February 1974 Porcelain Insulator News

Preferably direct porcelain news items and questions directly to Jack H. Tod, 3427 N. 47th Place, Phoenix, Ariz. 85018. All mail will be answered if reply stamp is enclosed, and the most newsworthy items and questions of general interest will be published as space permits.

Enclosed is a sketch of an insulator I picked up at a junk shop recently. Would appreciate any information you have on it.
Joe Geffert
203 Olive St.
Sayre, PA 18840

We printed this answer in the Nov '71 Crown Jewels, but the questions persist -- over a dozen since then. For the benefit of new subscribers, here in the answer once again.

This is a "primary fuse cutout" and was used to fuse the high voltage line to the primary winding of the pole- mounted service transformers. They were mounted on the crossarm with bolts through holes provided in the body.

The blown fuse wire was replaced by pulling out the bottom plug. Getting your hand this near the high voltage line was quite hazardous and earned the nickname "suicide boxes" for these things. The newer method of primary fusing is a ringed fuse link which can be installed from the ground with a long insulated "hot stick" on spring clips mounted on the lightning arrestor bushing next to each transformer, and you can see these on any transformer pole in your back alley.

These plug-type cutouts were made by a number of manufacturers for many years since the 1890's. They are generally about the same overall shape but differ in detail. Nearly all are brown glaze except for some early ones in white. A number of collectors are interested in these, and I know of at least two collectors with specialized collect- ions of them. Average trade value is about $5 to $10, depending on shape, vintage and marking.

The first one (at right) is a deep olive green (black unless in sunlight) and has an unthreaded 1-3/8" pin hole in the base, near which is a r-e Ohio Brass Co. marking.

The marking on the crown is in orange ink and appears to be either an overglaze or underglaze type. Robert Frizzell Houston, Texas

Your first one is a third-rail insulator for electric railways and is a common variety of these as made by Thomas, O-B and others for many years. To give an idea of the large number of these designs you'll encounter, there are 38 different patents on third-rail insulators for the 1896-1910 period alone.

Your second item is really something new to us. This is the first I knew of Thomas having made fog types other than fog-type suspensions, and this is also a new marking type for Thomas on pin types (note the round "0"). All other "THOMAS" handstamp markings are incuse type.

I am enjoying your new book Supplement B quite a bit. The information you and others have been digging up has made, and continues to make, porcelain insulator collecting so much more fun.

I noted in your new "Revised Base Trade Values" that U-623 is the identical TV as in your first supplement. Was wondering if you could clear this up. Thank you.
Vance Rightmire,
Austin, Texan

Oops! The base TV on the U-623 is correct at 3 bucks. This is the first mistake I've made since 1942 when I shot at the 8-ball and scratched. The second mistake I made was that the U-352 and U-352A mentioned on page 240 of Supplement B should have been U-339 and U-339A respectively, and I trust you can change that in your copy.

I just bought another U-297 with the customary Hartford marking on the crown like my other one, but it also has an incuse "C" stamped nearby. Is this rare, or is it an unimportant code of some sort?
Mathew Grayson
Roslyn, N.Y.

We have recently found this insulator which is a pretty blackish-gray and with incuse "NEW LEXINGTON, 0." on the crown ear. It fits your description of a "bird bath" but is a little small for me to use as a "footstool". Although it has an 11" skirt and is 10" tall, we have found a place for it.
Ed & Judy Gish
Houston, Texas

Hold it. Note in the November write-up (pages 32-33) that we stressed the difference between old classics and common, modern multis. The modern 11-inchers made by O-B with ucky chocolate brown glaze do make good bird baths and boat anchors. Your pretty and old lilly-shell item with the scarce to rare New Lexington marking should sit on a special felt pad on the grand piano by day and in the locked safe by night. 'Nuf said? Lucky devils, you.

I have a dark mottled black-gray pin type porcelain similar to U-532A, only a little heavier and with a longer skirt. It has an incuse marking "C.C.V.F." on the side of the crown in large letters. Do you know what this marking is?
Bill Dreggors
DeLand, Florida

All the markings below have accumulated since the last listings in the Oct-Nov-Dec 1972 issues of Crown Jewels. Some are new markings, and others are attributions of ones formerly listed as "unattributed".

