UD 3003

UD 3003
The "Hemingray Oddity"

Dimensions:	1 7⁄8" H × 6" W
Primary Embossing:The Primary Embossing is typically found on the front of the insulator and usually identifies either the manufacturer (such as "Hemingray") or the company that the insulator was made for (such as "AM.TEL.&TEL.CO.") Insulators with No Name or No Embossing are denoted as such.	HEMINGRAY
Years Produced:	c.1893
Rarity Scale 0. No specimens known 1. Extremely Common (millions known) 2. Very Common 3. Common 4. Fairly Common 5. Uncommon 6. Very Uncommon 7. Rare (dozens known) 8. Very Rare (less than a dozen known) 9. Extremely Rare (2 or 3 known) 10. Unique (only one known)	Very Rare (8/10)
Usage:	Unknown
Hobby Nickname:	Hemingray Oddity
Weight:Weight is an average only (or as specified in original catalogs.) Weight may vary substantially depending on many factors, including amount of glass poured, depth of the threads, mold variations, added hardware such as brass or lead bushings, etc.	47.0 oz.

This piece was first discovered in 1975 by insulator collector Sandra Drummond, and an article by Glenn & Sandra appeared in the December 1975 issue of Crown Jewels of the Wire Magazine. That first specimen appears in the photo on this page. Since then, six more specimens have surfaced, the most recent one in 2015. All normal height specimens are light aqua in color. Nobody knows what purpose this insulator served, but the most likely theory was it was a battery rest. Other theories include a salesman sample, a paperweight, or a salesman demonstration of the function of Hemingray's newly patented drip points. It has an unthreaded pinhole, but is only 0.5" deep. The insulator rests on the base and not the drip points. If you have more information on the piece, please contact me!