Cast Iron Cookware Collecting Topics

A Cast Iron Primer

A quick overview of what is meant by collectible vintage cast iron cookware. Learn more...

Myths & Misconceptions

Everyone has a story they've heard about cast iron cookware. What's true, and more importantly, what's not? Learn more...

Reference Topics:

Notable U.S. Manufacturers

From hundreds of small regional foundries sprung dozens of manufacturers who would grow to serve the USA and beyond. Learn more...

Canadian Manufacturers

Several Canadian manufacturers produced pans that appear from time to time in the US marketplace. Learn more...

Trademarks & Logos

The major manufacturers of the 20th century proudly inscribed their names, trademarks and logos in their wares, and those marks evolved over time. Learn more...

Numbers & Letters

Number and letters inscribed on cast iron cookware can sometimes be mystifying, but can become easily understood. Learn more...

Economy Brands

Some major manufacturers sought to serve as many market segments as they could, sometimes offering economically-priced alternatives to their regular wares. Learn more...

Store Brands

Store brands were a result of large chain department stores like Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward wanting quality private label products to differentiate themselves from the competition. Store brands fulfilled this need. Learn more...

Damage & Defects

Collectors of vintage cast iron cookware seek to acquire the best examples of pieces they can. Know how to recognize and avoid common types of damage or defect. Learn more...

Reproductions/Counterfeits

The copying of certain pieces of brand name cast iron cookware occurred over the years, usually for quick and easy profit. Knowing how to spot a fake is something every collector needs to know. Learn more...

Recasts

Recasts are a specific type of copy, made using a pan from another maker, sometimes innocently, other times not. Learn more...

Ghost Marks

When a maker changed markings on a pattern, filler material was used to erase the old marks. If the filler eroded, "ghosts" of the old marks would be cast into a pan. Sometimes, ghost marks reveal more than expected. Learn more...

Identifying Unmarked Iron

Many manufacturers made unmarked goods for sale in alternate marketing channels. Often, they were of a quality on par with their marked goods. As collectible pans, they can often be had quite inexpensively. Learn more...

Non-Collectible Cast Iron

The more you delve into collectible cast iron cookware, the more often you'll see pieces with unfamiliar markings. They may be cheap imports with impressive sounding names, and you'll need to be able to recognize them. Learn more...

Collecting Strategies

Having a strategy for your collection will help you avoid buying pieces you later may wish you had saved your money instead. Learn more...

Iron Hunting

Part of the allure of collecting anything is "the thrill of the hunt". Planning your "expeditions" will help make them moee enjoyable and productive. Learn more...

Buying Tips

Smart collectors also need to be smart buyers, and in a number of different ways. Learn more...

Selling Tips

Eventually, your collection may grow to a point that you may want to part with some of it. Whether in person or online, being a good seller will help you build a reputation buyers can rely upon. Learn more...