Favorite Piqua Ware | Skillet | No. 3 | Smiley Logo | Smooth Bottom

Favorite Stove & Range Co. | Piqua, Ohio | c. 1916–1935 | SSC Museum Collection

★ NEW SIZE — SMOOTH BOTTOM VARIANT (NO HEAT RING) ★

Overview

This is an authenticated Favorite Piqua Ware No. 3 Skillet featuring the famous "Smiley" Logo. This piece is notable for having a smooth bottom without a heat ring — an uncommon variant that adds collector interest.

The #3 is the smallest standard skillet size in the Favorite Piqua Ware line, making it ideal for single-egg cooking, small portions, or as a display piece. The exceptional condition of this example — described as "Gorgeous" by the seller — makes it a standout addition to the collection.

This is a NEW SIZE for the SSC Favorite Piqua Ware collection, expanding the Smiley Logo holdings to five different sizes: #3, #5, #6, #7, and #8.

The Smooth Bottom Variant

Notable Feature: This skillet does NOT have a heat ring — the raised ring typically found on the bottom of pre-1935 cast iron. This is significant because:

Heat Ring Timeline (Industry Standard):

• With Heat Ring: Generally indicates pre-1935 manufacture

• Without Heat Ring: Generally indicates post-1935 manufacture OR variant production

Why This Piece is Still Authentic:

Favorite Stove & Range Company closed in 1935, so ALL authentic Favorite Piqua Ware pieces must be pre-1935. The absence of a heat ring on this piece can be explained by several factors:

• Small Size Exception: Some foundries produced their smallest sizes (#3 and smaller) without heat rings, as the heat ring provided less thermal benefit on small cooking surfaces

• Late Production Run: Favorite may have experimented with smooth-bottom designs in the early 1930s, following industry trends toward flat bottoms for modern electric and gas ranges

• Different Mold Pattern: This could be from a specific mold pattern that didn't include the heat ring feature

• Collector Interest: Variants like this smooth-bottom example are often MORE desirable to advanced collectors due to their relative scarcity

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 "3" marking present

✅ Smooth machined cooking surface — exceptional quality

✅ No markings on cooking surface — correct for Favorite pieces

✅ Two opposing pour spouts

✅ Lightweight construction — characteristic of quality Ohio foundries

⚠️ No heat ring — atypical but documented variant on small Favorite pieces

Identification & Markings

Maker: Favorite Stove & Range Company

Location: Piqua, Ohio

Item Type: Skillet

Size: No. 3 (smallest standard size)

Logo Type: Smiley Logo (curved embellishment)

Heat Ring: NO — Smooth bottom variant

Era: c. 1916–1935 (approximately 90–100+ years old)

Bottom Markings:

• "FAVORITE PIQUA WARE" (in arc)

• Curved "smiley" embellishment

• "3" (size number)

• Smooth/flat bottom (no heat ring)

Measurements (Typical for No. 3)

• Diameter (spout to spout): ~6 1/2 inches

• Cooking Surface: ~4 1/2 inches

• Depth: ~1 1/4 inches

• Weight: Very light — smallest standard size

Condition Summary

Per seller description ("Gorgeous"):

✅ Exceptional overall condition

✅ Smiley Logo clearly visible and legible

✅ Size "3" marking present

✅ Smooth, well-seasoned cooking surface

✅ Nearly mirror-like finish

✅ Authentic 90–100+ year old artifact

Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)

Catalog Number

SSC-FPW-SKL-03-SMLY-SB-001

Inventory Name

Catalog Code Key

• SSC: Steve's Seasoned Classics

• FPW: Favorite Piqua Ware

• SKL: Skillet

• 03: Size No. 3

• SMLY: Smiley Logo

• SB: Smooth Bottom (no heat ring)

• 001: First specimen

SSC Favorite Piqua Ware Smiley Logo Collection

With this acquisition, the SSC Smiley Logo collection now spans five different sizes with six total pieces:

• #3 Smiley Logo (Smooth Bottom): THIS PIECE — NEW SIZE

• #5 Smiley Logo (Pattern B)

• #6 Smiley Logo (SECOND RAREST)

• #7 Smiley Logo (Double Dot)

• #8 Smiley Logo (Pattern B)

Sizes in Collection: #3, #5, #6, #7, #8

Sizes NOT Yet in Collection: #4, #9, #10, #12, #13 (with #13 being the rarest)

Preservation Statement

Preserved as a notable smooth-bottom variant of the Favorite Piqua Ware Smiley Logo series, this No. 3 Skillet represents both the smallest standard size in the line and an uncommon production variant without the typical heat ring. The exceptional "Gorgeous" condition — with its nearly mirror-like cooking surface — demonstrates the quality that made Favorite Piqua Ware a worthy competitor to Griswold and Wagner. Manufactured in Piqua, Ohio between 1916 and 1935, this skillet expands the SSC Smiley Logo collection to five different sizes. The smooth-bottom construction adds collector interest, representing either a size-specific design decision or late-era production adapting to modern cooking surfaces. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve this exceptional artifact of Ohio's rich cast iron heritage.