Griswold | Famous Patty Molds | Set No. 1 | Shallow Pattern | Original Box | c. 1930s

Catalog ID: SSC-GRI-PMD-01-SHL-OBX-001
Foundry: Griswold Manufacturing Company, Erie, Pennsylvania
Era: c. 1930s
Type: Specialty Cookware — Patty Mold Set
Material: Cast Iron (molds), Wire (handles), Cardboard (box)
Status: Complete set in original graphic box
Acquisition: August 29, 2025 | $36.83 (incl. shipping and tax) | Seller: realsarahdeals (eBay)

Overview

This complete Griswold Famous Patty Molds Set No. 1 from the 1930s represents a rare example of American specialty cast iron — preserved in its original retail packaging with period graphics. Designed to make rosettes and timbales (delicate, deep-fried pastry shells of Scandinavian origin), the set includes two molds, a wire handle, and a compartmented cardboard box featuring vivid illustrations of vintage culinary use.

While Griswold is best known for its skillets and Dutch ovens, this piece showcases their broader product line, which included innovative tools for home entertaining and culinary craft.

Contents & Markings

  • Molds Included:
    • Round “target” mold (concentric ring design)
    • Fluted “flower” mold (scalloped design)

  • Handle:
    • Threaded bent-wire handle
    • Unmarked, as typical for this model

  • Box:
    • Original compartmented box with colorful lid graphics
    • Marked “No. 1 Patty Mold Set” on front panel

  • Markings on Molds:
    • No cast-in markings (typical of Shallow Pattern Set No. 1)
    • Authentication confirmed by mold shape, handle type, and box style

Use & Historical Function

Patty molds were used to create crisp, delicate pastry shells by heating the mold in oil, dipping it into a thin batter, and returning it to the oil to fry. Once golden, the shell was gently removed and served filled or dusted with sugar. These were popular for sweet or savory applications and often appeared at formal gatherings or Sunday dinners.

Griswold patty mold sets appear in catalogs as early as the 1910s and remained in production through the 1950s. This example, with its 1930s-era graphic box, is considered a mid-period specimen from the Erie production years — prior to Griswold’s 1957 acquisition and move to Sidney, Ohio.

Collector Significance

Complete boxed Griswold patty mold sets are highly collectible, with value depending heavily on:

  • Box Condition: This example’s box graphics are intact and legible

  • Completeness: Includes both molds, handle, and correct insert tray

  • Era: Erie-era sets (pre-1957) are more desirable than later Sidney-issued kits

  • Uniqueness: As a non-skillet piece, it reflects Griswold’s full product line

Preservation Notes

This set will be archived and preserved under SSC museum conservation standards. The box will be stabilized for long-term storage, and the molds will be lightly seasoned for protection, not use. It serves both as a culinary artifact and as a visual example of Griswold's mid-century marketing and product design.

Why It Matters

This set expands the SSC collection beyond cookware basics into culinary tools that reflect changing domestic traditions. It highlights how American foundries like Griswold innovated not just in casting quality, but in creating aspirational products for the home cook. With its colorful box art and complete contents, this patty mold set tells the story of 1930s home life — where even delicate rosette pastries had a place at the table.