The SSC Research Library
Cast iron carries its history in every mark, seam, and gate scar. This library gathers the research, documentation, and reference materials that bring those marks to life — from manufacturer histories and patent records to guides for collectors navigating authenticity, care, and identification.
Reference & Guides
Glossary
Definitions of casting terms, foundry vocabulary, and collector terminology used throughout the SSC collection and blog.
Identification Guides
Reference guides for reading maker's marks, gate scars, casting patterns, and other physical evidence used to attribute and date pieces.
Authenticity & Reproductions
How to distinguish original antique cast iron from later reproductions and modern reissues — what to look for and what to avoid.
Care & Use
Guidance on seasoning, cleaning, restoration, and the ongoing care of antique cast iron — preserving pieces for the next generation of collectors.
Publications
Books, periodicals, and reference works recommended for serious collectors of antique American cast iron hollow ware.
Manufacturers & Foundries
A growing index of American foundries and manufacturers — histories, operating dates, known marks, and connections to pieces in the SSC collection.
Historical Research — Overview
Primary source documents, patent filings, county histories, and archival materials that inform the SSC collection and its foundry attributions.
Union Center Grange No. 571 — Ledger & Cookbook
Original handwritten ledger and cookbook compiled by members of Union Center Grange, Shelby County, Ohio. A rare surviving record of rural Ohio domestic life, c. 1882.
Shelby County, Ohio · 1882 · PDF
Union Center Grange No. 571 — Primary Source File
SSC compiled research file documenting the history of Union Center Grange No. 571 — membership records, foundry connections, and contextual sources from Shelby County, Ohio.
Shelby County, Ohio · Primary Source · PDF