Wagner | Waffle Iron | Tall Base | Pat. July 1892 | Original Wood Handles

Wagner Mfg. Co. | Sidney, Ohio | c. 1892–1900s | Original Patina Preservation

★ FIRST-YEAR WAGNER PATENT — OVER 130 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY ★

Overview

This is a Wagner Ware Waffle Iron with Tall Base Stand bearing the July 1892 patent date — making it one of the earliest waffle irons produced by the Wagner Manufacturing Company. The July 1892 patent (likely US479731) covered an innovative hinge design by R.O. Bingham, Wagner's superintendent, and represents the company's first patented waffle iron design. Wagner had only opened its doors in June 1891, making this a product from the foundry's inaugural years.

This exceptional piece retains its original wood handles and original patina — an increasingly rare survival after more than 130 years. The decision has been made to preserve this piece in its original, as-found condition rather than restore it, honoring its authenticity and the irreplaceable character that comes only with genuine age.

This piece will be preserved to Steve's Seasoned Classics standards in its original state as part of the permanent SSC archive.

Preservation Philosophy: Original Condition

This piece will be left in its original condition. The original wood handles, original patina, and original surface character will be preserved rather than restored. This decision reflects the SSC philosophy that some pieces possess irreplaceable authenticity that would be diminished by restoration.

Rationale for Original Preservation:

•       Historical Integrity: Original wood handles from 1892 cannot be replicated — replacement handles, however well-crafted, are not original

•       Patina Value: 130+ years of honest wear tells the piece's story in a way that restoration erases

•       Rarity Factor: Most surviving 1892 waffle irons have replacement handles or have been over-restored

•       Museum Standards: Major museums prioritize original condition over cosmetic restoration

•       Collector Preference: Advanced collectors often prefer untouched original pieces to restored examples

Identification & Markings

Maker: Wagner Manufacturing Company (Sidney, Ohio)

Item Type: Stovetop Waffle Iron with Tall Base Stand

Patent Date: July 1892 (stamped on piece)

Patent: Likely US479731 (R.O. Bingham hinge design)

Era: c. 1892–early 1900s (first-generation Wagner production)

Origin: Sidney, Ohio

Handles: Original wood (preserved)

Condition: Original patina (preserved)

Form/Features:

•       Tall/high base stand (designed for wood-burning stoves)

•       Hinged paddle design (1892 Bingham patent)

•       Original turned wood handles

•       Ball hinge mechanism

•       American-style waffle pattern (small square nubs)

Measurements (Typical for 1892 Tall Base)

•       Base Height: ~4" (tall/high base style)

•       Base Top Rim: ~8" outer diameter

•       Paddle Diameter: ~7"–8"

•       Overall Length (handle to handle): ~16"–18"

Historical Context

The Wagner Manufacturing Company was founded in Sidney, Ohio and opened for business in June 1891 with just 20 employees. Within three months, the workforce had grown to 41 men melting 9,200 pounds of iron daily. Wagner quickly established itself as a market leader in cast iron cookware, competing directly with Griswold of Erie, Pennsylvania.

The July 1892 Patent: This was Wagner's first patented waffle iron design, covering an innovative hinge mechanism designed by R.O. Bingham. Bingham served as the company's superintendent and proved to be a prolific inventor — his name appears on four additional waffle iron patents for Wagner. The 1892 patent established Wagner as an innovator in waffle iron technology from the company's earliest days.

The Tall Base Design: The tall or "high" base was designed for use on wood-burning cook stoves, the standard kitchen appliance of the 1890s. The elevated design allowed the waffle iron to sit above the stove eye opening, capturing heat from below while allowing air circulation. As stove designs evolved (and later, as electric ranges appeared), waffle iron bases became lower and eventually unnecessary, making tall-base designs a marker of the earliest production era.

