This page answers frequently asked questions about Hemingray insulators.
If you have a question about insulators in general, please read the Insulators.info FAQ.
1. Was my insulator manufactured by Hemingray?
Refer to this chart to see if your glass insulator was manufactured by Hemingray. Hemingray ONLY manufactured glass insulators (not ceramic, porcelain, rubber, or plastic insulators.)
If your Hemingray insulator is embossed with a style number (such as HEMINGRAY-42 or Nº16), you can look up your insulator by style number. Otherwise, try the Identify Your Insulator page.
4. What do the numbers on my Hemingray insulator mean?
If the number is directly after "Hemingray" (such as Hemingray-42 or Nº16), that is called the insulator's style number. Some Hemingray styles are comprised of letters, words, or a combination, such as: T.S., E2, Nº1 Provo Type, Muncie Type, etc.
Newer Hemingray insulators (produced after 1933) also have mold numbers and date codes, such as "6B-46::". Refer to this page for more information on how to decypher these letters and numbers.
5. What are those "bumps" around the bottom of my insulator?
Those "bumps" are called drip points. Hemingray patented drip points on May 2, 1893 as "teats" for drawing moisture off of the insulator. Hemingray produced two styles of drip points: sharp drip points (1, abbreviated "SDP") and, later, round drip points (2, abbreviated "RDP"). Some later Hemingray insulators were also produced with a corrugated base (3, abbreviated "CB")—a rough, cross-hatch style base which is not considered a form of drip point, but essentially served the same purpose. Hemingrays were also commonly manufactured with a smooth base (4, abbreviated "SB").
6. Where can I sell my Hemingray insulators?
My collection is highly specialized, so I am only interested in purchasing insulators that are on my Wanted List. If your Hemingray insulator is worth $5 or more,
is generally a good place to start. On the other hand, if you're looking to sell a box full of very common $1 insulators, you're better off just donating them to a local antique/junk/thrift shop, giving them away to kids, or using them as indoor/outdoor decorations.
and see how many other people out there have the same insulator you do and how much they're selling for (and, more importantly, if there are any bids!)
Those "bumps" are called drip points.