insulators, whats the point, whats the attraction

[SteveDodds]

Where I live there is a long stretch of old abandoned railroad that a local guy who is a friend of my family's bought and turned into a trail for people to walk or ride bikes on. Along the whole stretch the old telegraph poles are still standing. The insulators are still on top of the poles. My brother and I tore down a couple hundred yards of telegraph wire to use for an antenna. I'm sure it would be okay for me to go out and get the insulators down. My question is whats the point of collecting these. Is there a high value for em? Is there a market for them because they would have no value if I had nobody to sell them to. What is it that makes them attractive to some of you guys? I dont understand it so pull me out of the darkness and show me the light because I think it seems kinda strange

 

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[mlhudson]

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, TELEPHONE SYSTEMS WERE STARTING TO CATCH ON
ACROSS THE LAND. SEEMS THAT SOME OF THE GLASS THANGS ARE QUIGHT
HIGH IN VALUE, TO THE SUM OF A COUPLE $100.00"S EACH . HISTORY TELLS
US THAT OVER TIME, JUNK ITSELF WILL BE WORTH SOMETHING, TO SOMEONE.
THEY ARE CHEAP " NOW " BUT WILL CHANGE.

 

[insulator245]

COUPLE $100.00"S EACH . HISTORY TELLS
US THAT OVER TIME, JUNK ITSELF WILL BE WORTH SOMETHING, TO SOMEONE.
THEY ARE CHEAP " NOW " BUT WILL CHANGE.

They aren't junk, many are worth lot more than a couple hundred bucks! A good number are in the $1000s of dollars, and some worth all the way to $35,000 for ultra rare pieces.

 

[Slipperyjack47]

All I can say on this subject is that I know that several rare forms are very very valuable! I have a cousin who since he was a young boy collected glass insulators and the last I knew he had one of the largest collections of them in the world. He also showed me one time that he had 3 insulators (all the same make) that were 3 of only 7 known in existance, and told me that they were were thouands even then and that was 30 years ago!


Slipperyjack47

 

[silvercop]

i have several that i use as candle holders, some are clear and the others are blue and green

 

[wingmaster]

If that line is old enough there may be treadless ones in the ground you could dig up those are older and usually worth alot. There may even be a dump somewhere on the property they used to dump the old ones down a hill or somewhere they didnt have to go to far. When they replace a new line they would throw the old ones in the old pole holes then cover them with dirt you can research how far apart the old line were fined the first hole then the next should be that far apart. You need to research that line to find out how old it is to see if treadless was on it to begin with.

 

[RPG]

Look Steve, these guys are pulling your leg. Insulators are worthless. So please send me all you find and I will dispose of them for you.