Wagner Ware | Sidney "-O-" | Skillet | No. 2 | Stylized Logo | Smooth Bottom
Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" No. 2 Cast Iron Skillet | Catalog No. 1052 | Pattern 2A | SSC Museum Restoration
★ MATCHED PAIR — TWO SPECIMENS IN THE SSC COLLECTION ★
Overview
This catalog entry documents two exceptionally rare Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" No. 2 cast iron skillets — among the smallest and most sought-after sizes in Wagner's production history. The No. 2 skillet is legendary among collectors: it was produced in extremely limited quantities, reportedly for only a brief period around 1924, making it one of the hardest-to-find Wagner skillets in existence.
Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to hold two of these rare specimens in its collection — a remarkable achievement that underscores the depth and quality of the SSC Wagner archive. Finding even one No. 2 Wagner is a significant accomplishment; having two allows for comparative study and ensures the preservation of this rare size for future generations.
Both skillets bear the classic stylized "W" logo with "SIDNEY" and "-O-" beneath, the catalog number 1052, and the pattern designation "2A" — confirming their authenticity as genuine Wagner production pieces from the Sidney, Ohio foundry.
Both pieces have been fully restored and seasoned to Steve's Seasoned Classics museum standards, preserved using the exclusive SSC Museum Process, and confirmed to remain structurally and geometrically stable.
Identification & Markings
Maker: Wagner Manufacturing Company (Sidney, Ohio)
Product Line: Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-"
Item Type: Skillet
Size: No. 2 (Very Rare)
Catalog Number: 1052
Pattern Designation: 2A
Logo Style: Stylized Logo (fancy "W" with SIDNEY -O-)
Bottom Style: Smooth Bottom (no heat ring)
Era: c. 1924–1935 (Stylized Logo with Catalog Number)
Form/Features:
• Classic Wagner miniature skillet profile
• Smooth bottom (no heat ring)
• Dual pour spouts
• Stylized logo at 12 o'clock position
• Catalog number 1052 with pattern letter "A" (shown as "2A")
Measurements & Weight (Typical Range for No. 2)
• Top Rim Diameter: ~5 1/2" – 6"
• Cooking Surface Diameter: ~4" – 4 1/2"
• Overall Length (handle tip to rim): ~9" – 10"
• Depth: ~1 1/4" – 1 1/2"
• Weight: ~1.0 – 1.5 lbs
Historical Context
The Wagner Manufacturing Company was founded in Sidney, Ohio in 1891, and by the early 20th century had become one of the largest and most respected cast iron foundries in America. Their products were known for exceptional quality, innovative designs, and the distinctive smooth cooking surfaces that Wagner achieved through careful finishing processes.
Around 1922, Wagner introduced their iconic "stylized logo" — a large, fancy "W" representing "Wagner Ware" with "SIDNEY" and "-O-" (for Ohio) inscribed beneath. This trademark became one of the most recognizable marks in American cast iron history.
Wagner began using catalog numbers in 1924. The numbering system was logical: regular skillets used the 105x series, where the last digit corresponded to the size number. Thus, a No. 2 skillet became catalog number 1052, a No. 3 became 1053, and so forth through the size range.
The No. 2 skillet occupies a unique place in Wagner history. Unlike most sizes which were produced across multiple logo eras, the No. 2 was manufactured for an extremely limited time. Collector references indicate production may have been confined to approximately 1924 alone, making it one of the shortest production runs in Wagner's catalog. This brevity, combined with the small size (which made the pieces more susceptible to loss or damage over the decades), explains why the No. 2 commands such high prices and collector interest today.
Notably, there were never heat ring versions of the No. 2 Wagner skillet — it was only produced in the smooth bottom configuration, unlike larger sizes which exist in both heat ring and smooth bottom variants.
