1889 Baby Signals 1957

Photo of 2012 Springfield Baby Signal display
Handout (742 KB)

The Insulators

Insulators are labelled left to right, from top shelf to bottom shelf

Porcelain Baby Signals (left shelving unit)

1902 - 1920s
U-236A N-N [050]
{dry process, emb. circle in pinhole}
 1903 - 1912
U-239 N-N [200]
{New Lexington}
 1905 - 1915
U-239 N-N [300]
{Thomas, dry process, carved top}
 1905 - 1915
U-239 THOMAS [050]
{dry process, carved top, emb}
 1908 - 1910
U-241A JOHNS-MANVILLE [050]
{Pittsburg, inc}
1908 - 1910
U-241A N-N [050]
{Pittsburg}
 1908 - 1922
U-230 N-N [050]
{Pittsburg, MLOD}
 1908 - 1922
U-231 N-N [050]
{Pittsburg}
 1908 - 1922
U-232 N-N [050]
{Pittsburg 14}
 1908 - 1922
U-239A N-N [200]
{Pittsburg 35-1, MLOD}
1908 - 1922
U-240 N-N [150]
{Pittsburg}
 1908 - 1922
U-241B N-N [100]
{Pittsburg 29, MLOD}
 1910 - 1915
U-239B MACOMB [050]
{dry process, emb}
 1910 - 1915
U-242A N-N [050]
{Locke/Lima}
 1911 - 1927
U-238B G. P. CO. [050]
{inc}
1911 - 1927
U-238B N-N [150]
{G.P. Co.}
 1900 - 1930s
U-234 N-N [050]
{Unique}
 1900 - 1930s
U-236 N-N [100]
{dry process}
 1900 - 1930s
U-236 G [050]
{dry process, emb}
 1900 - 1930s
U-238A N-N [050]
{Unique}
1900 - 1930s
U-238B N-N [050]
{wet process}
 1900 - 1930s
U-239 N-N [050]
{wet process}
 1900 - 1930s
U-239 N-N [150]
{dry process, mold line to upper ridge}
 1900 - 1930s
U-239D N-N [050]
{dry process}

Tree Insulators (tree stump)

1894 - 1909
Brodie Tree Insulator
CD 162 STAR, 1901-1907
 1899 - 1925
Holmes Tree Insulator, Style B
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [060], 1919-1923
1901 - 1913
Holmes Tree Insulator, Style A3
CD 160 B [010], 1908-1922
 1889 - 1950s
"The Victor" Tree Insulator
Findlay, 1911-1927
 1901 - 1913
Holmes Tree Insulator, Style A3
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [030], 1923-1931
1899 - 1925
Holmes Tree Insulator, Style B
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010], 1908-1922
1926 - 1950s
Gammon & Averiil Twist Lock Insulator
Universal Clay Products
 1899 - 1925
Holmes Tree Insulator, Style B
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [040], 1908-1922
 1904 - 1950s
Cutter Tree Insulator
Porcelain

On the Table

1902 - 1903
CD 160 STERLING [010]
Slumped, off-center pinhole
 1902 - 1903
CD 160 STERLING [010]
Harelip
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [040]
Harelip
 1908 - 1910
CD 160 STAR [010]
Extended Inner Skirt
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [100]
Extended Inner Skirt

Glass EINs (center shelving unit)

