After working in Modena, Italy, for one year, my neighbor brought back five Italian insulators (see photo). I have been collecting insulators for five years now, and these are the first foreign ones I have encountered. All five of these insulators were found in northern Italy, not far from the foothills of the Italian Alps.

In the picture (left to right), the first insulator was found in the storeroom of the Italian Telephone Company "SIP" in Modena and claimed to be used for telephone lines. It is clear in color and has an iron sleeve cemented into the pinhole. In the front, it is embossed 6118. There is no other embossing, and this insulator is very much like the second one. (See drawing A.)

The second insulator is very similar to the first, except it is purple. It was being sold in a Modena Flea Market for use as a paper weight. It was bought for 1000 lira, about $1.60. This insulator also has an iron sleeve cemented into the pinhole. (See drawing A.)

The third insulator was made by the Italian Electrical Company "ENGEL", and it was found in the province of Reggio nell' Emilia, toward the Italian Alps. It is light green and has some amber swirls running through the glass. This insulator has an iron sleeve cemented into the pinhole, and the two lower skirts are glued into the one upper skirt. It is 8-1/2 inches tall, and it weighs about 8 lbs. (See drawing B, page following.)

The fourth insulator is the most unique of the group. It is a clear glass insulator with no threads, loops, or openings of any kind, and the method of mounting on a pole or pin remains a mystery. It appears to have a hollow core, with evidence of a layer of dirt inside, although there is no access to the internal cavity and no evidence of a glue joint. It was found in the same storeroom with the first insulator, and, like the first, it was apparently used in the telephone service of "SIP", the Italian Telephone Company. (See drawing C.)

The fifth insulator (far right) is made of top grade white ceramic, with a high glaze similar to that on fine dinnerware. The workmanship is very good, and it has no rough spots either inside or out. It has a metal sleeve cemented into the pinhole with a diameter of approximately 1/2 inch. somewhat smaller than the others. It was found in a rubble pile at the rear of a "SIP" storeroom in Modena. This type is seen in service throughout northern Italy, and closely resembles some seen in parts of Yugoslavia. (See drawing D.)

If anyone knows more about these insulators, please let me know. I would appreciate any information you have on them.

20431 Tomlee Ave. 
Torrance, CA 90503