There I was happily thinking a Hemingray 42 was a Hemingray 42. Then this newbie started cleaning them.

I know there's a price guide and an online version and I am inclinded toward the online version hoping it would have automatic updates available. Pictured are 3 hemingray 42's - a mint green and 2 shorties. The mint green has "0_4." while yet others have 10B or 18A or 3E and some have an "8" followed by 7 dots in two rows - a row of 3 dots with a row of 4 dots under the row of 3 dots.

WHERE is best place to discern all of this without having to use a gazillion guides and I haven't even attempted to comprehend the EIN numbers (yet).

Does one have to check different sources for all the variants in say Hemingray 42. When are colors normal versus rare or unusual?

This newbie is both excited AND in overload trying to sort through 260+ insulators - LOL Did I mention embossing errors .....ARRGGHHH

The pages and members of ICON have been great. 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure how to spell insulator let alone know one from the other. Where do you find Mentor's in your area if there are any and do they charge fees?

So the best guide is???