Glass insulators once adorned the tops of every telephone and telegraph pole in the country!   Most were green, as this is the least inexpensive to manufacture.   The wooden dowel would be inserted in the pole cross bar and the insulator then screwed on in preparation for the telephone, telegraph, or electric wire.   Insulators are considered a “dime a dozen”, but are of some interest to collectors.   If you can find one other than green or clear – it might be of considerable value.

The Brookfield Company, Cliff Street, NYC was a major supplier in the late 1800’s.   The name Brookfield on an insulator is very common!   How many of us thought we had a major find when we saw Brookfield on that old insulator we just purchased?