Table of Contents
Is there a market for glass insulators?
On average, these glass insulators tend to sell for around $20, though there are special instances where insulators can sell for significantly more than that. Generally, the insulators that sell for more are rare, either because of their manufacturer or their color.
Which glass insulators are most valuable?
Most Widely Popular Glass Insulators – Based primarily on overall collector perception, at any collecting level, of the most widely popular insulators in the hobby, common to rare.Most Desirable CD Styles. Rank CD Votes 1 CD 257 (Mickey Mouse) 25 2 CD 145 (Beehive) 25 3 CD 162 (Signal) 22 4 CD 102 (Pony) 18.
How much is my insulator worth?
Naturally the more damage an insulator has, the lower its value. Insulator price guides generally give a range of values (e.g. $20-30). The high end value is usually Mint (no damage), and the low end value would be Near Mint (some damage). More extensive damage would be valued even lower.
What can you do with old glass insulators?
Old glass insulators are a popular item for numerous craft projects, upcycling projects, decoration projects and the fact that they are very cheap and relatively easy to find makes them a great material for DIY projects – lamps, succulent planters, garden lamps, table decorations, etc.
What is a vintage glass insulator?
Vintage Glass insulators were first produced in the 1850s for telegraph lines, then for telephone and power transmission lines. They insulated and protected the wooden poles from the electricity coursing through the wires. They are made from glass, porcelain, or composite polymer materials (non-conductive materials).
What do the numbers on glass insulators mean?
The first number (MM) is the mold number, and the second number (YY) is the year (plus 1900) when the mold was made. Thus, “23-42” is mold 23, which was made in 1942. In some transition cases, the number 9 was used to represent 1939 and 0 to represent 1940.
How much is a Hemingray glass insulator worth?
What Are Hemingray Insulators Worth? Because the Hemingray-42 insulator is one of the most common, they tend to be an affordable collectible. Most sell for under $10.
How do you date an old insulator?
Look for a circle with an A in it. If it is followed by two numbers, the first number is the mold number and the second number is the year +1900 the insulator was made. For example, (A) 39 49 means the insulator was made in 1949 with mold #39.
Are glass insulators still used?
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s many of these lines were dismantled as technology advanced. Today, a few lines using glass insulators are still in service, but are only a tiny percentage compared to the heyday of open wire communication.
What is a Hemingray glass insulator?
Hemingray Glass Company. The Hemingray 42, a telegraph pin insulator produced by the Hemingray Glass Company, is widely found in North America. Formerly. Gray & Hemingray. Gray, Hemingray & Bros.
Why are glass insulators different colors?
In insulator circles, anything not clear or aqua is considered colored. Aqua and clear were the default colors. Because of the iron content in the glass, most of the insulators came out a little green, that’s the typical aqua color you see and it’s very common. That’s why you get fancy colors sometimes.
How do you clean vintage glass insulators?
Use white vinegar to remove water residue and accumulation from years of the insulator weathering on the pole or lying in a field. Pour white vinegar in a deep bowl, and let the insulator soak overnight. Brush its teeth and threads the next morning. Rinse with clear water to remove the vinegar.
How many types of insulators are there?
The five types of insulators are: Suspension insulators. Pin insulators. Strain Insulators.
How old are ceramic insulators?
Porcelain insulators had their start when local potteries began making telegraph insulators in the 1850’s and 1860’s. These crude early pieces were usually threadless and were produced in much lower quantities than their glass counterparts, and few have survived the years.
What is an insulator light?
Glass insulators are no longer manufactured. Insulatorlights are made from reclaimed glass insulators. Insulators have been cleaned, polished, drilled, lamped, and are ready to hang.
What are Hemingray insulators used for?
A. Hemingray insulators were used for a variety of purposes, but the primary goal was always the same: to insulate an object from another object, whether that was a telephone pole, telegraph pole, power line, lightning rod, or battery platform.
What color is the best insulator?
Properly working insulation should be a yellow, white, green or pink color depending on the manufacturer. Move the insulation on the basement ceiling around a little bit (just use a wooden spoon or other object to push it back and forth) to see if it has darkened.
How old are Hemingray insulators?
The earliest Hemingray insulators are likely lightning rod insulators from the late 1850’s. The last Hemingray insulator was made in 1967. Over the 100+ years of production, they made billions of insulators, in-fact in 1937 they had made there billionth Hemingray insulator!.
Why do people buy glass insulators?
A: Insulators are those glass or porcelain things you see on the tops and crossarms of telephone poles. Their purpose is to insulate the electrical wires they carry, so that electricity (or telephone calls) don’t all leak into the pole and into the earth. Insulators were invented to fulfill this need.
