Pre-Griswold "ERIE" | Scotch Bowl | No. 4 | Pattern 782 | Late 1800s

Griswold Mfg. Co. | Erie, Pennsylvania | c. 1890s | SSC Museum Collection

★ SCARCE PRE-GRISWOLD "ERIE" MARKING — 19TH CENTURY FOUNDRY ARTIFACT ★

Overview

This is a Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 4 Scotch Bowl, pattern number 782, manufactured by the Griswold Manufacturing Company in the late 1800s. The "ERIE" marking without "Griswold" identifies this as an early-production piece from the foundry's first era — before the company began adding its name to cookware.

Scotch Bowls (also called Yankee Bowls or candy kettles) are round-bottomed vessels designed for cooking beans, stews, and candies. The round bottom promotes even heat distribution and easy stirring — essential for candy making where scorching is a constant concern.

This piece is referenced on page 153 of The Book of Griswold & Wagner ("Blue Book") and will be preserved to Steve's Seasoned Classics museum standards.

What is a Scotch Bowl?

A Scotch Bowl is a distinctive form of cast iron cooking vessel with several unique characteristics:

• Round Bottom: Unlike flat-bottomed pots, the round bottom allows contents to be stirred without corners where food can stick and burn

• Heat Ring: A raised ring on the bottom provides stability on flat stove surfaces while maintaining the round interior

• Bail Handle: Wire bail allows for hanging over fire or easy carrying

• Tipping Tab/Ring: Many have a tab or ring for tilting the bowl when pouring

• Deep Design: Generous depth for soups, stews, beans, and candy making

Historical Uses:

• Baked beans ("Yankee Bowl" name)

• Candy making ("candy kettle" name) — fudge, taffy, caramels

• Soups and stews

• Porridge and oatmeal

• General braising and slow cooking

The "ERIE" Marking: First-Era Griswold

The "ERIE" marking without "Griswold" identifies this as a piece from Griswold's earliest production era. This marking system is significant in Griswold chronology:

• ERIE Only (c. 1880–1905): The earliest Griswold pieces bore only "ERIE" — the city of manufacture. The company had not yet begun putting its name on cookware.

• Slant ERIE with Griswold (c. 1906–1916): Transitional period with both markings

• Block Logo (c. 1920s–1940s): The famous cross-and-circle trademark

• Small Block (c. 1939–1957): Later production era

Collector Significance: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" pieces are among the most sought-after by collectors. They represent the foundry's earliest work — when quality was paramount and production methods were still being refined. Many collectors prize the ERIE-only era as the pinnacle of Griswold craftsmanship.

Identification & Markings

Maker: Griswold Manufacturing Company

Location: Erie, Pennsylvania

Item Type: Scotch Bowl / Yankee Bowl / Candy Kettle

Size: No. 4

Pattern Number: 782

Marking Era: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" only (no Griswold name)

Date: Late 1800s (c. 1890s)

Finish: Plain iron (unplated)

Bottom Markings:

• "ERIE"

• "782" (pattern number)

• "No 4" (size)

• Raised heat ring

Reference: The Book of Griswold & Wagner ("Blue Book"), page 153

Measurements (Per Seller)

• Top Rim Diameter: 11 7/16 inches

• Height: 5 3/4 inches

• Depth: 4 1/2 inches

• Weight: 7 pounds 4.8 ounces

Historical Context

Griswold Manufacturing Company: Founded in 1865 in Erie, Pennsylvania by Matthew Griswold and his cousins, the Selden brothers. Initially producing door hinges, the company expanded into cookware in the 1870s. After a fire in 1885, Matthew Griswold rebuilt and renamed the company Griswold Manufacturing Company.

The ERIE Era: In the late 1800s, Griswold pieces were marked simply "ERIE" — the city of manufacture. This was standard practice before brand identity became a marketing focus. These early pieces are characterized by exceptional quality, smooth surfaces, and lightweight construction that would define Griswold's reputation.

Why "ERIE" Pieces Are Prized: Collectors prize ERIE-marked pieces because they represent Griswold's founding era — before mass production, before extensive marketing, when the foundry was building its reputation on quality alone. These pieces often show the finest machining and casting work the company ever produced.