These are markings found on all forms of dry process porcelain insulators other than pin types. The category shown only indicates the types mostly seen with that marking or the single specimen reported, and this does not preclude the existence of that marking on other types of insulators. The term "Standard Porcelain" (or "Std." means all forms of Standard Porcelain such an knobes, tubes, cleats, etc. The term "Specialties" (or "Spcl") means any form of Specialty insulators such as clamp types, fuse blocks, lamp sockets, wall bushings, conduit bushings, neon sign tube supports, etc. "Radio" means radio antenna guy strains, insulated screw-eyes, lightning arrestors, etc.

Numbers in ( ) indicate people contributing most directly to reporting of new markings here or attribution of prev- iously listed ones, or both. Some markings were reported subsequently by others also. Numbers indicate:

	Akron Insulator & Marble Co., Akron, Std. (16)
A C	Unattributed, Clamp insulators (16)
	Unattributed, guy strains (14)
A.I.&M. CO.	Akron Insulator & Marble Co., Specialties (6)
AJAX	Ajax Elec Spclty Co, St. Louis, radio (10)
ALPHA	Unattrib. (Alpha Wire & Cable?), Radio (16)
AMERICAN	Amer. Porc. Co., E. Liverpool, Std. (10, 11)
AMERICAN SUNDRIES CO	AMERICAN SUNDRIES CO., BROOKLYN, N.Y., Unattr., Spcl. (16)
A. P. C. L.	Unattributed, Special knobs (16)
A. P. CO.	Anderson Porc. Co., E. Liverpool, Std. (16)
A. S. P. CO.	Akron Smoking Pipe Co., Akron, Std. (16)
	Unattributed, Wiring devices (16)
B D	Unattributed, Headed wall tubes (16)
B.E. CO.	Unattributed, Wiring devices (16)
BENDIX	Bendix Radio Co., Radio (10)
BINKLEY	Binkley Mfg Co, Warrenton, Ed, wirehldr (14)
BIRNBACH	Birnbach Radio Co,, NY, Radio (10, 14, 16)
BONNELL	(New York) Unattrib., Conduit bushings (16)
BRASCO	Unattributed, Secondary rack spools (11)
B & T	Brunt & Thompson, E. Liverp, Std & Spcl (14)
CAPLETS	Jas. C. Phelps, Springfield, Mass, Cond'ts(16)
CAREY - 0.	Unattributed, Guy strains (2, 12, 16, others)
CAREY / OHIO	Carey Ohio Porc. Co., Standard Porcelain (16)
C.F.W.& M. CO.	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
CHICAGO	Chicago Steel Foundry Co, Rack spools (14,16)
	Colonial Insulator Co., Akron, Std. Pore. (16)
	Unattributed, Wireholders (2)
FRANK B. COOK CO./CHICAGO	Telephone protectors, etc. (2)
COOK/TRENTON, N.J.	Cook Pottery Co, Std. & Spcl. (1, 16)
COOKE WILSON E. S. CO.	Unattrib., U-98 mine insulator (11)
C. O. P.	Carey Ohio Porcelain Co., Std. Porc. (16)
C. P. CO.	Cook Pottery Co., Trenton, Std. Porc. (16)
CRAMER	Cramer & Swain (?), Omaha, Nebr, Radio (16)
	Centralab, Inc. Milwaukee, Wis., Radio (10)
CROSS COUNTRY	Unattrib., Electric fence insulators (1)
C. S. I. Co.	Colonial Sign & Insul Co, Akron, Std. (16)
C. S. & I. Co.	ditto, Standard Porcelain (7)
C. S. KNOWLES	C. S. Knowles Co., Boston, Specialties (3)
DAVIDSON	Davidson Porc. Co, E Liverpool, Std (10,16)
DIAMOND EXPANSION BOLT CO.	(NYC), Spcl. (everyone)
D. P. Co.	Davidson Porc. Co., E. Liverpool, Std. (16)
