I posted a series of photos of old advertisements for Griswold Quaker Ware. Old ads such as those are very helpful when trying to determine what pieces were part of a particular line of pans.
Larry and Marg O’Neil have the full collection of Griswold Quaker Ware, and I had the opportunity to photograph the collection to accompany an article that Marg wrote for the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association about their collection. Marg has kindly allowed me to reprint the article below.
Reading Marg’s article and seeing the photos of their beautiful collection brings the pictures in the old advertisements to life.
On the Hunt for Griswold Quaker Ware
By Marg O’Neil.
Photos by Mary Theisen.
[Cast iron collector] Lou Wright 1 convinced us to join the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association (“G&CICA”) many years ago. We went to a national convention shortly after we joined, where we were lucky enough to buy several pieces of Griswold Quaker Ware. Ever since we have been on a mission to collect all of the pieces of Griswold’s Quaker Ware.
Griswold made Quaker Ware from 1949 to 1957. Quaker Ware pieces are black iron with a white porcelain-coated interior. The line is high-quality; the iron was tumble-finished before the porcelain was applied. Griswold ads to dealers proclaimed: “Smartly-styled lowest priced porcelain lined ironware – that’s the new Griswold Quaker Ware.”
The Quaker Ware round and square skillets have grooved handles, while the casseroles have scalloped handles. Griswold trademarks are not consistent throughout the line. Some pieces have the small Griswold trademark, others the large block trademark and our no. 107 skillet griddle has the italicized trademark. The skillet griddle was the last piece of Quaker Ware made by Griswold.
We bought the wrought iron candle warmer in the above photo at a G&CICA convention auction a few years ago. I had seen a picture of the wrought iron candle warmer in a Griswold catalog and advertisement for Quaker Ware. The candle warmer was sold along with a red and cream casserole at the auction. We sold the casserole but kept the candle warmer for our Quaker Ware round casserole with cover. The Griswold Quaker Ware casserole was sold both with and without the candle warmer. This is the only candle warmer we have ever seen.
Lovely collection, Marg – thanks for sharing it with us!
(originally posted April 6, 2019).
