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Hemingray Insulators 17 - Crackle Glass | Insulators57 of 112 |  |  |
Posted 2 years ago
Mrj303
(125 items)
Here are two Hemingray Insulators #17. They are yellow and clear. They have cracked or crackle glass. I cannot find these anywhere. I would appreciate any help on a year and anything you know. Thank you.
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InsulatorsInsulators were originally designed to keep the wires linking telegraphs an…
They were not made the way they are now. They cracked at some point in time due to lightning or something like that.
Actually, that is incorrect. Lightning does not cause this effect. This is created by heating the insulator in an oven and then pouring cold water over it causing it to "crackle". Then it is stained with paint. These are NOT original colors. These were originally clear. Unfortunately, these are worthless window catchers with absolutely no collector value. See more info here: http://www.insulators.info/books/fake/section3.htm
Unfortunately fakes are a fact of life for collectors and may be found in every genre. Gives us purists something to do. That does not mean that they don't have a certain appeal. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
you are right Mike, lighting does not cause the crackle effect. I know people who put them in ovens as you say.One guy puts them in his store and yes he sells them. I have found insulators in amber color but have not seen a yellow one.