Expert: Bob Berry - 9/21/2011

Question
I have a Whitall Tatum Co. No 511A ruby red glass insulator with a 21 on it and also a triangle with wt inside it. Could tell me what it might be worth ? It's in excellent condition. Thank you for your time&effort.

Answer
Hi Jim,

Your insulator is a power distribution insulator made by the Whitall Tatum company based out of millville, NJ in the 1930s.  They made this style in amber glass to compete with the brown porcelain that was more popular at that time.  Yours is the earlier version that is a deep red color.  Later they moved to more of a dark amber or brown color.  Insulator collectors have developed a numbering system for the various styles and this one is a CD 272.  See:

http://www.nia.org/general/cd_text/cd272.htm

And a more general list:  

http://www.nia.org/general/g_natpt4.htm

The red amber pieces are quite a bit tougher than the dark amber ones.  In good shape I'd say yours is $25-$30 where the same style in clear or brown amber would be $8.00 or so.

         Hope this helps,  Thanks, --Bob