Scotch Bowl Production: Griswold produced Scotch Bowls in multiple sizes (No. 2 through No. 5) across several logo eras. The No. 4 size (pattern 782) was a popular mid-size option suitable for family cooking. ERIE-marked examples from the late 1800s are increasingly scarce.

Condition Summary (SSC Museum Grade)

Per seller description:

✅ Excellent condition with very light use

✅ Just a few spots of minor pitting

✅ Sits flat — no wobble, no spin, no warping

✅ No chips, cracks, or rust

✅ Round bottom with raised heat ring

✅ Plain iron finish (original)

✅ ERIE / 782 / No 4 markings clear

✅ Thoroughly cleaned and seasoned with vegetable shortening

✅ Safe for cooking and displays beautifully

✅ Described as "scarce" and "hard to find"

Cooking & Collector Value

As a Cooking Vessel: The Scotch Bowl design excels at applications requiring constant stirring and even heat distribution. The round bottom prevents food from collecting in corners, making it ideal for candy making (fudge, caramels), baked beans, thick soups, and braised dishes. The seller notes this piece has been seasoned and is safe for cooking.

As a Collectible: Pre-Griswold ERIE pieces command premium prices among collectors. The combination of:

• Late 1800s manufacture (130+ years old)

• ERIE-only marking (first era)

• Scotch Bowl form (less common than skillets)

• Excellent condition with minimal pitting

• Blue Book documentation (page 153)

...makes this a significant addition to any serious Griswold collection.

Care & Use Notes

• Ready for cooking per seller — seasoned with vegetable shortening

• Ideal for candy making, beans, soups, and braised dishes

• Round bottom requires heat ring contact on flat stoves

• Can be hung by bail handle for storage

• Clean with hot water and brush — minimal soap

• Dry immediately and apply light oil

• Displays beautifully as a museum piece

Why This Piece Matters in the SSC Collection

The Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 4 Scotch Bowl adds a foundational Griswold piece to the SSC collection — representing the company's earliest production era before the famous cross-and-circle trademark. This piece joins the Erie Block Letter No. 5 Kettle (Pattern 787, Pat. 1891) in documenting Griswold's 19th-century origins.

The Scotch Bowl form expands the collection's representation of specialized cast iron beyond skillets, waffle irons, and Dutch ovens. Like the Griswold patty molds already in the collection, this piece demonstrates that Griswold produced innovative designs for specific cooking applications — not just basic cookware.

At 130+ years old, this is among the oldest pieces in the SSC collection — a direct connection to 19th-century American domestic life and manufacturing excellence.

Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)

Catalog Number

SSC-ERI-SCB-04-782-HR-001

Inventory Name

Catalog Code Key

• SSC: Steve's Seasoned Classics

• ERI: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" marking

• SCB: Scotch Bowl

• 04: Size No. 4

• 782: Pattern number

• HR: Heat ring

• 001: First specimen

Related SSC Pieces

• SSC-ERI-KTL-05-BLK-787-HR-001: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" Block Letter No. 5 Flat Bottom Kettle (Pat. 1891)

• SSC-GRI-PMD-01-SHL-OBX-001: Griswold Famous Patty Molds Set No. 1 (c. 1930s)

SSC Pre-Griswold "ERIE" Collection

This piece joins the growing SSC collection of first-era Griswold pieces:

• "ERIE" Block Letter No. 5 Kettle (787): Patent 1891 — 130+ years old

• "ERIE" No. 4 Scotch Bowl (782): Late 1800s — 130+ years old (THIS PIECE)

Together, these pieces document Griswold's founding era — before the famous cross logo, before "Griswold" appeared on cookware, when "ERIE" alone identified the company's exceptional products.

Preservation Statement

Preserved as a museum-quality specimen of Griswold's founding era, this Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 4 Scotch Bowl represents the company's earliest production — before the famous cross-and-circle trademark, before "Griswold" appeared on cookware, when quality alone built the foundry's reputation. Manufactured in the late 1800s in Erie, Pennsylvania, this piece has survived 130+ years in excellent condition with very light use. The round-bottomed Scotch Bowl design — purpose-built for candy making, bean cooking, and dishes requiring constant stirring — demonstrates Griswold's commitment to specialized cookware solutions from its earliest days. Referenced in The Book of Griswold & Wagner (page 153), this scarce piece joins the SSC collection as testament to American manufacturing excellence in the 19th century. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve this exceptional artifact of cast iron history.