Telephone insulators are collected in many countries. The European Insulator Collectors meeting will be held in the Czech Republic in July. Visitors and collectors are welcome. Contact reiser@hdm-stuttgart.de for more information.
Source: Collectinginsulators.com
Regarding your story headlined “Telephone Insulators Call to Collectors Worldwide.”
It turns out not to be true. After I read your item I contacted the show “promoter” about the so-called European insulator collectors meet in the Czech Republic July 10.
In an announcement made several months ago, visitors and collectors were welcome, said Prof. Ulrich Reiser, the event organizer. (Later, I learned that “welcome” is too strong a word.)
As of mid-May, only about 35 collectors from 10 countries were expected to attend the gathering in the assembly hall of the Auwiesenschule in Neckartenzlingen, (say that 10 times fast), about 20 miles south of Stuttgart.
(By the way, your “telephone” headline shows that you have a limited idea of the diverse uses of insulators.)
Anyway: For several weeks I tried to contact Prof. Reiser for more information. Finally, on June 4, this less-than-welcoming response:
“Yes, there will be a meeting of European Insulator collectors,” the professor e-mailed. “But is this really of interest for the community of American Antique Bottle & Glass Collectors?
“The European collectors are a group of people interested in glass and porcelain insulators; there is no organization, association or club — we just know each other and keep in contact. There is no official organization.”
The professor continued his rather stern lecture: “There is another significant difference in comparison with the American Insulator Collectors and their meetings: There is no money involved — the European Collectors trade insulators only or give them away as a gift. And we are very happy to handle it that way!
“Of course I do not know how many Europeans collect insulators — all I can say is that I personally know about 40 collectors and that’s about the number I expect/hope will be at the meeting.
“You want to publish photos? Well, at the moment we are happy the way insulator collecting is handled in Europe and I do not know if we want or need more attention, but let me discuss that with other collectors at the meeting,” the less-than-friendly prof said.
So, the insulator message seems to be: Capitalist American pig collectors stay home; we don’t want your filthy money! (OK, perhaps I exaggerate.) — Ralph Finch, Farmington Hills, Mich.
I have a number of insulators in my warehouse (gathering age and dust)I came across your email by accident (Kovels) and now am curious, what they represent and possible value/ Please advise my next step (photographing them etc. Pls let me know Bob.