Koran Porcelain Stripe Insulator

By Caleb Thimell; posted November 21, 2007

View Original (794 x 674) 181KB

 


Here's a recently discovered porcelain power insulator that has an unusual Burnt Orange color stripe on its extended skirt. Insulator is threadless and has unusual tiny pinhole bumps designed to help cement pin firmly in place. Insulator saw service in South America.

Factory is now known to be Japanese! (Thanks Bob Scafe!). After doing some googling I discovered the following: The name Koran is Japanese for Scented Orchid! That explains the trademark symbol! The number below the name is not the date but instead identifies the insulator's resistance properties (according to old research literature).

Fukagawa Porcelain began as a family business in Arita, Japan (near Nagasaki) in 1875. Their rich history includes work as purveyor to the Japanese Imperial Family since 1910. In 1895 Ezaiemon Fukagawa founded a company 'Koransha' and started to produce porcelain for export to Europe and America. They have been making insulators since at least 1879!! They made some of the first insulators used on the island to replace the "Varley double cup earthenware" insulators used on the original telegraph lines. Still located in Western Japan today. :-)

I'll be drawing its profile and updating the U-number in the near future. Thanks.

200273519