Ceramic Insulator Collectors

Shop for and learn about vintage glass insulators.

Ceramic insulator collectors.

This is the culmination of more than 45 years of research and nearly 5 years of work to write and photograph all known unipart styles. In the mid 1960 s a few people began collecting these glass and porcelain insulators. The official magazine for insulator collectors since 1969 for 50 years crown jewels of the wire has been the leading publication for glass and porcelain insulator hobby news history articles with columns devoted to worldwide insulators show reports in depth research articles meeting announcements photos and other insulator information. Free shipping on many items.

The national insulator association nia is an international organization of collectors and friends interested in electrical insulators and other artifacts connected with the many industries associated with electrical power telephone telegraph railroads and or lightning protection devices. In north america glass was always the predominate material for communications insulators but porcelain has become the standard for power distribution due to its greater strength and surface resistance. Collecting insulators is a fun and unique hobby that will allow you to learn much about the history and make of these unique objects. Return to the national insulator association page.

Today there are over 2000 collectors and insulator clubs national shows and good reference books are available. Click on an insulator above for more information. Vintage insulators are most commonly made out of porcelain or glass materials and they come in a wide variety of colors and shapes making each item a unique piece that can make a great addition to a collection. Commonly made from glass or porcelain in a dazzling array of shapes and colors including amber cobalt blue olive green one shade is known among insulator collectors as seven up and royal purple antique insulators are prized for their rarity and physical beauty.

Link to other types of insulators. Collector s guide book for porcelain insulators unipart pin type. As technology developed insulators were needed for telephone lines electric power lines and other applications. This 2019 book is the newest guide book for unipart one part pin type porcelain insulators.

Insulators were originally designed to keep the wires linking telegraphs and telephones insulated from. Glass insulators were first produced in the 1850 s for use with telegraph lines. Telephone wire utility power pole insulator ceramic glazed brown black white vtg. New book for 2019.