It was during the week of March 16, 1969, exactly 38 years ago. The debut issue (March 1969) of Crown Jewels of the Wire was mailed out to its first subscribers. A copy of its cover appears here and has been followed up by an image of the periodical's masthead (see next page).

*Dora Harned was Editor *Doreen Harned was Associate Editor *Don Harned was in charge of Advertising *Production was by Richard and Myrtle Scharffenberg.

The March 1969 issue sported 36 pages (not including the inside and outside covers). I believe there were around 100 subscribers.

Crown Jewels followed in the footsteps of Western Collector Magazine's monthly insulator column, edited by Claire McClellan (commencing in May 1967) and Old Bottle Magazine's "Insulator ByLines" monthly which began in July 1968, edited by Frances Terrill. There were a LOT of incredible discoveries in those days! The formentioned insulator hobby pioneers including Dora Harned did a terrific job reporting the latest exciting finds!

Crown Jewels was the first magazine dedicated to insulator collecting. Claire McClellan continued with her post with Western Collector until about 1970 and Frances Terrill retired from Old Bottle Magazine in 1973.

If only these insulator hobby pioneers could be here today.... "standing up in front of the class" receiving the five-star applause they will forever deserve!

Sincerely,

Joe Maurath, Jr.

Old Bottle Magazine "Insulator By-Lines" Monthly Editor: 1974-1981; Western Collector Magazine "Insulator Hot Line" Guest Columnist: 1969-1972

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