I decided to post a few pictures with a little bit of a pet peeve attached. I'm growing VERY weary of battling with flea marketeers, antique shop owners, e-Bay ophiles and others when I try to buy collections offered for sale. This post is an education in common insulator values. Most of these folks tend to believe that their insulators are worth a substantial amount of money just because they are "old" or "antique". However, in most situations, that simply is NOT the case. I'm tired of arguing with folks when I try to educate them on the true value of their "prized" insulators!!

What you see in this picture is a very COMMON H.G.Co. "beehive" style insulator. It was produced in the MILLIONS!! Yes, it is old. But it is NOT valuable by any means!! This is probably one of the most common insulator in the world. They are generally found in the following colors: Aqua, Green Aqua and Green. They are embossed "H.G.Co." on the front and it may or may not have an "H" on the dome. (NOTE: Some of these may also have the word PETTICOAT on the back side and come in many different colors, those particular insulators have some value and are an exception to the general rule).

This insulator shown here is unfortunately WORTHLESS. It has no monetary value to a collector. It is not worth $10, $20, or even $30. It would be a stretch for me to give you 50 cents for it. I can find them by the thousands on any good railroad that had a line running beside it. Give me a day and I can get all you want and then you can try to sell them for $10!!

Really, this piece is usually one of the first insulators a new collector acquires. Yes it's pretty and yes it's old or "antique". But it ain't worth anything. Sorry Mr. Antique shop dealer!!

Please feel free to shoot this link to anybody who tries to convince you otherwise!!