Wapak | Skillet | No. 3 | Indian Head Medallion | High Grade Hollow Ware
Wapak Hollow Ware Co. | Wapakoneta, Ohio | c. 1912–1926 | SSC Museum Restoration
★ THE MOST ICONIC AND SOUGHT-AFTER LOGO IN OHIO CAST IRON ★
Overview
This is a Wapak No. 3 Skillet featuring the legendary Indian Head Medallion — the most iconic, collectible, and valuable logo in Ohio cast iron history. The raised medallion depicts a Native American chief in full feathered headdress, encircled by the words "WAPAK HIGH GRADE HOLLOW WARE." This logo represents the pinnacle of Wapak's artistic and manufacturing achievement, and pieces bearing it command premium prices in today's collector market.
The Wapak Hollow Ware Company operated in Wapakoneta, Ohio from 1903 to 1926 — a brief but productive 23-year span that produced some of the most distinctive cast iron cookware in American history. While much of Wapak's production utilized patterns derived from other manufacturers, the Indian Head pieces represented their original premium line, featuring exceptional craftsmanship and the company's most elaborate logo design.
This piece has been fully restored and seasoned to Steve's Seasoned Classics museum standards and documented as part of the permanent SSC archive.
Identification & Markings
Maker: Wapak Hollow Ware Company (Wapakoneta, Ohio)
Item Type: Skillet
Size: No. 3
Logo: Indian Head Medallion (raised, circular)
Logo Text: "WAPAK HIGH GRADE HOLLOW WARE"
Era: c. 1912–1926 (Indian Head logo era)
Origin: Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio
Form/Features:
• Raised Indian Head medallion (unique to Wapak)
• Distinctive Wapak handle design
• Dual pour spouts
• Heat ring
• Smooth cooking surface (characteristic of quality Wapak)
Measurements (Typical for No. 3)
• Top Rim Diameter: ~6 1/2"
• Overall Length (handle to rim): ~10 1/2"
• Depth: ~1 1/2" – 1 3/4"
Historical Context
The Wapak Hollow Ware Company was founded in 1903 in Wapakoneta, Ohio by five entrepreneurs: Milton and Harry Bennett, Charles and Marion Stephenson, and S.P. Hick. Starting with approximately $20,000 in capital (most allocated to machinery and fixtures), the company produced a full line of cast iron cookware including skillets, bean pots, kettles, Dutch ovens, griddles, sad irons, and waffle irons.
The Indian Head Logo: Introduced around 1912, the Indian Head medallion became Wapak's signature mark and their most elaborate logo design. Unlike the company's other markings (block, arc, tapered, chicken foot), the Indian Head is a raised medallion rather than an incised marking — a distinctive feature that required more complex pattern work and demonstrated the company's highest level of craftsmanship. The design features a Native American chief in profile wearing a full feathered headdress, surrounded by the text "WAPAK HIGH GRADE HOLLOW WARE."
The "High Grade" designation was not merely marketing — Indian Head pieces consistently show fewer casting flaws than other Wapak products, suggesting the company took extra care with their premium line. Even so, some minor casting characteristics (bubbles, slight sand shift) are normal for Wapak and are considered authentication markers rather than defects.
Production Sizes: Indian Head skillets were produced in sizes 3 through 12 (some sources cite sizes 2–14, but sizes 2, 13, and 14 are unconfirmed and likely do not exist). Sizes 3, 8, and 9 are most commonly found, while size 4 is notably rare. The distinctive raised medallion can sometimes cause skillets to wobble slightly — this is a known characteristic of the design, not a defect.
Company End: Wapak filed for bankruptcy in 1926 after just 23 years of operation. While documentation is scarce, two former employees (Ahrens and Arnold) are believed to have briefly continued cast iron production in the area after the closure. Today, Wapak Indian Head pieces are among the most sought-after items in American cast iron collecting.
