Has location helped your finds?

R

RobDBeal

New member
I was just thinking about this today and thought I'd throw the question out there... Has the location of where you're searching for CI affect how well you've done? Is North better than South, East vs. West... Big city or out in the country? Just curiosity as to whether there is a pattern to how people used to use CI.
 
I have hunted for antiques in all NE. Each area has it's ups and downs. Depends on the time of the year, the weather, and a few other things. I have gone over to Maine poaching for one piece and have come back with (Better not say) a lot more that one. I think country folks used cast iron longer that most city folks. Went on to an auction and came home with over 40 pieces. The thing that worked in my favor was two things, a bad snow storm and it was school vacation.
I could go on and on, but find it best to spin my compass and see what direction we will go. It is only miles. :icon_thumbsup:
 
Being on the West Coast seems to mean that I find all of the marked, and un-marked smooth bottom Wagner pieces. I've had some really good finds besides, but they are few and far between. I hunt three or four days during the week on quick trips, and then for three or four hours at one of my spots on the weekend.

I find as few as one piece a week, and I've found as many as 10+. Never all at the same place/seller. Never just found a huge collection all at one place for normal money. My average week/end is about 4-5 pieces.
 
I think everything in N. GA is still in use or buried. Little demand and smaller supply. Estate sales would probably be the best bet.

Hilditch
 
I live in south central PA and there is quite a bit of cast iron pieces to be found. Lots of Griswold, possibly due to my proximity of their foundry. But I've found pieces easily from many foundries in my short time collecting.
 
I travel for work and use the opportunity to do a little hunting. I have had more luck in the more rural areas, but pickings have been slim lately. I get the "You just missed a bunch" talk quite a bit. I have found some in smaller cities, but it is usually more expensive. Again, some folks thing they are selling solid gold, not CI.
 
I'm in the South/Midwest and haven't looked anywhere else. Prices here are all over. Some people see Wagner or Griswold and think they've got solid gold as someone said. I also got a Lodge Cactus pan and Griswold Corn stick pan for $5 total. The people ringing me up at the flea market even asked another employee about the price and ended up saying some people don't know what they have.
 
W. Hilditch said:
I think everything in N. GA is still in use or buried. Little demand and smaller supply. Estate sales would probably be the best bet.

Hilditch
Click to expand...
I live across the street from a little 70+ year old lady from northern GA... I don't think she'd sell her CI if someone offered her a grand a piece. On the other hand, her cracklin bread is one of the best things I've ever eaten [emoji4] . I'll have to see if I can get her recipe one day.
 
A lot of interesting thoughts about folks traveling with their cast iron but much seems to show up close to the source.

I try to drive off the beaten path.....skip the interstate. Shops everywhere. Yard sales. See a lot but much is junk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top