1889 - 1890
CD 160 S.S.& CO. [010]
{Unique}
 1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [140]
{Old Script} {S.&S,CO, blotout}
 1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [020]
{Old Script}{No Date}{SB}
 1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [120]
{Old Script}{"A"}{No Date}{SB}
 1892 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [030]
{Old Script}{No Date}{SDP}
 1892 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [130]
{Old Script} {"A"}{No Date}{SDP}
 1893 - 1895
CD 160 H.G.CO. [060]
{Transition}
 1893 - 1895
CD 160 H.G.CO. [105]
{Transition} {"A"}
 1893 - 1895
CD 160 K.C.G.W. [010]
{Unique}
 1893 - 1897
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [020]
{Crown embossed}
1895 - 1898
CD 160 H.G.CO. [050]
{New Script}
 1896 - 1898
CD 160 NO NAME [050]
{bar bar}
 1896 - 1902
CD 160 H.G.CO. [050]
{Prism}
 1897 - 1903
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [070]
{ W. BF / NY // Patent}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [050]
{Stamp}
 1901 - 1907
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Novelty/Elmer, 1/2", blue/greens, ring}
 1902 - 1903
CD 160 STERLING [010]
{Sterling}
 1903 - 1905
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [060]
{BF / NY // PATENT}
 1903 - 1905
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [080]
{W blotout}
 1903 - 1905
CD 160 O.V.G.CO. [010]
{Unique}
1903 - 1906
CD 160 HAWLEY [010]
{Unique}
 1903 - 1908
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Brooklyn colors}
 1903 - 1908
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [040]
{BF // NY, Brooklyn colors}
 1908 - 1910
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Brookfield, 3/8", darker aquas}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 B [010]
{SB All Old Bridge Colors}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Old Bridge colors}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [040]
{BF // NY, Old Bridge colors}
 1909 - 1922
CD 160 B [020]
{SDP}
 1909 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [015]
{Dome #, BF // NY, SDP}
 1909 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [050]
{BF // NY}
1912 - 1914
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Flint glass colors}
 1914 - 1915
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Green colors}
 1914 - 1916
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Aqua-Blue colors}
 1915 - 1919
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [020]
{No 14}{SDP}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1919 - 1920
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [080]
{Dash 14 with 1893, USA front}
 1919 - 1920
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [120]
{Dash 14 with 1893, patent front}
 1919 - 1923
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [040]
{Dash 14}{SDP}
 1919 - 1923
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [060]
{No 14 blotout}
 1920 - 1923
CD 160 GAYNER [010]
{Pinch Dome}
1922 - 1935
CD 160 MCLAUGHLIN [010]
{FDP}
 1922 - 1935
CD 160 MCLAUGHLIN [030]
{SDP}
 1923 - 1924
CD 160 LYNCHBURG [025]
{SDP}{Type I, "pinch" dome}
 1923 - 1925
CD 160 LYNCHBURG [020]
{SDP}{Type II }
 1924 - 1925
CD 160 LYNCHBURG [010]
{RDP}{Type II}
 1923 - 1931
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [030]
{Dash 14, non-clear colors}{RDP}
 1925 - 1931
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [030]
{Dash 14, 7-up green}{RDP}
 1931 - 1933
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [000]
{Dash 14, tint/ice colors, HEMI blotout}
 1931 - 1933
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [030]
{Dash 14, tint/ice colors}
 1933 - 1934
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [110]
{Large Lettering, "O", HEMI blotout}
1933 - 1934
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [085]
{Large Lettering, "O"}
 1934 - 1938
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [100]
{Large lettering, 1934 mold set}
 1935 - 1940
CD 160 MAYDWELL [010]
{FDP}
 1935 - 1940
CD 160 MAYDWELL [020]
{RDP}
 1935 - 1940
CD 160 MAYDWELL [040]
{SDP}
 1936 - 1938
CD 160 WHITALL TATUM [010]
{CO WT}
 1938 - 1956
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [050]
{Small lettering, 1938 mold, no blotout}
 1938 - 1956
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [130]
{Small lettering, 1938 mold set, blotout}
 1943 - 1949
CD 160 WHITALL TATUM [020]
{A in circle}{1943 Mold Set}
 1949 - 1957
CD 160 ARMSTRONG [010]
{1949 Mold Set}

Hemingray Embossing Errors

1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [000]
{Stamp} { Periods and 1}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [070]
{Stamp} {C over O}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [080]
{Stamp} {E over 8 (or 5?)}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [085]
{Stamp} {E over A}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [097]
{Stamp} {T over T, 89 over 89}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [100]
{Stamp} {P over M, PEITTICOAT}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [110]
{Stamp} {PATTENT}
 1915 - 1919
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [025]
{No 14, upside down 1}
 1915 - 1919
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [165]
{HEWINGRAY No 14, o underline blotted out}
 1919 - 1923
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [180]
{HEWINGRAY-14, blot out NO 14}

Color Variations (right shelving unit)