Condition Summary (SSC Museum Grade)
Per seller description ("Beautiful condition") and visual inspection:
✅ No cracks (confirmed)
✅ No warpage (confirmed)
✅ Indian Head medallion intact with good detail
✅ "HIGH GRADE" lettering visible
✅ Genuine Wapak (verified by handle style, weight, and casting)
✅ Smooth cooking surface
✅ Fully restored and seasoned
✅ Excellent archive candidate for long-term preservation
Authentication Notes
Due to the high value of Wapak Indian Head pieces, reproductions exist (particularly in size 4). Key authentication markers for genuine pieces include:
• Weight: Genuine Wapak Indian Head skillets are notably light and thin-walled compared to reproductions
• Cooking Surface: Smooth, machined finish (reproductions have rougher surfaces)
• Handle Design: Distinctive Wapak Indian handle style (reproductions often use generic skillet handles)
• Medallion Quality: Sharp facial features and headdress detail (fakes often show "soft" or poorly defined features)
• Overall Casting: Clean, professional casting quality despite minor Wapak characteristics
Cooking & Collector Value
The No. 3 is a small but functional skillet ideal for:
• Single egg cooking
• Small side dishes
• Individual portions
• Toasting spices
• Display and historical preservation
Given the significant investment ($606.93) and the piece's collectible value, this skillet is recommended primarily for display and archive status. While fully functional for cooking, the Indian Head medallion's historical and monetary value make it more suitable for preservation than everyday use.
Restoration Plan (SSC Process)
This piece will be preserved under the Steve's Seasoned Classics Museum Process:
• Assess existing condition and seasoning
• Verify authenticity (weight, handle, medallion detail)
• Apply SSC museum-grade seasoning if needed
• Full photographic documentation
• Archive in SSC permanent collection records
• Museum-grade storage and display prep
Care & Use Notes
• RECOMMEND display/archive status given collectible value
• Handle with care — this is a premium collectible piece
• If displayed, keep in climate-controlled environment
• Maintain light oil coating to prevent oxidation
• Note: Raised medallion may cause slight wobble — this is normal for Indian Head pieces
• Never soak, dishwasher, or subject to harsh cleaning
Why This Piece Matters in the SSC Collection
The Wapak Indian Head Medallion represents the artistic pinnacle of Ohio cast iron manufacturing. No other American foundry produced a logo this elaborate, detailed, or visually striking. The raised medallion with its finely rendered Native American chief in full headdress stands as a testament to what was possible when foundry workers pushed their craft to its limits.
For the SSC collection, the Indian Head #3 complements the Ahrens & Arnold piece beautifully — together they tell the complete story of Wapakoneta's cast iron heritage. The Wapak shows the company at the height of its success and artistry; the Ahrens & Arnold shows what happened after the company's demise. This pairing creates one of the most comprehensive Ohio cast iron narratives in any private collection.
The "High Grade" designation on the medallion wasn't empty marketing — it represented Wapak's commitment to quality on their premium line. These pieces have fewer flaws, smoother surfaces, and more consistent casting than the company's standard production. Owning an Indian Head piece means owning the best that Wapak ever made.
Catalog & Naming (SSC Standards)
Catalog Number
SSC-WAP-SKL-03-INDH-HR-001
Inventory Name
Wapak | Skillet | No. 3 | Indian Head Medallion | High Grade Hollow Ware
Collection Reference
This piece is part of the Steve's Seasoned Classics Ohio Heritage Collection, documenting the rich cast iron manufacturing history of Wapakoneta and the surrounding region.
Market Context
Wapak Indian Head skillets consistently command premium prices in the collector market. The $550 purchase price reflects the piece's desirability and condition. Indian Head pieces in excellent condition with crisp medallion detail regularly sell for $400–$800+ depending on size and condition, with larger sizes (10, 11, 12) commanding significantly higher prices.
Key value factors: Indian Head is the most valuable of Wapak's seven logo variations, followed by Chicken Foot and Arc logos. Medallion crispness (especially facial detail and headdress) significantly affects value. The "HIGH GRADE" lettering visibility also impacts pricing.
Preservation Statement
Preserved as a museum-quality specimen of Ohio cast iron artistry, this Wapak Indian Head Medallion No. 3 Skillet represents the highest achievement of the Wapak Hollow Ware Company. The iconic raised medallion with its Native American chief in full headdress stands as the most elaborate and collectible logo ever produced by an American cast iron foundry. Made in Wapakoneta, Ohio between 1912 and 1926, this piece exemplifies the "High Grade Hollow Ware" quality that made Wapak famous. Steve's Seasoned Classics is honored to preserve this exceptional example of American industrial artistry.
