Favorite Piqua Ware | Skillet | No. 5 | Smiley Logo | Pattern B

Favorite Stove & Range Co. | Piqua, Ohio | c. 1916–1934 | SSC Museum Collection

★ SECOND SPECIMEN — TRADING STOCK / BACKUP ★

Overview

This is an authenticated Favorite Piqua Ware No. 5 Skillet featuring the famous "Smiley" Logo with Pattern B marking. This is the second specimen of this size and pattern in the SSC collection.

Manufactured between 1916 and 1934, this skillet represents approximately 90–100+ years of American cast iron history. The "5B" marking indicates the size (5) and pattern letter (B), identifying the specific mold used in production.

Why Collect Duplicate Pieces?

Serious collectors often acquire multiple examples of the same piece for various practical reasons:

• Trading Stock: Duplicates can be traded with other collectors for pieces you need

• Condition Comparison: Multiple examples allow assessment of condition variations

• User vs. Display: Keep one for daily cooking, preserve one for display

• Future Sales: Quality vintage pieces appreciate in value

• Gifts: Share the hobby by gifting authenticated pieces to fellow enthusiasts

• Mold Variations: Even same-pattern pieces can show subtle casting differences

Authentication Analysis

This piece has been verified as an authentic Favorite Piqua Ware Smiley Logo skillet based on the following characteristics:

✅ "FAVORITE PIQUA WARE" text in arc — correct placement and font

✅ Curved "smiley" embellishment below text — the defining characteristic

✅ Thinner lettering style — distinguishes Smiley from earlier Block Logo

✅ Size "5" marking present

✅ Pattern letter "B" — matches first specimen

✅ Heat ring present — confirms pre-1935 manufacture

✅ Smooth machined cooking surface — Favorite quality standard

✅ No markings on cooking surface — correct for Favorite pieces

✅ Two opposing pour spouts

Identification & Markings

Maker: Favorite Stove & Range Company

Location: Piqua, Ohio

Item Type: Skillet

Size: No. 5

Pattern Letter: B (mold identification)

Logo Type: Smiley Logo (curved embellishment)

Heat Ring: Yes

Era: c. 1916–1934 (approximately 90–100+ years old)

Bottom Markings:

• "FAVORITE PIQUA WARE" (in arc)

• Curved "smiley" embellishment

• "5" (size number)

• "B" (pattern letter)

• Heat ring around bottom perimeter

Measurements (Typical for No. 5)

• Diameter (spout to spout): ~8 1/2 inches

• Cooking Surface: ~6 1/2 inches

• Depth: ~1 3/8 inches

• Weight: Very light — characteristic of Favorite Piqua

Condition Summary

Based on images:

✅ Smiley Logo clearly visible and legible

✅ Heat ring intact

✅ Size "5" and pattern "B" markings present

✅ Smooth, well-seasoned cooking surface

✅ Good overall condition

✅ Authentic 90–100+ year old artifact

Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)

Catalog Number

SSC-FPW-SKL-05-SMLY-B-002

Inventory Name

Catalog Code Key

• SSC: Steve's Seasoned Classics

• FPW: Favorite Piqua Ware

• SKL: Skillet

• 05: Size No. 5

• SMLY: Smiley Logo

• B: Pattern letter B

• 002: Second specimen

Acquisition Details

Purchase Date: November 26, 2025

Seller: northwestglassshop_2 (eBay)

eBay Item #: 236304024826

Order #: 21-13869-77781

Item Price: $65.00

Shipping: $7.95 (USPS Ground Advantage)

Tax: $6.18

Total Cost: $79.13

SSC #5 Smiley Logo Specimens Comparison

The SSC collection now includes two #5 Smiley Logo Pattern B skillets:

• Specimen 001: $52.83 (Aug 27, 2025) — Seller: rilke3

• Specimen 002: $79.13 (Nov 26, 2025) — Seller: northwestglassshop_2 — THIS PIECE

Combined #5 Investment: $131.96 (two pieces)

Average Cost per Piece: $65.98

SSC Favorite Piqua Ware Smiley Logo Collection

With this acquisition, the SSC Smiley Logo collection totals five pieces across four sizes:

• #5 Smiley Logo (Pattern B) — Specimen 001: $52.83 (Aug 2025)

• #5 Smiley Logo (Pattern B) — Specimen 002: $79.13 — THIS PIECE (Nov 2025)

• #6 Smiley Logo (SECOND RAREST): $311.43 (Nov 2025)

• #7 Smiley Logo (Double Dot): $182.36 (Nov 2025)

• #8 Smiley Logo (Pattern B): $117.14 (Nov 2025)

Total Favorite Piqua Ware Smiley Logo Investment: $742.89 (5 pieces)

Preservation Statement

Preserved as a second specimen of the Favorite Piqua Ware #5 Smiley Logo Pattern B, this skillet provides the SSC collection with trading stock, condition comparison opportunities, or a dedicated user piece while preserving the first specimen for display. Both pieces were cast from the same "B" mold pattern in Piqua, Ohio between 1916 and 1934, making them approximately 90–100 years old. The existence of multiple specimens allows collectors to study subtle variations in casting quality, seasoning, and wear patterns across pieces from the same production era. Steve's Seasoned Classics maintains this duplicate as part of responsible collection management.