Original Wood Handles: Waffle iron handles from this era were typically turned wood, often painted or lacquered. These handles saw heavy use and were frequently damaged, cracked, or burned over decades of cooking. Finding a 130+ year old waffle iron with its original handles intact is genuinely uncommon — most survivors have had handles replaced at some point in their history.

Wagner Family Era: This waffle iron was produced during the founding years of the company, when brothers Milton and Bernard Wagner were establishing their business. The family would maintain ownership until 1952 — collectors consider the pre-1952 "family era" pieces to represent Wagner at its finest.

Condition Summary (Original Preservation)

This piece is being preserved in original, as-found condition:

✅  Original wood handles intact (remarkable survival)

✅  Original patina preserved

✅  1892 patent date clearly stamped

✅  Tall base stand complete

✅  Hinge mechanism functional

✅  Paddles present and complete

✅  No restoration — intentionally preserved as-is

✅  Exceptional candidate for display preservation

Collector & Display Value

As an original-condition piece with its first-year patent date and original wood handles, this waffle iron is primarily a display and collection piece rather than a cooking implement. Its value lies in:

•       Historical Significance: First-generation Wagner production (company founded 1891)

•       Patent Documentation: Stamped July 1892 date provides precise dating

•       Original Completeness: Handles, base, and paddles all original

•       Authentic Patina: 130+ years of honest age character

•       Display Appeal: Tall base design creates dramatic visual presence

Using this piece for cooking is not recommended — the original wood handles should not be subjected to heat stress, and the authentic patina represents irreplaceable historical character that would be altered by cooking use.

Preservation Plan (Original Condition)

This piece will be preserved in original condition under SSC protocols:

•       NO stripping or restoration

•       NO seasoning application

•       NO handle replacement

•       Gentle cleaning only if needed (dry cloth, soft brush)

•       Light protective oil on bare metal surfaces only

•       Full photographic documentation

•       Climate-controlled display storage

•       Archive in SSC permanent collection records

Care & Display Notes

•       DISPLAY ONLY — not for cooking use

•       Keep in climate-controlled environment

•       Avoid direct sunlight (protects wood handles)

•       Handle wood with care — do not stress or flex

•       Light dusting only — avoid moisture on wood

•       If displayed, use stable base to prevent tipping

•       Document any changes in condition for archive records

Why This Piece Matters in the SSC Collection

The Wagner July 1892 Waffle Iron represents the dawn of one of America's greatest cast iron manufacturers. When this waffle iron was produced, the Wagner Manufacturing Company was barely a year old. Milton and Bernard Wagner were just beginning to build the reputation that would make "Wagner Ware" a household name for generations.

For the SSC collection, this piece anchors the Wagner timeline at its very origin — just as the Erie block letter kettle anchors the Griswold timeline. Together, these pieces document the founding eras of America's two greatest cast iron dynasties, both established in the early 1890s and both producing cookware that remains prized more than a century later.

The decision to preserve this piece in original condition — with its original wood handles and authentic 130+ year patina — reflects the SSC philosophy that some artifacts transcend restoration. This waffle iron doesn't need to be "fixed." Its honest wear, its original components, and its undisturbed patina are its value.

Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)

Catalog Number

SSC-WAG-WFL-00-1892-TB-OWH-001

Inventory Name

Wagner | Waffle Iron | Pat. July 1892 | Tall Base | Original Wood Handles | Original Patina

Collection Reference

This piece is part of the Steve's Seasoned Classics Founding Era Collection, documenting the earliest production from America's premier cast iron manufacturers. Designated for original-condition preservation.

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Preservation Statement

Preserved in original, unrestored condition as a museum-quality specimen of Wagner's founding era, this July 1892 Patent Waffle Iron with Tall Base represents the dawn of one of America's greatest cast iron manufacturers. Bearing the company's first patented waffle iron design and retaining its original turned wood handles and authentic 130+ year patina, this piece will be maintained in its as-found state — honoring the irreplaceable authenticity that no restoration can replicate. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve this exceptional artifact of American manufacturing history.