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#2421        735          CHESTER.        Aqua.

  Lot # 2421
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Details
  • Lot # 2421
  • System ID # 581119
  • End Date
  • Start Date
Description

#2421        735          CHESTER.        Aqua.   

This "pilgrim hat" style threadless insulator was produced in the 1860's.  The 735 style is found with three different supply company embossings.... "Chester," "Tillotson" and "Mulford & Biddle."   The Chester units are under-rated in comparison to the other two, with fewer examples available for purchase.

A small number of Chesters have been found along the Union Pacific Railroad right of way in Nebraska and Wyoming.  Aside from those few examples, the majority have been discovered in British Columbia, Canada, where they were used mostly on the 1866 segment of the Collins Overland Telegraph Company line.  Portions of the “Collins line” were built in 1865 and 1866 as part of a grand project devised to link America with Europe.  

Telegraph communication had been completed across America in 1861.  In 1864, a telegraph line reached northward from California to the State of Washington.  Materials from New York had arrived in British Columbia in June, 1865, and wire was strung in the general course of the Fraser River and Cariboo Wagon Road, to a point slightly beyond the town of Quesnel, by the close of the season in September.  The 1865 construction consisted of 735 Tillotsons. 

In May, 1866 construction started once again 18 miles north-west of Quesnel, using 735 Chester insulators.  Work progressed for 378 miles until operations were shut down again for the winter.  By that time, a successful Atlantic cable was in operation, so the Collins project was halted and the 1866 portion of the land line was abandoned.  Due to more extensive searching by collectors on the Tillotson section many years ago, more Tillotsons have been found, resulting in the Chester examples being offered for sale less frequently.

A little shallow surface flaking on the base is minor.  Remainder of insulator in exceptional condition!!!

Sparkling shiny surface....not many around in such nice condition!