What is The Rarest Griswold Skillet?

Griswold skillets are popular cast iron skillets made by the Griswold Manufacturing Company. They are prized for their quality and durability, and many collectors seek the rarest versions. If you’re a collector of vintage cast iron skillets, then you know that Griswold is one of the most coveted brands. 

Griswold has been in business since 1865 when they first began producing hinges and stove accessories. In 1872 the company expanded into best-quality cast iron cookware with an Erie stamp on its bottom, designating it as early production models from this facility built right here across the border (in) Pennsylvania!

Have you ever found a little old skillet in your attic or basement? It can be dirty and has some rust on the surface, but don’t throw away those valuable pieces of history! They could be worth something to collectors who want them for their collections – just ask around at home before throwing anything. Away so that no one gets upset with what we do here today. And if you’re lucky enough to own a Griswold skillet, then you know it’s a prized possession. 

What’s rarer than a Griswold? Well, if you think that all of the company’s pieces are already valuable, here is some information for those who don’t know what they’re looking at. This logo marks an extremely small skillet or an unusual piece made with high-quality metals and excellent craftsmanship- something we can never get enough of!

These skillets and other pieces hold little value for those unfamiliar with them, but if you’re an experienced collector, this article will give insight into some hard-to-find items that might be worth your time!

But what if I told you that there was a Griswold skillet that was even rarer than the rest? Read on to learn more about the ultra-rare Griswold skillet.

See more: Is Anodized Cookware Safe?

Griswold Skillet History

The history of this cookware goes back to the 19th century when it was handmade. This particular type can be valuable and rare, making American collectors desire them in addition to their collection or appreciation of real historical items like these Griswold cast iron skillets. The collectible value combined with its scarcity makes owning one an experience not many people get the opportunity to!

The durability and quality of Griswold cast iron cooking dishes have been a huge hit with chefs, cooks, and housewives alike. However, many would rather not replace their old equipment because they refuse to believe that modern-day technology can produce something as good or better than what was available back then!

The reason for this attitude may be simple: we know how much work goes into keeping up two centuries’ worth of these pieces- some even say it’s too difficult, but there’s no denying its beauty when done right.

It’s been said that the origin of Griswold cookware dates back to 1865, when George Selden, a descendant from Pennsylvania, founded his business with just two employees and their families. The family butt factory became known as “the paradise kitchen” due to its high-quality products at affordable prices, which made it popular among many Americans during those times.

The founders of this company were Matt Griswold and his cousins, J.C. (John Calvin), who is also known as Uncle Jim or Bosshardtson to some consumers in America because he helped bring over many English customers during that period when dishwashers became popularized by hotels across our country’s hotels! 

Samuel Selden was another cousin involved with getting things off underway; together, they started out making door hinges which quickly evolved into producing iron cast cookware worldwide, respectively, soon after its inception around 1870.

Matthew Griswold, after paying off the Selden family in 1884 and rebuilding their factory from scratch due to fire destruction, renamed his company “Griswold Manufacturing.” This new firm became one of America’s most respected cast iron production companies not long after.

The company was later passed down to John’s son, Walter, who unfortunately died in an elevator accident just a few years after taking over the business. His untimely death put George Selden back at the helm, where he ran things until 1892 when Griswold finally bought out the entire operation- making it 100% American-made!

The company’s success continued until 1957, when they could not produce pans due in part to increased competition from foreign countries like France. The overall accomplishments and contribution of this firm are significant as it supplied many pieces of kitchen equipment that now staple items found anywhere across America today!

Griswold continued to produce cookware under his name until 1957 when Wagner Manufacturing Company acquired them. The new owners eventually phased out the Griswold name and replaced it with their own.

The quality of Griswold cast iron is exceptional. This product line has been in production for over 100 years and still works as good today, proving its worthiness to consumers so highly sought after!

However, experts advise against purchasing any pans produced in the 1950s. When Wagner Cast Iron bought out Griswold, they no longer manufactured their products locally, and quality had greatly diminished; this includes Erie-made cooking gear like skillets or sautés pan sets that are now made abroad instead of at home by American workers who have been laid off from private companies like yours.

Logo of Griswold Skillet

With the changes in logo over time, identifying Griswold products has never been easier. Experts with Cast Iron collectors offer a detailed listing of what pans were made in certain eras and which logos were used as the years went by. 

If you find an Erie cast iron skillet with the word ERIE printed across its base, there is a chance it’s more than just another boring old cooking implement. The Erie logo has been on cooking items since the original factory was established in Pennsylvania. It is one of their most identifying marks and can be seen at the bottom levels for many products you find today, such as pots or pans!

In addition to this common logo designating ownership using letters from left-to-right and numbers 1 through 8 as well as what looks like some sort of bug structure on top called “spider.” The short legs at the bottom allow for placement either over gas flames or wood-burning fires; when placed into coals—the first thing thought about during Halloween time!

