You have an antique cast-iron skillet marked “ERIE.” How do you determine its age? I recently published the Roy Meadows article entitled”‘ERIE’ Skillets,” to the blog. This article is very useful for identifying and dating antique cast iron skillets marked “ERIE.” The timing was good for me, as I recently acquired two antique Griswold skillets:…
Identification
Posts that have information to help identifying or dating a particular piece or its manufacturer.
1883 Selden & Griswold Hollow Ware Product List Available for Download
Here’s a nice find: a digital reprint of an 1883 fold-out hollow ware product brochure by the Selden & Griswold Manufacturing Company of Erie, Pennsylvania. As you can see, the front cover of the Selden & Griswold brochure has some handwritten words. I suspect the handwriting on the cover – “C.A.M. from M.G.Sr.” – refers…
1924 Wagner Cast Iron and Aluminum Catalog Public Domain, Available for Download
I ran across the Wagner Manufacturing Company’s Catalog number 30 on the internet. It is a 96-page catalog from 1924. It is in the public domain and available for free download. You can find it here. These catalogs are an invaluable resource for collectors and enthusiasts.
Looking for the Value of a Particular Piece? Finding Recent “Sold” Prices is a Good Start.
“What’s it worth?” I’ve said it before – in my opinion, the current “value” of a particular piece is shown by what someone is willing to pay for it. Age, scarcity, the precise markings on the pan, current demand, timing, the reputation of the seller, and condition condition condition are all reflected in the what…
Fake and Reproduction Griswold and More, by Larry O’Neil
Many moons ago, Larry O’Neil prepared a presentation of some fake and reproduction Griswold and other poorly cast pieces that had crossed his path. Larry O’Neil, of course, is the movie star collector from Tacoma, Washington who – along with his so-not-shrinking-violet spouse Marg – has a ginormous private cast iron museum. Larry and Marg…
1911 Griswold Bulletin A6 Available for Download
While I was nosing around re-finding the public access site for the Griswold catalog no. 45, I ran across this Griswold cast aluminum product bulletin dated September 1, 1911: “Cast Aluminum Oven Ware and New Safety Tea Kettle.” It is in the public domain and is available for free .pdf download. CLICK HERE to access…
How to Use Google Images Search to Learn about Your Iron with Just a Photograph
Years ago, I created a video on how to learn about a pan using Google Images Search and a photograph. As it’s worth repeating, I made another one, showing how to learn things about several different antique iron pieces, including the funky “7-way Universal Tool.” Take a look – it’s easier than you think!
Griswold’s “ERIE” Skillets
By Roy G. Meadows, as updated March 17, 2025 Foreword by Mary On March 17, 2025, I had the opportunity to interview Roy G. Meadows. Mr. Meadows is well-known in the cast iron collecting community for his expertise and extensive knowledge–particularly of antique “ERIE” cast iron skillets, which were produced in Erie, Pennsylvania by the…