How To Date Your Griswold Pan

Griswold skillets are highly sought-after by collectors and cooks alike. The age of a Griswold pan can be determined by examining the bottom of the pan for the manufacturer's insignia, the size and shape of the logo, and the location of manufacture. The Griswold identification stamp has changed over the years, making it relatively easy to determine the age of the pan. For example, if the logo includes an apostrophe, the skillet was manufactured between 1884 and 1912. The presence of the city name Erie without a state indicates the skillet was manufactured between 1865 and 1909, while skillets marked Erie, PA, USA are from the 1960s to early 1970s.

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The presence of the name 'Erie'

The presence of the name "Erie" on a Griswold skillet indicates that it was manufactured between 1865 and 1909. These skillets are highly sought after by collectors. The name refers to the city of manufacture, Erie, Pennsylvania, where Griswold operated an ironworks.

The Erie skillets were produced before the company began using stylized logos, and the name "Erie" was featured prominently in the centre of a diamond-shaped logo. These skillets also featured the well-known "spider" structure, with short legs that allowed the pan to sit on both a cooktop and in coals.

The "Erie" skillets were first introduced around 1906 when the sixth series of skillets were changed to read "Griswold's Erie". This trademark was short-lived, as traditional block lettering was soon replaced by stylized logos. The "Erie" skillets were followed by the Slant Erie and Slant EPU skillets, which featured the slant logo with the addition of "Erie, PA, U.S.A." The slant logo was used from 1897 through 1957, and its use continued into the large block logo era, gradually phasing out around 1930.

The presence of the "Erie" name, therefore, indicates that the skillet is from the earlier period of Griswold's production history, before the widespread use of logos. These skillets are valuable not only for their age but also for their rarity, as they represent a transitional phase in the company's branding and trademark evolution.

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The presence of the logo inside a cross

The "Griswold cross" logo is highly collectible and sought-after by antique collectors and sellers due to its age and quality. The presence of the logo inside a cross is thus an indicator of the age and value of the pan. The pans with this logo are considered to be from the earlier production period of Griswold, which lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

The logo inside a cross was also accompanied by additional inscriptions, which changed over time. For example, some pieces may have the word Erie or EPU (Erie, Pennsylvania, USA) inscribed on them, indicating the location of the Griswold foundry. The lettering style of the logo was also modified, with the slanted, slightly italicized lettering of the early years being changed to block lettering during the 1920s and 1930s.

The size of the logo inside the cross was also reduced over time, with the company transitioning to a smaller logo in the early 1940s, known as the ""small logo" Griswold. This change in logo size can be useful in narrowing down the age of the pan to a specific decade. Additionally, the presence or absence of a heat ring can also provide a relative sense of the pan's age, with pans featuring a heat ring being generally older.

The "Griswold cross" logo is thus a significant feature of the vintage Griswold pans and can provide valuable information about their age and approximate date of manufacture. The presence of this logo, along with other design features, contributes to the collectible value and desirability of these pans among antique enthusiasts.

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The size of the Griswold logo

The Griswold logo has evolved over time, with the company using different designs and markings on their skillets, pots, and cookware. The first logo used by the company was the "'Erie' logo," which was simply the city name "Erie" listed on the bottom of the skillet, without an accompanying manufacturer name. These skillets were manufactured between 1865 and 1909.

The "Slant Erie" and "Slant EPU" logos were variations of the slant logo, with "Slant Erie" featuring the word "Erie" and "Slant EPU" featuring the words "Erie, PA, U.S.A." The "Slant EPU" logo featured a more heavily incised trademark than the "Slant Erie" logo. The slant logo was also used on skillets marked with the number of the piece, such as "Erie and eight."

The ""Large Block" logo was used on skillets with a flat bottom between 1930 and 1939. The ""Small Block" logo was used on skillets between 1939 and 1957. The ""Diamond" logo was used on griddles, with the logo featuring a number at the top and a smaller number at the bottom.

The ""Iron Mountain" range, produced between the 1930s and 1940s, did not feature a logo or trademark. Instead, these skillets can be identified by their rectangular handle holes and four-digit pattern numbers.

The presence of an apostrophe in the Griswold logo, such as "Griswold's," indicates that the skillet was manufactured between 1884 and 1912. Additionally, skillets with the word "Griswold" inside a cross were produced between 1897 and 1957.

The size and design of the Griswold logo can vary depending on the piece and its manufacturing date. The evolution of the logo, from the "Erie" logo to the "Large Block" and "Small Block" logos, as well as the use of apostrophes and crosses, can help identify the age of a Griswold pan.

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The presence of the apostrophe in Griswold

The presence of an apostrophe in the Griswold logo is a key indicator of the skillet's age. If the logo reads 'Griswold's', it was manufactured between 1884 and 1912. This period saw the emergence of the company's first stylized logo, known as the "Griswold's Erie Diamond". The apostrophe indicates the possession of the company by Matthew Griswold, who bought out his relatives' interest in 1884.

The inclusion of the apostrophe in the logo reflects the company's transition and evolution of branding. Initially, the name "Griswold" was absent from the trademarks, with pieces bearing the mark "Selden & Griswold", reflecting Matthew Griswold's partnership with the Selden brothers, which began in 1868. Over time, the apostrophe was introduced, signifying Griswold's sole ownership of the company.

The presence of the apostrophe in the Griswold logo is a significant detail for collectors and enthusiasts. It provides a clear timeframe for dating the skillets and contributes to their historical context. The skillets from this era are sought-after due to their association with the company's early history and the unique styling of the logo.

Additionally, the apostrophe in the Griswold logo holds historical significance. It represents a shift in the company's branding strategy and highlights the importance of consistent and distinct branding in the cast-iron cookware market. The logo's design, with the apostrophe, became a recognisable trademark for the company, helping to establish its reputation and differentiate its products from competitors.

The absence of the apostrophe in later logos is also notable. After the era of "Griswold's", the company transitioned to more stylised logos, such as the iconic "slant logo" and the "large block logo". These logo variations lacked the apostrophe, signalling a shift in branding strategy and a move towards more modern and streamlined designs.

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The presence of the 'Made in the USA' marking

The presence of the "Made in the USA" marking on a Griswold skillet indicates that it is a vintage pan, likely manufactured between the 1960s and early 1970s. This marking is often accompanied by a round logo inside a cross and the size of the skillet in inches. These pans were produced after Wagner Cast Iron bought the Griswold facility and name, resulting in a change in manufacturing location and a decline in quality. As a result, experts advise against purchasing Griswold pans from this era.

The inclusion of "Made in the USA" on Griswold skillets reflects a shift in production during this time period. It is important to note that the value of antique cast iron skillets can vary, and pans manufactured in the 1950s and onwards may not be considered as valuable by collectors. The presence of certain logos or markings, such as the "spider structure" or the Griswold's Erie Diamond," can also impact the value and desirability of Griswold skillets.

The evolution of the Griswold trademark over time has made it relatively straightforward to determine the age of their cast-iron skillets. Collectors and enthusiasts can refer to detailed guides and breakdowns of logo changes to estimate the age of a particular skillet accurately. The size and shape of logos are significant factors, with older Griswold logos being larger at approximately 4 inches wide, while newer logos are smaller at around 2 inches wide.

The presence of specific markings, such as the "Made in the USA" stamp, can provide valuable insights into the age and origin of Griswold skillets. However, it is worth noting that the value of these skillets depends on various factors, including their condition, rarity, and the presence of other distinctive markings. Collectors and enthusiasts should refer to specialized guides and resources to accurately assess the age and value of Griswold skillets with specific markings.

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