Any information on this

[bottlerocket]

I found a "Postal" insulator. I read that they were made for the post office for communications. Does anyone's know when this particular one was made? Was it made for telegraph or telephone?
It's a little rough. It does have "POSTAL" embossed on the top but no other markings.
The angle of the picture does not show it is actually bell shaped.
Thanks in advanced.

 

[botlguy]

That insulator has a Consolidated Design (CD) number CD-210 and was made for the Postal Telegraph Company in the early 1900s. It was not designed for telephone use. We are unsure of who actually produced them for Postal but perhaps one of our more astute members can pin down the years of manufacture and who possibly made it. Near mint that piece would be worth in the neighborhood of $3 to $150 depending on what shade of green the buyer and seller agree that it is. As "They" say: "Beauty (in this case, the shade of green) is in the eye of the beholder".

 

[bottlerocket]

Thanks Jim, great information. Telegraph only huh? That is amazing. I love the history you all give on my items. This is such a great forum.
I did find out the CD120 design was patented in 1917. Can you imagine the information that passed through this insulator?
Presidential election results, news from the front lines, natural disasters, etc....

 

[botlguy]

ORIGINAL: Rehsmj
Thanks Jim, great information. Telegraph only huh? That is amazing. I love the history you all give on my items. This is such a great forum.
I did find out the CD120 design was patented in 1917. Can you imagine the information that passed through this insulator?
Presidential election results, news from the front lines, natural disasters, etc....

Careful of the typos, CD-120 is a much earlier design, 1883 or earlier. 1917 sounds correct for a CD-210.

 

[bottlerocket]

Yes Jim, it was a typo on my part.
cd-120 PAT.DEC.19.1881
Thank you so much.

 

[BillinMo]

I'm not aware of any patent for the CD 210 eared Postal design, but around 1917 sounds right. California Glass Insulator Company made an unembossed version right around then.

I think the general consensus is that ear-embossed POSTAL insulators are probably Brookfield and Hemingray products - typically the Hemingrays have sharp drip points, and the Brookfields do not.

 

[bottlerocket]

Thanks Billin,
Good info