The value is easy to determine if you can confirm they aren’t knock-offs – just some study will help your purchase go smoothly! If any Griswold cast iron skillet or pan still has its spider legs visible on display after all these decades, then it’s likely not only valuable but also extremely rare; this type was produced less than most other companies’ products during its heyday (1910s – early 1920s).

When searching for that hidden gem, also be sure to look for the “slant logo,” as this was used on skillets made during a very limited period (1930 – 1933). The slant logo sets these apart from other companies’ pieces and makes them more collectible than others.

Besides, pieces of Griswold skillets history also have a diamond-shaped logo on the bottom. The word ERIE is still included inside this symbol, and these skillets were produced from 1884-1909 at their Pennsylvania factory located just outside Erie City limits in Brookside near LakeScugog. They can be less valuable than earlier models but still highly sought after by collectors because they represent an era when Americans used more pots & pans than ever before!

The most well-known Griswold logo features a cross with an oval in its center that includes the name ERIE. Later pieces also include block letters spelling out “GRISWOLD.” A simple yet stylish design that’s been around since 1868, this familiar symbol has become something like industrial comfort food for people who love quality timepieces but can’t live without modern updates!

The most valuable Griswold pans are those with a large logo. Some collectors pay top dollar for pans with large Griswold stamp logos. In addition, the 4-inch logo featuring a cross pattern is highly sought after and can be found on only high-quality products, so if you want your dishwasher to last like new, then make sure it has one of these!

Date Griswold Skillet With Logos

As the company grew and changed throughout its time in business, it also altered what is stamped on each type of pot or pan with logos that are pretty straightforward to understand if you know where your information comes from! This allows us an accurate perspective about when these products were made by looking at them collectively and providing clarity for collectors who want pieces attributed correctly according to when exactly it was produced within a specific era.

Griswold Cast Iron Erie Logo (1880-1907)

The Griswold Cast Iron Erie logo is one of the most popular logos in cast iron history. The first phase, from 1880-1907, saw many innovations that made it stand out among other cookware brands. This includes things such as being able to regulate temperature through different coatings on each pan or even changing their color depending upon what you’re cooking up!

It became highly popularized by many collectors because they loved its durable quality along with being able to use them for everyday tasks such as making breakfast or frying chicken breasts at home without worrying about breaking knives every time you tried cutting something cold off your stove top – now those days are gone but thankfully so too shall all memories.

Griswold Diamond Logo (1905-1906)

The Griswold Diamond Logo was used from 1905-1906 and is another popular logo for collectors. The diamond shape with the word “Erie” in the middle was a way to show that the company’s products were made in America when many items were imported from other countries.

It’s also a symbol of quality because it represents their “fireproofing” process, which ensured each item went through extremely high temperatures before it left the factory floor, ensuring customers would get nothing but the best!

This short-lived band only existed for a single year, and collectors highly value their products because they were made during the period when this particular hardware store chain had its peak popularity!

Griswold Slant Logo With Heat Ring and No E.P.U. (1906-1916)

The long exposure to heat caused the logo’s design, which was originally meant for watery foods like fish or soup stock – so it would cook faster and stay warm longer -to change. So in 1906, Griswold changed their Slant Logo into what we know today: an iconic circle-cross made of metal with printed letters above them (ERIE). The Griswold Slant Logo was used from 1906-1916 and is one of the most collectible logos today.

The change in design caused the slanted sides of the pan to become flat, giving it a more modern look. The word “ERIE” was also added to the logo to let people know where these products were made.

Griswold Slant Logo With Heat Ring and E.P.U. (1906-1926)

The Griswold Slant Logo with Heat Ring and E.P.U. is another popular logo for collectors. The heat ring was added to the bottom of the pan to help distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots. The slanted logo with the words “Griswold” and “Erie PA USA” on either side of a heat ring sets this design apart from other companies at the time.

The E.P.U. or Erie Pennsylvania U.S.A. was added onto their logos starting in 1906, and it’s now known as just “Gris.” This particular logo was used from 1906-1926 and can be found on various types of cookware, including skillets, saucepans, roasting pans, and more. 

Griswold Slant Logo Without Erie (1909-1920)

The company’s logo changed three times in the space of ten years. First, it was double-barreled with an “E” on top; then came a variation where they printed logos without any signs—just stripes or spots like you see here next to this word “Griswold.” The last logo from this era is what we now think of when somebody says “Griswold skillet,” the slanted cross in a circle. This was used from 1909-1920 and can be found on various types of cookware, including skillets, saucepans, roasting pans, and more.

The Griswold Slant Logo without Erie was used from 1909-1920 and is one of the most popular logos for collectors. The slanted sides of the pan give it a more modern look. The word “Griswold” is printed on either side of the slant logo.