E	Electric Porc. Co., E. Liverpool, Std. (18)
EAGLE	Eagle Elec Mfg Co, location ?, Radio (16)
EDISON	Unattributed, Specialties (4)
E. E. P. Co.	East End Pottery Co., E. Liverpool, Std (16)
E E & S Co.	Elec Engrg & Supply Co, Syracuse, Spcl. (14)
EMICO	Unattributed, Conduit bushings (16)
EMILY	(Screw-eye clans, name unattrib) (14, 16)
ENSIGN	Unattributed, Special rack knobs (16)
ENTWISTLE	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
E. P. Co.	Elec. Porc Co, E. Liverpool, 0., Std. (16)
EUREKA	Unattributed, Nail knobs (11)
EVER READY	Davidson Porc Co, E. Liverpool, N1 Knbs (16)
FAIRMOUNT	Fairmount Elec & Mfg Co, Phila,clamp ins.(16)
FARM MASTER	(Wards or Sears), Elec fence insuls (14, 16)
	Unattributed, Strain insulators (9)
FLERON	M. M. Fleron & Sons, Trenton, Radio (10)
	Unattributed, Dry process spools (19)
GATE INSTALATOR	Accessories Mfg Co. Chicago, Fepce (4)
GEE PEE	General Porc Co, Park'sbg, Nail knobs(14,16)
GLOBE	Globe Porc. Co., Trenton, N.J., Std. (16)
GOODRICH/CHICAGO	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
	Hart Mfg Co, Hartford Specialties (14, 16)
HALL	Unattributed, Special 2-groove knob (16)
HARDWICK HINDLE, INC.	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
HARRIS	J R Harris Pat 1,302,158, 4-29-19 (11, 18)
H. F.	Hartford Faience Co, Hart'd Std,Spcl(15,16)
H. F. Co.	ditto (16)
H & M	Elm City Engrg Co, New Haven, Ct., Spcl (14)
H. P. CO.	Unattributed, Standard Porcelain (13)
H. T. P. Co.	Unattributed, Specialties (2)
HUDSON	Unattributed, Standard Porcelain (10)
	Imperial Porc Works, Trenton, (Mfr I.D.)(16)
I T	Elec. Appliance Co., Chicago, Spcl. (14)
JEFFERSON	Jefferson Elec Mfg Co, Chicago, Spcl, (16)
JOHNSON	E. F. Johnson Co, Waseca, Minn, Radio (10,16)
K	Unattributed, Wireholders (16)
KANT-BREAK	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
KOLUX	Kollarth Bros., Schenectady, NY, Spcl. (16)
KONDU-BOX	Unattributed, Coduit fittings (18)
L.M.	Line Material Co, Milwaukee, Rack spools(14)
M. B. CO.	Unattributed, Standard Porcelain (16)
M. E. CO.	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
METEOR	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
M I CO	Mogadore Insul. Co (Ohio), Spcl & Std (16)
MILHAM	Unattributed, Specialties, (16)
MULLER	J H Parker & Sons, Strain insulators (16)
N	Nat'l Elec Porc Co, Carey, 0., Std. (16)
NAILIT	(G P Co,Mfr)(Parker,Trdname)Nail Knobs (16)
NAT	Nat'l Elec Porc Co, Carey, 0., Std. (16)
NCO	(-National Carey Ohio, per-above),Std. (14)
N. E. E. Co.	Unattributed, Special knobs (16)
O. P. CO.	Ohio Porc. Co., E. Liverpool, 0., Std. (16)
P	Peru Elec Mfg Co, Peru, Ind, Std & Spcl (16)
P	Porc Prod Co, Carey, 0. (Mfr Identif)(14)
	Porc Prod, Inc., Carey, 0., Std. Porc. (10)
P.P.	Porc Prod Co., Carey, O., Std. Porc. (16)
	Porc Prod, Inc., Carey, Specialties (16)
PRINGLE	Pringle Elec Mfg Co. Phila., Std Pore (16)
	Unattributed, Radio ltng arrestors (11)
P. T. - C. CO.	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
QUAD	G. E. Co. tradename on sockets (16)
R	Ravenswood Porc Co (W. Va.),Std. Porc.(16)
