Hmmm, theme day comin' up. Topic: Mystery Object.
Shall I post something I find to be mysterious?
Or just enlarge an image until it's unrecognizable?
Here is it's info from a collectors' website:
"The No. 42 is a double petticoat type, with a long, smooth leakage path
on the inner petticoat. It sits close to the cross-arm, thus giving the pin protection against rain splash. Its threads are accurately formed
for a tight grip on the pin. The wire groove is a modern square type shown in Spec. 1-A-33 of the Association of American Railroads, and is accepted as standard for most telephone construction."
Hell, I just think they're pretty and have been fascinated by them
since childhood, when I first noticed them atop telephone poles.
Now I have three of my very own.
To see other mystery objects,
click to view thumbnails for all participants
14 comments:
Yes, I know what they are, but not what they are called. I don't think in Australia they are made from glass, but instead from enamel. You photos, at first glance, look like collectable bottles.
Not enamel ... another word that won't come to me ... oldtimers ...
They're made in enamel-glazed porcelain, too, Julie. I just don't think the glass ones are used much anymore. At any rate, at least since so much wiring has gone underground or is non-existent.
Thanks for dropping by.
Woah! Glass insulators! Those are a spectacularly beautiful colour, Speedway. Over here they're usually dirty white or yucky brown.
Now I'm suffering from insulator envy. Hee hee.
Well, they do keep me from being shocked ... by much. I thought the copy for their description was a bit naughty.
Look around, they can be gotten on E-bay for anything from $1-$30. I bought mine at yard sales for about $1 or so, so get a might peeved when they're $30. That may be why I only -*only?*- have the three.
I collect insulators and had no idea they were so beautiful close up. Fabulous. And they were so popular on the telephone poles throughout the us. Americana.......
Hello, GBDP! Thank you for dropping by.
When I was little, I liked the way the sun glinted off the glass ones. I love their shapes and the way the light creates shapes and shadows through them. I only have the aqua ones, but will probably expand to red and green down the road. They are just so cool.
great choice for theme day. i like the glass and blue light
Thank you, Julie. I was surprised myself at how vibrant the colors are. I did pour water on them and the concrete step where I took there picture. It gave them deeper shades of blue, I think, than the dry step would have.
How absolutely fascinating. I love this too. Like old glass which I suppose is what it is.
Hi, Jilly. I think my insulators are about 80-90 years old. They are pretty substantial, heavy glass meant to tolerate the weather.
I can remember finding a few of these at my grandmother's house years ago. They are quite the collector items now. What a great "mystery photo" for the day!
Bises,
Genie
Thank you, Genie. The insulators are just so pretty when the light shines through them, I couldn't resist. Also, they're quite heavy and feel good in the hand; exploring their molded nooks and crannies is interesting.
I love your photo Speedway. I remember seeing these as a child and thought they were pretty then. I wish that I had some.
Check E-bay and yard sales. I found mine at yard sales for about a dollar or two each. As I've said, I think the $30 or so some people are asking is a bit much.
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