Yes, yes, I know I’ve written thousands of articles (I might be exaggerating, but only a tiny bit) about the O’Neils and their massive vintage and antique cast iron collection (just do a search for O’Neil on this site – they have their own category!) I’ve also made a series of videos showcasing the collection.
I wrote yet another shorter article for the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association’s quarterly newsletter. It is replicated here. Enjoy!
About Larry & Marg O’Neil
If you are a cast iron collector, you’ve probably already met, heard, and read about Larry and Marg O’Neil of Tacoma, Washington. If you’re an enthusiast who has done even a minimal amount of research, you’ve undoubtedly read about them. I call them cast iron movie stars.
Their dedication to the cast iron community and passion for their vintage cast iron collection is truly inspiring.
How Larry and Marg Became Interested in Vintage Cast Iron Cookware
Larry’s fascination with cast iron began many years ago when he asked his mother if he could have the family skillet. His mother declined, as his sister had already requested it. However, Larry was undeterred and decided to find one for himself.
This simple quest led to a deep dive into the history and craftsmanship of antique and vintage cast iron. Marg, Larry’s partner in every sense of the word, wholeheartedly supported his interest and made it her own. Soon enough, they had a collection that filled their basement. As the collection grew, it filled the upstairs of the home and eventually flowed out of the house into the garden.
Before they knew it, they had amassed a collection that filled two levels of a pole barn on their farmland in Tacoma’s outskirts. The collection in this giant pole barn is known as the O’Neil Cast Iron Museum.1
Larry & Marg’s Collection
The O’Neil collection is huge. It comprises thousands of vintage and antique pieces of cast iron and aluminum cookware, utensils, ovens, hotel ware, smalls, ephemera, and many other miscellaneous items from different manufacturers. The pieces are mainly from the United States, though there are also some Canadian pieces in the mix. The collection is meticulously sorted and organized. While Larry and Marg have said they have about 15,000 pieces, I’d wager it is far more than that.
Larry and Marg are great ambassadors of the hobby of collecting cast iron. They personally answer many questions from people who call and email, and regularly welcome and offer private tours to people who visit the museum. They do this on their own time, just for the love of the iron and to share its wonders with others. Larry delights in showing visitors the unique details of each piece.
Larry and Marg are still busy collecting. As I write this, they are sorting through a collection of 3,100+ pieces recently purchased by Larry to determine which pieces should be kept and which should be sold. Larry only collects pieces distinct from others they already have, even if the difference is slight. They sell duplicates.
Larry’s favorite pieces are old Griswold, known for quality and craftsmanship, and any esoteric and unique piece that adds a touch of intrigue to their collection. Marg is particularly fond of Griswold Quaker Ware and other beautiful enameled pieces.
Larry & Marg and the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association
The O’Neils are devoted members and enthusiastic supporters of the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association (G&CICA). They joined the club shortly after its inception in 1992, and have attended and participated in all but one of the national conventions since. They have attended multiple chapter meetings and hosted the West Coast chapter meet. They have written articles for the G&CICA newsletter and have given table talks at the national conventions, showcasing exciting items from their collection. They always bring some pieces to sell at the swap meet, too!
Larry has served on the G&CICA board of directors and as West Coast chapter president. He has participated as an expert in show-and-tell at conventions and chaired the reproduction committee. Marg has also served as the West Coast chapter president and as club treasurer. She has implemented many ideas and performed many tasks for the G&CICA.
A Story from the O’Neils
Larry wrote an article for the G&CICA newsletter in May 2011 about the Griswold Santa mold. The Santa mold story is worth repeating.
It is a common misconception that all authentic Griswold Santa molds have a jagged line (casting flaw) running down the side of Santa’s toy bag, and only reproduction Santa molds lack the line on Santa’s bag.2
Larry compared seven Griswold Santa molds from their collection. Of course, each mold differs slightly from the others. He could see that not every Santa had a line/casting flaw, and the line was different lengths. Some Santas also had the beginning of a line on the opposite side of the bag.
Larry believes that the Santa mold used at the Griswold foundry was made of wood. As the wood aged, it dried and cracked, resulting in the line on Santa’s bag, which lengthened as the wood dried. As the wood became even drier, a crack began on the other side of Santa’s bag, resulting in the appearance of the second line on Santa’s bag.
What does Larry’s story tell us? The lack of a jagged line/casting flaw on Santa’s toy bag is not determinative as to whether a Santa mold is a reproduction Griswold; instead, the length of any line is likely reflective of the age of the mold used.
Larry & Marg’s Advice for New Collectors
Know what you are buying before you buy. Research the iron; read the Smith and Wafford books and the Haussler muffin book. 3
Join the G&CICA4 and attend the chapter meets and conventions. $30 for membership is a small price to pay for the knowledge you will gain from other collectors, not to mention the new friends you will make.
- The museum is a private. If you are in Tacoma and wish to visit, you can request a tour by contacting Larry at loneil7701@aol.com. Second-best would be to take a look at some of my videos of the museum, which you can see here: https://griswoldcookware.com/videos-of-the-oneil-cast-iron-museum/
- The Blue Book by Smith and Wafford notes some of the differences between an authentic and a reproduction Griswold Santa. One difference pointed out is “the original Santa has what appears to be a casting flaw on the side of the bag, while the repro does not…” 5th edition p. 131.
- These books are linked on the “Learn About Your Iron” page.
- Membership applications can be found here.
