A Collectors Guide to the "Undiscovered CD - The Brookfield 162.1"

Introduction:

"WOW, it's a miracle! We're going to let the beagle run here today"! These are the words that raced through my young teen mind when my Dad and his Uncles decided to hunt rabbits along the rail line I had been dying to investigate ever since being bitten by the (Insulatus Colectumallus) bug. The year was approximately 1976, and I had never heard of a CD number or the NIA. I did not even know of another active collector. Despite all this, the desire to own these glass gems was far from dormant within me. The pieces from this line had been the objects of my interest for quite some time. The little gems always reminded me of miniature top hats lined up on the crossarms.

That day was a good hunting day from the rabbits' point of view as my Dad had to keep drawing my attention back to the 'real' reason why he had brought me to this locale. My mind was more intent on hunting quarry a lot less fluffy than what Dad would have desired. It is no wonder we never went back there for rabbits again! Although I could just about reach the miniature pin-jewels on the bottom crossarm, I was not able to retrieve any of them. All I remember finding were broken shards on the ground.

A quest is defined:

Now we set the dial on the time machine to the year 1998. Little wonder that after a twenty year absence and then a re-entry into the hobby, the first place which came to mind for an insul-hunt was that same set of metal rails which had resounded to the howling of our beagle's enthusiasm so long ago! At the age of 36, I stand, awed, while my mind wrestles to accept that I am actually about to realize a childhood fantasy. The sense of excitement within me seems strangely unique to this specific area, and I swear I hear that beagle's booming, baritone "Ba-roooo" still rebounding off the surrounding trees. The rabbits can once again breathe a sigh of relief as the retrieval of glass 'top hats' is the only purpose of my entry into this forgotten dreamland!

I start with the same tall pole beside the road that has held the one, specific glass gem I have viewed quite often. The insulator is a 25 feet in the air and has been taunting me from its perch since I first took interest in these jewels. Taking a quick walk farther down the line, I discover... most of the poles are gone! But I scout the area, making notes of which poles are still standing and where the pieces I desire are positioned on the abandoned crossarms. Later that night, using (very little brain and) a long ladder (half the poles were tall & wobbly), I retrieve 33 pieces. Some are CD 162's, CD 162.5's, and the rest are amber swirled 162.1's. Little do I know how much these gems, once a teen's dream, now sitting in my hands, will lead me to discover in the next few years.

BROOKFIELD CD 162.1
THE "UNDISCOVERED" CD

(page 28)

AKA - THE 'TOP HAT' SIGNAL

(page 29)

Still reminiscing about the year 1998, the McDougald's have just published a new price guide. Being a "return" collector I am unfamiliar with much in the hobby. I am distraught at hearing quite a few of the collectors mutter things such as, "if these prices don't stop going up I am going to have to quit collecting insulators," and "the prices of better insulators are killing the fun of the hobby!" I resolve to find an aspect of the hobby which will keep me from losing out on the fun. Realizing most games or activities people enjoy are based on pursuing the unknown (and discovering my newfound friends/ collectors barely give the CD162.1's a second look), it makes sense that there MUST be a good deal of undiscovered history / information concerning these little 'Top Hats of The Wire'. My choice of a collecting specialty takes little mental effort. Boldly going where no man has gone before," I hope to share the secret of my fun and excitement with others. I officially start an area of specialization in "The Undiscovered CD - The Brookfield CD 162.1" (which also becomes the title of the display my wife, Tammy, & I enter in the 2003 National show). I have been amazed, during my quest, the things people have missed by ignoring these little pin protectors - they certainly are not just boring aqua pieces!

The Quest begins:

My quest starts by attempting to find how many different color variants exist in the CD 162.1 Brookfield. The most rare piece listed is the olive amber variety. Since little work has been done in defining the term 'olive amber' (for this CD), I officially find out from VIP's in the hobby that I own 3 of them before I have positively identified the color (I thought it would be more of a coffee stain color as in the CD152 Brookfield)! My dream then becomes to actually pull an olive amber from its perch in the wild (later, in 2001, John Ceccerelli helps me realize this goal and then repeats the performance in 2002 - what a guy!)