Griswold Large Block Logo With Heat Ring And No Italic Lettering (1920-1930)

This cookware series is one of the most popular designs in history, having been used by many families for decades. This large block logo features an attractive design with two different markings: one without italics lettering and another which includes it; this later version can be found on pieces made between seasons or during wartime when resources were limited, but demand still existed because they offered great performance at low cost while being easy enough to use even if you didn’t have much experience.

The Griswold Large Block Logo with Heat Ring and No Italic Lettering was used from 1920-1930 and is one of the most popular logos for collectors. The large block logo is easy to spot, and the heat ring helps distribute heat evenly. In addition, the lack of italic lettering makes this design unique.

Griswold Large Block Logo Without Heat Ring And Italic Lettering (1930-1939)

Some might wonder if the large block logo on cookware without a heat ring is fake. Well, it’s not! There were different variations of this design from the 1930s to 1939 and then again sometime after that period up until now – but all with prominent Griswold branding at center stage (just like what you see here).

The Griswold Large Block Logo without Heat Ring and Italic Lettering was used from 1930-1939 and is one of the most popular logos for collectors. The large block logo is easy to spot. In addition, the lack of a heat ring and italic lettering make this design unique.

Griswold Large Slant Logo Without Heat Ring (1939-1944)

Griswold’s large slant logo is cookware that appeared between 1939 and 1944. The difference from other types was not having a heat ring, which makes this product more modern than its predecessors in design but still maintains its traditional looks with an old-fashioned feel!

The Griswold Large Slant Logo without Heat Ring was used from 1939-1944 and is one of the most popular logos for collectors. The slanted sides of the pan give it a more modern look. The word “Griswold” is printed on either side of the slanted logo.

Griswold Small Block Logo (1939-1957)

The last one is the small block logo. It was characteristic of Griswold iron cast cookware made in the period from 1939 to 1957, which was produced in large numbers during those years due to World War II demands on metal resources like aluminum, so luckily, we have plenty left over from before then! And it’s a very interesting design that has been used consistently throughout its history as an innovative company!

There are many reasons to mark your Griswold iron cast pans and cooking items with a logo. For starters, it’s easy to identify which pan was made by an expert in the field or even just someone at home because they’re not essential as such – but this doesn’t mean these logos don’t have their place!

They serve up information on how many pieces were produced through one worker during his time there; what materials were used (or scarce) when making them compared against other products manufactured throughout America; and whether any particular mold got reused between companies or for other products entirely (which can date an item quite accurately if you know what you’re looking for). But, of course, all this is just from a logo! So the next time you see one of these, take a second to think about what it might be telling you.

The equipment marks represent information about manufacturing. For example, AS is for All-Star Pan, and C.F. stands for Chicken Fryer; C.K. means Country Kettle, which produces pots with this mark in particular material or style, etc.

Marks can also indicate what type of product you’re looking at – S.P. indicates saucepans, where S.K. would mean skillets (with similar shapes). Finally, some marks are simply there to show size, like No. 8 or 10. All this can be very helpful when trying to identify what you have!

What is The Rarest Griswold Skillet?

The answer to this question is difficult to determine as a number of factors contribute to the rarity of a Griswold skillet. However, some experts believe that the rarest Griswold skillet is Griswold skillets with the block logo with ERIE PA, U.S.A. stamped below it. These skillets are rare because they were only produced for a short period and are also more difficult to find in good condition. 

You should check out online auctions and antique stores if you are looking for a rare Griswold skillet. You may also want to consult with a Griswold expert to better understand what skillets are rare and what skillets are more common.

Purpose of Griswold Skillets

Griswold cookware can withstand high temperatures for a long time, and you won’t be able to cool them down quickly. That means the frying oil will stay hot inside these dishes indefinitely- even though we add some cold liquid or vegetable oils into our cast iron pan when preparing food so as not to produce any smoke during the preparation process; this also helps us save energy by using less volatile substances such burning candles!

The benefits of using a Griswold skillet also extend to other areas in the kitchen. For example, one can use it as a slow cooker since it can maintain low and even temperatures for an extended time. This is due to the metal’s thickness, which helps distribute heat more evenly throughout the surface area. In addition, Griswold skillets are ideal for searing meat because of how quickly they conduct and retain heat.

The Griswold Skillet is a far lighter and more practical pan than those produced nowadays. You’ll have no trouble holding it in one hand while cooking, but you needn’t worry about getting tired because of its weight if that makes sense!

The Griswold pans were a bit deeper, and people used them as frying pans and cooking pots. But we can’t pack our modern households into just one cart these days! It’s unbelievable how much things have changed over time- isn’t it? With a product line that spans from nonstick to cast iron, Griswold is an industry leader in cookware. They make pots and pans and other items such as sheets for cooking food on top of open fires or wood stoves!

