Over the past few years, I've heard complaints by some fellow collectors that good insulators can't be found anymore. At times, I felt the same way. While rare ones are probably gone from poles for the most part, nice insulators CAN still be found elsewhere -- like at flea markets, antique malls and shops, garage sales and auctions. 

Good color pieces and rare insulators still will be the toughest to find, but there are "hidden" things about some insulators that can make your day -- even if the rare piece is eluding you. 

One is embossing errors. When you see a group of normal-looking aqua Hemingray-12's, for example, don't just pass them up. Look for a "No.9" on those CD 113 's. What about an extra "HE" or "MA" on a Hemingray-12 denoting an embossing change made by the mold maker? This could be a great "insulator search day" addition to your collection.

Another find could be an insulator with a subtle color difference. A flea market outside might have a group of common-looking insulators on a table or in a box. Out in the sunlight, hiding among the aqua insulators, you might find a sage-green piece, which is a big value difference! Another example might be embossings on familiar CD's. What might look like a regular CD 102 Brookfield from the back, could turn out to be a CD 102 Westinghouse No.3 on the front. 

Also, insulators that lean, have overpours, underpours, good bubbles, stones and other natural deformities and man-made stuff in the glass like wires or nails can also be found in your searching.

Keep on looking for the jewels in your travels. Most flea markets, antique malls and shops are restocking all the time, so it pays to return often on that chance that a new "goodie" is available for sale. Examine all insulators --- you never know what could be a pleasant surprise among the common.

Cover Photo
How close did you come with your guesses?

Cover Answers: 
CD 162 Hemingray 19, amber (Antique Mall) $11.50 
Lightning Rod Insulator, jade milk (Antique Mall) $18.00 
CD 121 Hemingray Patent, milk swirled (Antique Shop) $5.00 
CD 106 Hemingray 9, dark yellow green (Flea Market) $2.00 
CD 113 Hemingray 12, sage green (Flea Market) $4.00 
CD 162 Hemingray/Made in U.S.A., dark mustard (Flea Market) $4.50 
CD 134 Patent 1871, Yellow green (Antique Barn mall) $10.00 
CD 162 H.G.Co., electric blue (Small collection) 50 cents