what do the #s mean?

[poorboy]

I just bought a couple of Dominion - 42 with the Din the diamond. Below the diamond is another #. One has a #12 and the other a #17. What do those #s represent?
Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am just getting started and want to learn all about the different markings.

[Sluggo]

Hi there,

Welcome to this fun, nutty, crazy hobby we call insulator collecting.

I'll take a crack at answering your question. When I started collecting insulators more than 30 years ago, I too was fascinated by the variety of numbers around the <D> on the Dominion-42s. 20 plus years later, once I got more seriously into collecting and got my first price guide, I finally learned what those numbers are.

The numbers and their positions around the diamond represent a mold number and/or a date code for when the insulator was made. No documentation has ever been found from early Dominion production to explain exactly what the code was or how it worked. Other manufacturers used similar (but not the same) codes with numbers (and sometimes dots) to indicate the same thing on their products.

Some detail-oriented collectors may try and collect all possible mold numbers of a given insulator style, but generally, the different mold/date codes have no bearing on the value or desirability of a particular insulator.

What does usually matter is style, main embossing, colour and condition.

Hope this helps!

[poorboy]

Thanks for your reply Doug. I am going to the insulator show in Drumheller,Alberta on the 24th and hope to gain some knowledge and perhaps buy a price guide to help answer my many other questions.

[magic170]

I think i have a extra copy of the 2007 insualtor price guide if u are intrested if u are let me know and i will look for it.

Craig

[poorboy]

I think i have a extra copy of the 2007 insualtor price guide if u are intrested if u are let me know and i will look for it.

Craig

Is that the latest version there is cause I read on the net that there is a lot of info left out concerning Hemingray glass.

[magic170]

Is not the latest version.

[poorboy]

Is not the latest version.

Thanks for you're reply. I will see what they have at the show next weekend.

[Sluggo]

Hello again,

Just to jump back in here...

The 2007 version of the Price Guide IS the current version. It is updated about every 5 years. It will be another 2 years or so before we get another edition.

[magic170]

I guess mine are of the 2002 vintage then.

Craig

[poorboy]

Hello again,

Just to jump back in here...

The 2007 version of the Price Guide IS the current version. It is updated about every 5 years. It will be another 2 years or so before we get another edition.

Thanks for the info.