Uncovering The Vintage Charm: A Guide To Finding Griswold Cast Iron Pans

Griswold cast iron pans are highly sought-after by collectors due to their rarity, quality, and history. The brand's history goes back to the 19th century, with the company originally making door hinges before expanding into cookware in the 1870s. The earliest Griswold pans were manufactured in Erie, Pennsylvania, and these pots often have Erie stamped on the bottom.

Over the years, Griswold changed its logo several times, making it easy to determine the age of a pan. The most valuable pieces are those with the earliest logos, with some pieces valued at over $3000.

Griswold cast iron pans are known for their smooth cooking surfaces and lighter weight compared to other cast iron pans. They are also quite versatile, suitable for use on various heat sources such as open fires, electric burners, or wood stoves.

If you're looking to get your hands on a Griswold cast iron pan, sites like eBay and Etsy are good places to start your search.

Griswold cast iron skillets with Erie logo

Griswold cast iron skillets with the Erie logo are highly sought-after collectibles. The Erie skillet was made in the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, by Griswold and its predecessor, Selden & Griswold, from the late 19th to the early 20th century. The Erie skillets feature the iconic "ERIE" arc logo at the top and were produced in six series, each with distinct design features.

The first series is identified by its scoop handle, outer heat ring, and lack of a product ID code. The second series skillets have a blended handle, an outer heat ring, and often feature unique markers like a flower, American flag, pineapple, bullseye, or letters. The third series introduces a three-digit code in the centre of the skillet, along with an outer heat ring and blended handle. The fourth series, known as the "Artistic Series", only includes sizes 5 and 9, and is similar to the third. The fifth series features an inset heat ring, and the sixth series has the same design but without the apostrophes before and after the Erie name.

When identifying the age of an Erie skillet, it is important to look for design changes over time, such as handle design, handle reinforcement pad, reinforced lip, heat ring placement, maker's marks, pattern numbers, and trademark style. These characteristics can help collectors estimate the production period of their piece.

Online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy offer a variety of Griswold cast iron skillets with the Erie logo for sale, providing collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire these coveted pieces.

Griswold cast iron with Diamond logo

Griswold cast iron with the Diamond logo is a rare find. The logo was used for a short period, from 1884 to 1909, at the Griswold Erie PA ironworks. The Diamond logo is an early logo, usually found on griddles rather than skillets.

The Diamond logo is also known as the Erie Diamond logo or Griswold's Erie Diamond. It is the first Griswold logo, transitioning from the Erie logos to Griswold logos. The skillets with this logo are sizes 6-9 and 11 to 12.

The skillets with the Diamond logo are highly valuable and collectible. They are known for their smooth cooking surfaces and lighter weight. The skillets are also known to be super light and smooth. However, skillets used on coal or wood ranges may have pitting marks on the base.

The Griswold Diamond logo is in the centre of the backside of the cookware. Unfortunately, this area is often damaged by sulfur pitting.

Collectors should be wary of reproductions, which generally have a grainy finish and uneven and blurred lettering.

Griswold Slant Logo with heat ring and no EPU

The Griswold Slant Logo with a heat ring and no EPU was manufactured between 1906 and 1916. The EPU is an abbreviation for "Erie, PA, U.S.A", and skillets from this period are missing this marking under the logo. The size number on the base of the skillet is typically found at the 12 o'clock position, and the word "Erie" is below the Griswold logo. The pattern number is usually found at the 6 o'clock position on the skillet to make room for the logo.

The Griswold Slant Logo skillets without EPU mostly do not have a number on the handle. These skillets are highly valuable, collectible, and rare, making them desirable for collectors and American history lovers. The skillets are also known for their high quality, good reputation, and durability.

The Griswold Slant Logo with a heat ring and no EPU is available in sizes ranging from 1 to 14, with the largest skillet being a #14. A Griswold #13 slant logo can be extremely expensive for collectors, sometimes costing thousands of dollars, but it must be in excellent condition to achieve this price.

The Griswold Slant Logo skillets were the first of the famous Griswold skillet logos, with the trademark being used from 1906 to 1916. The word "Griswold" in the logo is in italics, and the trademark consists of a cross inside a double circle, with the name "Griswold" spanning the horizontal arms of the cross. The skillets also feature a heat ring, which was used for wood or coal ranges.

The value and practicality of owning an original Griswold cast iron item can be significant, as they are a valuable part of American history. They can also be used for cooking or displayed as an exhibit, making them popular items worldwide.

Griswold Slant logo with EPU and heat ring

The Griswold Slant logo, also known as the "circle cross logo", was used from 1906 to 1916. The logo consists of a cross inside a double circle, with the name "Griswold" in italicised lettering spanning the horizontal arms of the cross. The addition of "E.P.U." (abbreviation for "Erie, Pennsylvania, USA") to the logo narrowed its manufacturing period to 1909-1929.

The slant logo was generally of the same diameter on most pieces, except for lids, where a reduced-size version was used. The logo was featured on both heat-ringed and smooth-bottom skillets, as well as on pans marked "Erie" and "Erie, PA, U.S.A.", being referred to by collectors as "Slant Erie" and "Slant EPU", respectively.

The "Slant EPU" skillets featured the words "Cast Iron Skillet" in an arc at the top of the skillet, above the logo. The size number was stamped on the handle, and the skillets were manufactured in sizes ranging from 1 to 14, with the largest skillet with the Griswold Slant logo being #14.

The Griswold Slant logo skillets are highly collectible and valuable, especially the #13 skillet, which can cost thousands of dollars if it is in excellent condition. The skillets are sought after due to their smooth cooking surfaces and lighter weight compared to other cast-iron pans.

Griswold cast iron with Small block logo

Griswold Manufacturing was an American manufacturer of cast-iron kitchen products founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1865. The company was in business from 1865 through 1957 and was known for its high-quality cast-iron cookware. Today, Griswold pieces are collectors' items.

The Griswold "Small Block" logo was introduced around 1939. The logo was reduced in size, likely because all but the largest skillet patterns were replaced outright instead of being modified. The overall weight of the lettering, cross, and circles was also reduced, and inscriptions like "CAST IRON SKILLET" were eliminated. The "ERIE, PA, U.S.A." was shortened to "ERIE, PA.". The trademark would come to be known to collectors as the "small block logo", abbreviated "SBL".

The Griswold Small Block logo skillets are not as collectible to cast-iron enthusiasts as other logos, but they are still great skillets. You might be able to pick up a skillet with a small logo at a great price. The Small Block logo skillets were manufactured from 1939 to 1957.

• Griswold #9 Small Block Logo Cast Iron Skillet, 710 H
• Griswold #7 Small Block Logo Cast Iron Skillet 701
• Griswold #6 Small Block Logo Skillet with Groove Handle
• Griswold #8 Cast Iron Skillet w/ Small Logo & Grooved Handle
• Griswold Small logo no.4 smooth bottom skillet, Sits Flat

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