Antique Glass Insulators / Green Pony SF and Star Embossed (Set of 3) (Pre-1910)

Both the S.F. and Star embossed maker’s marks are mysteries in insulator history. 
 
The S.F. brand may have signified the city of San Francisco, the S. Fobes company, or the Santa Fe Railroad, but it may have also been used by other makers. See https://www.cjow.com/archive/article.php?month=4&a=04SF.htm&year=2006 for more information.
 
The embossed star brand insulators are more of a mystery, possibly a simple mark used by many different manufacturers. See https://www.insulators.info/articles/startracks.htm if interested.
 
Recent sales on eBay showed sale prices of $ 12-14 for the star brand and $ 5-15 for the S.F. brand, but for two S.F. green glass ponies which recently went at auction for $ 30 and $ 41. 
 
Below is the mark embossed on the front of each insulator in this set as well as measurements (from left to right as shown in photos):
 
1. Green Aqua Glass / S.F. on front only.
H 3 1/8” x Diameter 2 1/8” Condition: There is a chip in the base.
 
2. Green Dark Lime Glass / Star on front only.
H 3 1/8” x Diameter 2 1/8” Condition: Minor chips on the exterior along the base.
 
3. Olive Green Glass / Star on front only.
H 3 1/8” x Diameter 2 1/8” Condition: Minor imperfection on the dome, possibly from casting process.
 
Bubbles and irregular glass marks in the casting of all three pieces suggest they date to pre-1910 manufacturing. All three have smooth bases.
 
 
Glass insulators were first produced in the 1850s as a means of fastening wires to electricity poles, glass efficient in reducing electric current loss on early telephone and later telegraph lines. Bubbling and roughness are signs of early molding. Most insulators are from 1875-1930 however, when hundreds of millions were made. Light blue and transparent glass in beehive shapes were the most popular. 
 
Our mother placed her collection on the windowsill to reflect the afternoon sun. Others use them as paperweights, bookends, decor, lightbulb holders, etc.
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.