Pre-Griswold "ERIE" | Skillet | No. 8 | Heat Ring

Griswold Mfg. Co. | Erie, Pennsylvania | c. 1890s–1900s | SSC Museum Collection

★ FIRST-ERA GRISWOLD — 19TH CENTURY FOUNDRY CRAFTSMANSHIP ★

Overview

This is a Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 8 Skillet with heat ring — a first-era piece from Griswold's earliest production period. The "ERIE" marking without "Griswold" identifies this as an antique from the late 1800s to early 1900s, before the company began adding its name to cookware.

ERIE-marked skillets represent the pinnacle of Griswold craftsmanship — lightweight, smooth, and made with individual attention before mass production techniques became standard. These pieces are highly prized by collectors as the foundation upon which Griswold built its legendary reputation.

Condition Assessment

Honest Assessment: This skillet shows some surface damage/pitting in the center of the cooking surface — evidence of its 120+ years of existence. This is not uncommon for pieces of this age and does not diminish its historical significance or collector value as an authentic first-era Griswold piece.

The Reality of Antique Cast Iron: Pieces from the 1890s have survived over a century of use, storage, and environmental exposure. Some surface imperfections are to be expected and actually confirm authentic age. A "perfect" ERIE skillet from this era would be extraordinarily rare.

Functional Status: Despite surface imperfections, this skillet remains a usable piece. With proper seasoning, even pitted surfaces become non-stick over time. Many collectors choose to display pieces of this age rather than cook with them, preserving their historical character.

The "ERIE" Marking: First-Era Griswold

The "ERIE" marking without "Griswold" identifies this as a piece from Griswold's earliest production era:

•       ERIE Only (c. 1880–1907): The earliest Griswold pieces bore only "ERIE" — the city of manufacture

•       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: ERIE-only 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 by hand.

ERIE Skillet Series Timeline

Collectors categorize ERIE skillets into six series based on design characteristics:

•       First Series (c. 1880–1886): Scooped handles, outside heat ring, no pattern numbers

•       Second Series (c. 1886–1892): Rib handles, outside heat ring, no pattern numbers

•       Third Series (c. 1892–1905): Rib handles, outside heat ring, pattern numbers added

•       Fourth Series (c. 1905): Artistic lettering style, both heat ring types

•       Fifth Series (c. 1905–1907): Inset heat ring, quotes around ERIE

•       Sixth Series (c. 1907+): Inset heat ring, no quotes around ERIE

Identification & Markings

Maker: Griswold Manufacturing Company

Location: Erie, Pennsylvania

Item Type: Skillet

Size: No. 8

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

Heat Ring: Yes

Era: c. 1890s–1900s (120+ years old)

Bottom Markings:

•       "ERIE"

•       "8" (size number)

•       Heat ring

•       Pattern number may be present (704 typical for No. 8)

Measurements (Typical for No. 8)

•       Cooking Surface Diameter: ~10 1/2 inches

•       Overall Length: ~15 1/4 inches (including handle)

•       Depth: ~2 inches

•       Weight: ~4–5 pounds

Historical Context

The Griswold Manufacturing Company: Founded in 1865 in Erie, Pennsylvania, Griswold became America's most prestigious cast iron manufacturer. The company's earliest pieces bore only the "ERIE" marking before "Griswold" was added to products. The ERIE era represents the foundry's finest craftsmanship.

Why ERIE Pieces Are Special: ERIE-marked skillets from the late 1800s represent Griswold's founding era — when production was smaller, quality was paramount, and each piece received individual attention. The smooth machined surfaces and lightweight construction established standards that the industry would follow for decades.

The No. 8 Size: The #8 skillet (approximately 10 1/2" diameter) was then, as now, the most popular and versatile size — large enough for family meals but manageable for everyday use. It remains the most commonly found size in vintage Griswold collections.

Condition Summary

Based on images from ForgottenFoundries:

✅  "ERIE" and "8" markings present

✅  Heat ring intact

✅  Handle intact with period-appropriate design

✅  Authentic 120+ year old artifact

Noted Condition Issues:

•       Some surface damage/pitting visible in center of cooking surface — typical for pieces of this age

Collector Value

ERIE-marked skillets hold significant collector value:

•       First-Era Status: Pre-Griswold marking indicates earliest production

•       Age: 120+ years old

•       Historical Significance: Represents Griswold's founding era

•       Provenance: From ForgottenFoundries, a specialty cast iron dealer

•       Condition Factor: Surface imperfections reduce premium value but confirm authentic age

Care & Use Notes

•       Can be used for cooking with proper seasoning

•       Surface pitting will fill with seasoning over time

•       Display is also appropriate given age and historical significance

•       Clean with hot water and brush — minimal soap

•       Dry immediately and apply light oil

•       Store in dry location

Why This Piece Matters in the SSC Collection

The Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 8 Skillet adds another first-era Griswold piece to the SSC collection — joining the ERIE Block Letter No. 5 Kettle and ERIE No. 4 Scotch Bowl in documenting Griswold's 19th-century origins.

The #8 size represents the most practical and versatile skillet size — the workhorse of any kitchen. Having an ERIE-marked example demonstrates that even everyday cooking tools from this era were made with exceptional craftsmanship.

Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)

Catalog Number

SSC-ERI-SKL-08-HR-001

Inventory Name

Pre-Griswold "ERIE" | Skillet | No. 8 | Heat Ring | c. 1890s–1900s

Catalog Code Key

•       SSC: Steve's Seasoned Classics

•       ERI: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" marking

•       SKL: Skillet

•       08: Size No. 8

•       HR: Heat ring

•       001: First specimen

Related SSC ERIE-Era Pieces

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

•       SSC-ERI-SCB-04-782-HR-001: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 4 Scotch Bowl (Late 1800s)

•       SSC-ERI-SKL-08-HR-001: Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 8 Skillet (c. 1890s–1900s) — THIS PIECE

Preservation Statement

Preserved as an authentic first-era Griswold piece, this Pre-Griswold "ERIE" No. 8 Skillet represents the foundry's earliest production period — before the famous cross-and-circle trademark, before "Griswold" appeared on cookware, when quality alone built the company's legendary reputation. At 120+ years old, this skillet carries the honest marks of its long journey through time, including some surface wear that confirms its authentic age. The "ERIE" marking places this piece among the most collectible Griswold variants, representing craftsmanship from an era when each piece received individual attention. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve this artifact of American cast iron history.