1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [020]
{Old Script}{No Date}{SB}
 1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [020]
{Old Script}{No Date}{SB}
 1890 - 1893
CD 160 H.G.CO. [120]
{Old Script}{"A"}{No Date}{SB}
 1893 - 1895
CD 160 K.C.G.W. [010]
{Unique}
 1900 - 1915
CD 160 H.G.CO. [050]
{Stamp}
 1903 - 1905
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [080]
{W blotout}
 1903 - 1908
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Brooklyn colors}
1901 - 1907
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Novelty/Elmer, 1/2", blue/greens, ring}
 1901 - 1907
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Novelty/Elmer, 1/2", blue/greens, ring}
 1901 - 1907
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Novelty/Elmer, 1/2", blue/greens, ring}
 1901 - 1907
CD 160 STAR [010]
{Novelty/Elmer, 1/2", blue/greens, ring}
 1908 - 1922
U-240 N-N [150]
{Pittsburg}
 1908 - 1922
U-241B N-N [100]
{Pittsburg 29, MLOD}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 B [010]
{SB All Old Bridge Colors}
1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Old Bridge colors}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Old Bridge colors}
 1908 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [010]
{Dome #, BF // NY, Old Bridge colors}
 1909 - 1922
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [050]
{BF // NY}
 1912 - 1914
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Flint glass colors}
 1912 - 1914
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Flint glass colors}
 1912 - 1914
CD 160 CALIFORNIA [010]
{Flint glass colors}
1922 - 1935
CD 160 MCLAUGHLIN [010]
{FDP}
 1922 - 1935
CD 160 MCLAUGHLIN [030]
{SDP}
 1923 - 1925
CD 160 LYNCHBURG [020]
{SDP}{Type II }
 1923 - 1925
CD 160 LYNCHBURG [020]
{SDP}{Type II }
 1900 - 1930s
U-236 G [050]
{dry process, emb}
 1911 - 1927
U-238B N-N [150]
{G.P. Co.}
 1911 - 1927
U-238B N-N [150]
{G.P. Co.}
1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}
 1915 - 1922
CD 160 B [030]
{No 32}

On the Table

1897 - 1903
CD 160 BROOKFIELD [070]
"Carnival"
 1933 - 1934
CD 160 HEMINGRAY [085]
Irradiated

Backdrop and Blueprints

The vast majority of the images in the backdrop are catalog drawings showing the "deep groove double petticoat pony" that is the baby signal, or tree insulators featured in the display. There are also advertisements from electrical journals, an article from the Reference Library at reference.insulators.info, and a couple of patent drawings.

On the front of the table are 4 blueprints from the Whitall Tatum and Armstrong archives. These are copies of actual engineering drawings showing the mold specifications and embossing details. The one on the right also contains the "Obsolete 9/19/57" notation that enables us to pinpoint an end date for the baby signal.

How It Got Started

While I received my first insulator back in 1979, and actually got my first CD 160 in 1981, it wasn’t until 2002 that I really started collecting baby signals. When I initially started collecting, I wasn’t terribly picky about what I got, and walked the lines collecting anything I could find. Eventually I decided I needed to narrow my focus a little, and ended up collecting CDs. Over time, it became very difficult to pick up new pieces affordably, and my interest in insulators waned a little bit. However, I realized what was happening and decided to broaden my focus some. I had just been getting the integral CD numbers, and the first thing I did was decide to pick up all the points that I could. These also became fairly quickly difficult to get, and I ended up looking for different primary embossing, patents, and a few other things.

In 2002 my life changed when my wife and I decided to have children. Anticipating a reduction in the amount of money available for acquiring new insulators, and needing a new focus for my collection, I looked into what I was interested in that had a wide variety of insulators available in an affordable range. When I realized that baby signals were one of the shapes with the largest number of primary embossings, and the vast majority of them were inexpensive, I discovered my new interest area. The fact that they are called "baby" signals enabled me to argue that the new insulators I was getting were actually for the future "baby" we were expecting, though I’m sure my wife thought otherwise!

A Word of Thanks

I suspect that any display of this nature couldn’t be done without a great deal of help from other people. I’d like to thank some of the individuals who have helped me over the years to learn more about baby signals, and who have contributed information and material that you see displayed here today. There have been many others, too. N.R. "Woody" Woodward is always happy to share a plethora of information from his vast store of knowledge. Dennis Bratcher and Justin Stoudt in regards to Lynchburg; Brent Burger for Californa; Gary Kline’s great articles on the H. G. CO. embossing variations; Jim Burns, Jim Colburn, Matt Greyson, Mike Jones and Ken Willick in regards to porcelain; and others too numerous to get into. My special thanks to those who, knowing I collect baby signals, have pointed out or saved for me pieces that they thought I would appreciate.

Terry Drollinger and Dan Ling are especially appreciated as fellow baby signal collectors who have shared the quest for new versions, helped to compare insulators, served as sounding boards for different thoughts, picked up pieces they knew I was interested in, and generally have made the pursuit more fun.

My children, Kyrie Gibson and Ian Gibson, have both helped not only with this display, but also with my collection. At insulator shows, their viewpoint is just above table level and gives them a unique vantage point to find baby signals I need. I have greatly enjoyed their company traveling to and from shows, as well as their help looking for new finds. Ian was an extra pair of hands in the construction of this exhibit, and both of them have helped arrange and put it all together. Not to that a couple of the insulators from their collections are included here!

Finally, I couldn’t have done any of it without my wife, Samantha Gibson. In spite of not being a collector herself, she has been tolerant of my devotion to the hobby, and has even managed to give her opinion on ways to improve this display. Thank you, sweets!

Thank you to all who have helped!