Good morning everyone. Offered for sale today is a NM (I'm being conservative about condition) blue American Insulator Co. CD 145 beehive, base embossed, the two-date version with the 1881 and 1883 patent dates. Whatever color you want to call it, it is not aqua. It is a quite vivid blue, likely quite similar to Hemingray blue. For those who collect American beehives, this would be a nice one for your collection as it contrasts nicely with all the aquas, greens, olives and ambers. I found this in a local antique store and was quite surprised to find this insulator in Oregon. I talked with a knowledgable collecting friend of mine who explained to me that these Americans were indeed used on the Southern Pacific line that runs between Oregon and California. Judging from the diesel smoke I had to remove from the piece, I'd say that is highly likely. Who'd have thought the railroad here would have ordered insulators from Boston, or anyone besides Hemingray or Brookfield, which were far more common? Anyway, I checked here on ICON and see that these blue Americans just aren't offered for sale often, nor do I see them too often at shows out west here. Damage report is minimal. The worst is a 3/8" x 3/16" shallow flake off the base next to "1883." There are a couple light dome scuffs and several "lehr kisses," all on one side of the insulator, and a small curved scratch affiliated with one of those kisses. I mention these only for accuracy -- none of the flaws are detracting. Several bubbles and an underpoured inner skirt, and a distorted thread cavity add character. How about $85 and that includes the shipping cost by USPS Priority mail? Okay, no takers -- how about $60? And that includes shipping.