RACO	Raco Elec Prod Div, All Steel Co,Chi. (14)
R. E. CO.	Reliable Engrg Co, Chicago, Specialties (16)
R-H & CO.	Unattributed, Specialties (1)
RODALE	Rodale Mfg Co, Emmaus, Pa., Specialties (4)
ROYAL	Royal Elec Mfg Co, Chicago, Std. Porc. (16)
R. P. Co.	Ravenswood Porc Co, Ravenswood,W VA, Std(16)
R T & S Co.	R. Thomas & Sons Co., E. Liverpool, Std.(16)
R. T. & SONS	ditto (pre-1892 unincorp. name) (3, 16)
Sears / USA	Sears, Roebuck, Elec. fence items (8, 16)
SENSORY	(HECO, unattrib.). Radio antenna (10, 16)
S - H Co.	Snyder-Hunt Co., Belle Plaine, Ia., Spcl (14)
	Snyder-Hunt Co., Standard Porcelain (16)
SNAPIT	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
S. P. Co.	Superior Porc Co, Parkersburg, W Va, Std(16)
SPERO	Unattrib.(Cleveland.O.). Wireholder (16)
SPW	Specialty Porc Works, E. Liverpool, Std.(16)
	ditto, Standard porcelain (16)
S. P. W'KS	ditto, Specialties (u-g marking) (16)
STANDARD ELEC. MFG. CO.	(Chicago), Specialties (16)
STAR	Star Forc. Co., Trenton, N.J., Std. Porc.(16)
	ditto, Std. Porc.
SUPERIOR	Superior Porc Co, Parkersburg, W Va, Std. (16)
S.Y.	Unattributed, Special knob (2)
T and	R. Thomas & Sons, E. Leverpool, Std Porc (16)
	Unattributed, Specialties (16)
TEMCO	Trumbull Elec Mfg Co, Plainville, Ct, Spcl (16)
T P I	Unattrib (Trenton Porc ??), Split knobs (16)
TWIN TOWERS	Accessories Mfg Co, Chicago, Elec fence(16)
U and	Union Porc. Co., Trenton, Spcl & Std (16)
UNILETS	Appleton Elec Co, Chicago, Conduit items (16)
UNION	Union Porc Co, Trenton, NJ, Spcl & Std (16)
U. S. CO.	Utility Service Co, Allentown, Pa, Racks (14,16)
WEDGE	Cook Pottery Co., Trenton, Nail knobs (16)
W. E. S. & Co	Unattriuted, Standard Porcelain (16)
WOODWIN	C. W. Wood Elec Co, NY City, Spcl. (16)
W. R. CO.	Wheeler Reflector Co, Boston, Luminaries (16)
W S CO.	Unattributed, Standard Porcelain (16)
YOST	Yost Elec Mfg Co, Toledo, Spcl. (14,16)
	Elec Serv Supplies Co, Phila, Line items (5)
	Unatt. (prob. Diamond Porc Co, Trenton) (8, 16)

Thanks to readers for the Christmas cards, including the works of art with insulator ornaments and all. You readers of my greeting on page 18 of the December issue might be interested in the one I got from Roy Licari and which reads: No L to U-2 (CD point there? Jack)

Conclusion of glass and porcelain look-alikes. The glass insulator is on the left in each photo, and not all the photos are to the same scale.

1. Glass CD-168, "HEMINGRAY / LOWEX D-510", Olive-Amb. Porcelain U-267A, Thomas No. 1101 (no name), brown.

2. Glass CD-164, "McLAUGHLIN - 20" emerald green. Porcelain U-272, unattributed (no name), brown.

3. Glass CD-272, "Armstrong's 511A", dark amber. Porcelain U-506, "THOMAS" No. 1108, brown.

4. Glass CD-252, "HEMINGRAY - 62", amber. Porcelain U-540, Pittsburg No. 42 (no name), brown.

5. Glass CD-187, Brookfield No. 73 (no name), aqua. Porcelain U-81, Pittsburg No. 51 (no name), brown.

6. Glass CD-280, "HEMINGRAY / HIGH VOLTAGE TRIPLE PETTICOAT No. 1 etc.", aqua. Porcelain U-360, Pittsburg No. 50 1/2 (no name), brown.