The old-fashioned woodstoves used to have openings, and people could fit Griswold iron cast cookware there. Also, these dishes were convenient for preparing food on a grill or baking in them at one time too! You shouldn’t throw away your perfectly good pans if you don’t want another piece of history gone forever, though – just make sure that they stay seasoned by cooking with the nonstick spray now and again so as not to damage its finish over extended periods when storing unused.

See more: The Way to Use Cast Iron Skillet First Time

FAQs

Why is Griswold Popular Among Collectors?

Griswold is a very popular brand among collectors for many reasons. First, the company has a long and rich history. Second, the quality of Griswold products is excellent. And finally, Griswold cast iron items are rare and hard to find.

One of the most appealing features of Griswold products is that they’re quite easy to date. In addition, the logo changes over time, making this collectible more valuable as collectors know exactly when their collection items were made and by whom!

The Griswold line of cookware is a fan favorite among collectors and those who plan to use their pans for display purposes. It’s easy enough to just put it back into service after cleaning, but if not? Then enjoy being able to take these great tools out on the town!

Why Should You Buy Griswold Skillet?

Who knows what you’ll find at a yard sale? For some, it’s just another day on the hunt. But for others of us with an eye curious enough to pick up on any detail that might lead our search towards treasure or authenticity (and there are plenty), finding vintage cast iron can be more like looking through centuries-old sleuthing files than browsing amongst used items from people who haven’t quite figured out how technology has changed since they were last using these things decades ago. Unfortunately, this means most likely, lots containing such objects won’t even show many signs anyways!

Even if we spot something promising among all those knock-offs and replicas, half the time, what we’re after are things like: how old is it? What’s its story? How was it used? And by whom?

Simply, they are Griswold.

Griswold skillets were the most dominant force in their industry during this period, and it’s important to understand why. They had a long reign as kings over American homes (1865-1957). Nowadays, people celebrate these cookers for how well they’re made with attention paid to every detail possible – something you’ll notice immediately if you ever come across one.

They’re exceptionally rare.

The company was also known for its innovation. They were always coming out with new products and ways to improve upon what they already had. For example, in the early 1900s, they introduced the “Erie” line of skillets which featured a heat ring around the perimeter of the skillet to help distribute heat more evenly.

So not only are Griswold skillets well-made, but they’re also quite rare. And because of this, they can be quite valuable to collectors.

They are the best skillets you’ll ever use

Griswold is a company that has been around since 1866, when it first started as an iron foundry. It’s probably not surprising then why their products are considered some of the best in its industry – with hand-casting from black sand molds and obsessive attention given to quality control on each aspect involved in making these skillets (from casting), you can see why they would be ahead even compared against other companies who use modern technology like aluminum vs. cast iron cookware today!

They’re in great shape.

This 100-year-old cast iron skillet is a true miracle of durability. It’s rare to find one with no chips, cracks, or warping despite being used daily for cooking with little care taken between uses.

They’re going to last forever.

The Griswold skillet is a workhorse. It’s made it this far without much trouble, and so long as you don’t toss your cast iron in an open fire or ice bath to heat up, there’s no reason why this should give out on its own anytime soon! If all else fails – just hang them outside by any means necessary; they’ll still look good while waiting for rusting bullets (or rain) which could take years before happening again.

Rare Griswold Cast Iron Includes Non-kitchen Items

Griswolds also made a variety of items other than kitchen equipment. These include letterboxes and umbrella stands which can be found to have some very unique designs on them! Letterbox collectors may also want to look beyond just the usual junk mail advertisements since these particular pieces were often used by people who had more money at their disposal back then so they could afford personalized stationery or even ransom requests if the need arose (spoiler alert: it did). In addition, there is always the chance that someone might find your old cuspidors useful – not necessarily because you’ll ever need another but simply out of morbid curiosity.

Conclusion

The old saying goes, “You can’t know the quality of a Griswold skillet until you’ve used one.” And when it comes to cookware? Well, if your goal is an authentic American experience, this should be a top priority! These skillets are collectible items for history lovers and will give any kitchen that certain something special.

You are now well-known about how to tell the age of a Griswold skillet. As one of America’s most loved collectibles, you can find them in kitchens across this great nation! However, they’re not just for decorating – if your cooking skills need some work, then get out there and start using these vintage treasures that will surely help make things easier on yourself (and maybe even impress those around)!

It’s rare to come across vintage cast iron, but if you find some – don’t throw it away! Even in poor condition, the cookware might be worth restoring. Some Griswold pieces are more difficult to find and can fetch high prices when sold at auction or on websites like eBay marketplace, where people sell their old items from home (and other places)!

Now the article has answered all your questions about rare Griswold skillets; if you have any ideas to discuss with us, you can leave a comment below. You can also find more useful information on our website.