COLLECTING & IDENTIFICATION
Wondering what you have? A name or number on the bottom can be a useful clue, but identifying vintage cookware often means looking at the whole piece. GCICA welcomes first-time collectors and longtime researchers alike.
START WITH YOUR PIECE
- Photograph it clearly. Include the cooking surface, underside, handle, lid, and any markings.
- Write down what you see. Note names, logos, letters, numbers, and measurements.
- Look at its shape. The handle, heat ring, pour spouts, lid, and overall form can help narrow an identification.
- Compare more than one clue. A single feature may not establish a maker or date.
EXPLORE THE REFERENCES
- Griswold Cookware identification articles — Illustrated discussions of marks, patterns, and other clues.
- ERIE Skillets by Roy Meadows — A study of ERIE skillet variations published by the Wagner and Griswold Society.
- GCICA newsletter archive — Past research and collecting articles. Member sign-in is required.
REPRODUCTIONS AND FAKES
GCICA’s Appraisals and Reproduction Committee has posted lists from the 1998 and 2008 GCICA handbooks documenting reproductions and related concerns identified at those times. This is a starting point; more pieces and research may be identified. The committee page requires member sign-in.
If you have a question, concern, or new finding, contact the Appraisals and Reproduction Committee. Include clear photographs of the piece and its markings.
You can also browse Griswold Cookware’s reproduction articles for additional examples.
ASK FELLOW COLLECTORS
Share photographs and questions with the GCICA Members and Friends group (Facebook sign-in and group approval may be required), or meet collectors at GCICA events.