Expert: Bob Berry - 2/3/2012

Question
Hi Bob,

I'm not a collector, but after doing some research I think I have a: CD 121 [010] Dome 1 F-Skirt HEMINGRAY R-Skirt NO 16  SDP.
Does the # 1 on top of the dome, and the (what I'm calling) a blot out on the I & N add any value to this insulator? I have many pictures, but it looks as if I can only attach one. I'm not sure if you can really see what is going on, but if you look at the I and N in Hemingray you can see there is something going on there. The letter I doesn't seem to be completely/fully embossed; you can see and feel a flat spot right in the middle of the I. The N has an extra line or mark on the one side of it, and seems to effect the proper embossing. This is not chipped off glass, it looks like it was in the mold. Is that considered a blot out or mold ding?  Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Bobbie,

Sorry for the delay.  You have accurately identified your piece.  The embossing oddity is interesting to specialty collectors, but probably not so much with the generalists who drive the values.  It could be a defect that developed in the mold, gunk in the mold or a true engraving issue.  I would not consider this a blot out, but more a mold defect.  The large 1 on the dome of this (I've also seen this on CD 152, 154, 162 and 164# is pretty neat.  These features would only have a small impact on the value #$1-2 in blue, $3-5 in hemingray blue from the price guide).  Hope this helps.

         Thanks, --Bob