It is amazes me upon finding out that many (most?!) collectors even have trouble discerning the CD 162.1 from other CD's (specifically the CD 162 and the CD162.3). Hence, I still like to call these pieces "Top Hat Signals." The mental picture the name invokes may aid identification by drawing particular attention to the squared-off dome sported by the CD162.1 -- basically the only profile of its type that is listed in the CD '162-ish' family.

Somewhere around the year 2000-2001, when all the available colors variations (or so I think at the time!) are in my collection, the quest now shifts into undocumented territory. The decision is made to find what different moulds exist and catalog all other pertinent details. The flavor of the hunt is now one of "just how far can one dig into a specific CD sub category?"

The time machine is now set to the time of the 2003 National show. This article is a partial answer to the 'how far' question. Below is a modified version of the paper that accompanied our display at the 2003 National show. 162.1- the 'Top Hat Signal'.

(page 30)

Why CD162.1 Brookfield?

This signal display is a visual testimony that the quest for high priced, flashy colored insulators is not the only way to enjoy this great hobby. This ideal can narrow one's perspective, ignoring some of the greatest (and most exciting) parts of this hobby - the history and exploration of the unknown. Most collectors would never think a single subcategory of Brookfield CD's could produce such a varied display!

This display exhibits pieces which clarified some of the parameters in the price guide; introduced new color listings; and helped make it possible to know just how rare some insulators really are. Some of the pieces have led to information which makes suspect one of the accepted methods of dating Brookfield insulators!

Most of all, this display is a representation of some of the most exhilarating times I have had in this hobby. I encourage anyone to pick from the many available 'untouched' areas and dig deep. There must be many unknown pieces still out there to be discovered.

The Thrill of the Hunt

My study of this CD progressed as follows: 
1. The discovery that there are actually two subcategories of crown shapes -- See Figure 1 on page 32: 
    a. Chubby Crown
    b. Square Crown -

(page 32)

(page 33)

Data

Note 1: This data reflects my personal findings only. This paper does not state other insulators do not exist which conflict with this data. 

Note 2: Since the W and the OO/00 are categories of the 7 and the 00 respectively, they exhibit the same characteristic as their counterparts and therefore are not listed separately below.

Table of Characteristics vs. Mould Numbers

*This number is based on data collected from only one piece and therefore is of little use.

Other Data:

Embossing index to Mould Number cross reference
[010], [020] ....................00, OX
[030], [035].....................6*,7
[040] ............................ No #

Pieces I have never encountered: No # indices [050], [060], [070], [080]

*Technically the 6's are a different embossing than the 7's. The (R-Skirt) New York is followed by a period on the 6's whereas the 7's do not have the period. In the front of the Price guide there is a note that states punctuation issues are not all included in the different indices

(page 34)

Observed Statements

- I have only seen one 6 square crown - these may be scarce.

- I know a clear CD162.1 Brookfield exists (!) but the owner will not allow the seller to reveal his identity. Therefore, I cannot collect information on the piece to categorize it! If you are out there, would you mind sharing your knowledge?

- The Dark orange amber SDP is a Chubby 6. There is only 1 more of these known although yet another is rumored to have been seen - however, it might have been mine or the other known one (??). The one in this display has been called the darkest.

- The olive amber examples are rare. I know of only 10 total (compare this to the number of "rare cobalt Hemingray 19's you have seen at an insulator show!). Only 3 of these are 7's (all Chubbies!). The rest of these are OX-tops (and, therefore, all square domed).

- The No # mould variants have 5 embossing indices listed in the book - the most of any mould variant. I know of only 3 of these pieces being found (I have put requests over the internet and on ICON) - so where are they all hiding?

