ERIE | No. 5 Kettle | Pattern 787 | Pat. Mar. 10, 1891 | Pre-Griswold Block Logo

Catalog ID: SSC-ERI-KET-05-787-BLK-1891
Foundry: Griswold Manufacturing Company (Pre-Griswold Era), Erie, Pennsylvania
Era: c. 1890s
Type: Hollow Ware — Utility Kettle
Material: Cast Iron
Status: Restored and preserved in museum archival condition
Acquisition: October 14, 2025 | $49.97 (incl. shipping and tax) | Seller: logcabinvintage (eBay)

Overview

This early No. 5 kettle, marked simply “ERIE” in block lettering, is a rare pre-Griswold artifact produced in the 1890s by the Griswold Manufacturing Company of Erie, Pennsylvania. Featuring the full Pattern No. 787 and the cast-in patent date “Mar. 10, 1891,” this kettle represents one of the earliest fully documented pieces from Griswold’s formative years—before the adoption of their later slant and cross logos.

It features the wide heat ring, pronounced bail ears, and smooth interior typical of late 19th-century domestic hollow ware. This is a transitional piece between early gate-marked iron and the precision-era cookware Griswold would become famous for.

Design & Markings

Lid: Not present (standard for surviving examples)
Body:
• Full bottom-marked “ERIE” block logo with centered apostrophe
• “No. 5” size mark near bail lug
• Pattern No. 787 cast-in on underside
• Patent Date: “Pat’d Mar. 10, 1891” below logo
• Wide inset heat ring

Bail Ears:
• Early form with vertical slot recess
• Intact and structurally sound

Interior:
• Original cast surface preserved
• No pitting or corrosion
• Clean, restored, and seasoned for conservation

Use & Historical Function

This No. 5 kettle was designed for general kitchen use—heating water, preparing soups or stews, or rendering fats over a wood or coal stove. The wide base and rounded sides made it ideal for slow-cooking applications before Dutch ovens became standard kitchen fare. Its bail handle allowed for easy hanging over open hearths or insertion into stove top cutouts.

The 1891 patent date refers to a design improvement in hollow ware construction used across several pieces in this era. The kettle’s design predates most of Griswold’s iconic branding, placing it firmly within the early transition from unmarked artisan iron to standardized cast cookware.

Collector Significance

Pre-Griswold “ERIE” pieces with full patent marks and pattern numbers are highly desirable among early American cookware collectors. This example is particularly notable for:

Marking Completeness:
• Includes all original cast-in identifiers (ERIE logo, size, pattern number, patent date)

Structural Integrity:
• No cracks, no repairs, excellent rim and bail ear condition

Early Production Status:
• Produced during the first decade of Griswold’s growth as a branded foundry

Use Rarity:
• Many kettles of this size were worn out or discarded—this example survived intact

Preservation Notes

This kettle underwent full SSC restoration using non-abrasive methods in line with museum-grade conservation protocols. No grinding, sanding, or mechanical alteration was performed. It has been hand-seasoned with archival-safe oil and is stabilized for long-term display and research.

Although usable, this piece is preserved in non-culinary status to protect its historical surface and casting details. It is housed in the SSC collection as an example of early Erie foundrywork and Griswold's emergence into branded cookware.

Why It Matters

This kettle bridges two worlds: the rough utility of 19th-century American kitchens and the emerging precision of 20th-century cookware branding. It predates Griswold’s more famous logos, yet contains the DNA of everything that came after—solid casting, domestic function, and clear patterning.

As a complete, uncracked, fully marked “ERIE” kettle, it anchors the early end of the SSC museum timeline. It reminds us that before Griswold became a household name, it was simply “ERIE”—and even then, it was making cookware worth remembering.