resources to send black and white photos.

The insulator is 4" tall, 3" in diameter, 1-1/16" pin hole, 3 skirts (2 inner skirts). Embossed PATD. May 7.89. Notice a protruding area on second wire groove. There is one on each side.

If there is anyone out there who has any info. on it, it would be most appreciated.

Since moving to Arizona we have been sort of out of the insulator collecting. There aren't too many collectors and definitely not as many places to go as in New York. We really miss it. Maybe we can generate some activity here.

We had hoped to make some of the shows in California, but unfortunately I broke my leg motorcycle riding.
Must stop now.
Sincerely,
Dieline C. Coleman
9824 N. 29th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85028

Dora -

Another interesting battery item for my collection. Embossed E.S.B. Co. No. 6 as the "Bird Feeder" in Milholland's Bicentennial Edition, p. 437. Resembles an aqua dish or tray with round feet. This tray probably housed some kind of a battery at one time. Any of your battery jar collectors have any info on this one?
Thank you
John H. de Sousa
5 Brownstone Rd,
East Granby, CT 06026