In Milholland's Bicentennial Addition Glass Insulators Reference Book 4th Revision, William L. Brookfield made a chart listing Brookfield insulators by various factors including age. One of the stated characteristics of his chart is that it "gives precedence to age". He claims insulators made from 1903-1908 were embossed "NEW YORK" on the skirt. From 1908 on, "NEW YORK" was never placed on the skirt again. Insulator collectors have used Mr. Brookfield's "NEW YORK concept" as a method of dating Brookfield insulators for years.

My study and interest of the 162.1 has forced me to "boldly go where no one has gone before" and challenge this concept. Considering this is contrary to Mr. Brookfield himself - how can I be serious? The "Undiscovered CD" cannot lie! Read on ...

In the "Calico" section of my display I have several aqua with amber swirled signals. They were found on the same pole; are the same color; and have the same amount of amber swirling throughout. I retrieved 33 CD 162 and/ or 162.1's with varying degrees of Calico coloration. Some of the 162.1's were 7's, some OX-tops, and some OO-tops (!!!).

Has the contradiction sunk in yet? If you have digested the contents of this paper you understand how this is a major problem with what Mr. Brookfield says. Why?

(page 35)

CD 162.1 BROOKFIELDS

A COLLECTOR'S PARADISE FOR TWO-TONE COLORS, SWIRLS, AND "GUNK IN GLASS"

(page 36)

CHALLENGE TO COLLECTORS

IN THIS ARTICLE, LEE BREWER QUESTIONS TRADITIONAL THINKING REGARDING BROOKFIELD EMBOSSINGS AND METHODS OF DATING WHEN THE INSULATORS WERE MADE.

(page 37)

Two options:

1. Either Brookfield made a batch of these gorgeous Calico number 7's (all 7's have NEW YORK on them); sent them to Corry, PA; 30 years later climbed those same poles; cleaned the insulators; made a color match noting exact shades and amounts of amber swirling; returned to the factory and made matching Calico NON-NEW YORK OX-tops and 00-tops to match the 30 year old Calico 7's...
Or
2. Brookfield made & shipped "NEW YORK" 7, non "NEW YORK" OX-top, and non "NEW YORK" 00-top moulds at the same time!

Which is more credible? Although the 7 mould may have been in storage for 30 years and never used, the signals are the same age, despite the embossing!

Simply put, these insulators are undeniable proof that NEW YORK and non-NEW YORK moulds were used simultaneously and therefore NEW YORK embossing cannot reliably determine when a Brookfield insulator was made!

The "Undiscovered CD" has helped us discover a hidden secret!

Closing Comments:

There is one more item I feel needs put into this article. That is the fact that people have a hard time distinguishing the 162.1 from other Brookfield signals. Remember a 162.1 always has an almost straight drop from its crown. When the drop meets the upper wire groove lip, the lip protrudes outward without a gentle slope as in other CD 162 variants.

The one exception to this rule is the CD162 [215] "{Narrow Dome}" variant. Included with this article is a picture of the CD 162 [215] beside a "Square Crown" CD 162.1 (the 162.1 variant which the [215] most resembles). Note the CD 162 [215] shows an almost straight drop from the dome downwards. But when you reach the wire groove lip, the slope of its protrusion is much more shallow than that of the162.1 (See Figure 2 on page 33). Yes, they both have a square crown, but the horizontal distance from the square side of the crown to the outside edge of its upper wire groove lip is greater than that of the CD162.1. The skirt of the 162 [215] also has a greater flare to it than that of the 162.1. When a person has one of each in their hands, they are easy to tell apart.

I hope this study will be an inspiration to others that there is a lot of fun still to be had in this hobby. Specializing in a sub-category (like the forgotten CD162.1!) can bring about a multitude of surprises and collecting fun.

Credits: Insulators pictured in this article are owned by Lee Brewer and Bill Ostrander. Pictures were taken by Lee Brewer and Howard Banks.