Rarity & Collector Significance
The Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" No. 2 skillet is among the rarest and most valuable pieces in Wagner collecting. Its scarcity is legendary:
• Extremely Limited Production: Reportedly manufactured for only one year (c. 1924)
• No Heat Ring Variant: Only exists in smooth bottom configuration
• Blue Book Valuation: The Book of Griswold & Wagner lists the 1052 at $100–$125, but actual market prices often exceed this significantly
• Size Vulnerability: Small pieces were more easily lost, damaged, or discarded over 100 years
• Collection Completion: Essential for anyone seeking a complete Wagner Sidney "-O-" skillet size-run
Having two specimens of this rare size in a single collection is extraordinary. The SSC Collection is privileged to preserve both examples, allowing for comparative analysis and ensuring redundancy in the preservation of this significant piece of American cast iron heritage.
Condition Summary (SSC Museum Grade)
Both skillets meet the highest structural benchmarks for collectible cast iron and have been preserved in museum-grade finish:
Specimen #1
✅ No cracks (confirmed)
✅ No wobble (confirmed)
✅ Sits flat (confirmed)
✅ Fully restored and seasoned to SSC museum standards
✅ Preserved using the SSC Exclusive Museum Process
Specimen #2
✅ No cracks (confirmed)
✅ No wobble (confirmed)
✅ Sits flat (confirmed)
✅ Fully restored and seasoned to SSC museum standards
✅ Preserved using the SSC Exclusive Museum Process
Cooking & Collector Value
The Wagner No. 2 is primarily a collector's piece — its small size and extreme rarity make it more valuable as a preserved artifact than as a daily-use cooking implement. However, the skillets remain fully functional and could be used for:
• Single egg cooking
• Small butter or sauce warming
• Individual portion baking
• Tableside presentation
• Display and historical preservation
For collectors, the No. 2 is the key that completes the lower end of the Wagner Sidney "-O-" size-run. Without it, a collection progresses from No. 3 upward, missing the smallest standard skillet size. The No. 2 thus functions as both a capstone piece and a foundation anchor for a comprehensive Wagner collection.
Restoration Plan (SSC Process)
Both pieces are already complete and preserved under the Steve's Seasoned Classics Museum Process:
• Museum-grade strip and iron neutralization
• Complete stabilization and surface conditioning
• SSC seasoning applied for durable archival finish
• Final inspection for geometry, rim integrity, and stability
• Documentation preserved for SSC archive record
• Museum-grade storage prep and handling protocol
Care & Use Notes
• Given rarity, recommend display/archive status rather than regular cooking use
• If used, preheat gradually (even small iron benefits from controlled heat)
• Use oil/fat for longevity
• Clean with hot water and light brushing; dry immediately
• Wipe with a thin layer of oil after drying
• Never soak or dishwasher
• Store in climate-controlled environment to preserve value
Why These Pieces Matter in the SSC Collection
The Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" No. 2 Skillet represents the smallest standard skillet size in Wagner's classic production era — and one of the rarest pieces in all of American cast iron collecting. Produced for perhaps only a single year, these diminutive skillets have become legendary among collectors.
Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve not one, but two specimens of this exceptional rarity. Together, they anchor the lower end of the SSC Wagner Sidney "-O-" Collection and serve as a testament to the breadth and quality of the archive. Preserved with museum-quality restoration and confirmed structural integrity, these skillets stand as lasting records of Sidney, Ohio craftsmanship and American cast iron heritage.
Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)
Catalog Numbers
Specimen #1: SSC-WAG-SKL-02-STYL-SB-001
Specimen #2: SSC-WAG-SKL-02-STYL-SB-002
Inventory Name
Wagner Ware | Sidney "-O-" | Skillet | No. 2 | Stylized Logo | Smooth Bottom | 1052 2A
Collection Reference
These pieces are part of the Steve's Seasoned Classics Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" Skillet Museum Collection — representing the complete range of Wagner's classic Sidney era production.
Preservation Statement
Preserved as matched museum-quality specimens, these two Wagner Ware Sidney "-O-" No. 2 Skillets stand as lasting records of American cast iron design and Ohio manufacturing heritage. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve both examples of this exceptionally rare size, ensuring their survival for future generations of collectors and cast iron enthusiasts.
