Is this a good pan?

D

DonnaM

Member
I'm thinking of bidding on this pan. I think I found it on p. 14 of the Red Book; if so, it was manufactured in 1924. The only difference I see is where the handle joins the pan wall--no triangle in the RB photo. The one on p. 15 has the triangle, but it doesn't have the outside heat ring.

https://flic.kr/p/QRxtpu
 
Pretty much any early Wagners are "good pans" assuming they're not warped, cracked, bowed, cooking surface gouged, etc.
 
The RB dates it "c. 1924" which means "circa 1924". Circa means near, around, about, roughly. It is a term often seen misused in the CI world as in "What's the circa on that pan?"

The book is correct about 1924 in that Wagner purportedly started putting catalog numbers on pans in 1924. I would place your pan 1924-1935.
 
Well, I didn't win the skillet. It went for more than I felt like I could bid on it, but I still feel kind of bad about it. I like those old ones.... :cry:
 
Oh, don't fret. There are more around. You may even find one for just a couple bucks. Then you'll laugh at what someone paid for the one in the auction. Besides, I don't like buying a skillet without actually seeing it. Photos hide a host of problems.
 
True and true, Tony. I guess when I hear about this or that collector saying they have 200 pieces of CI, etc., I tend to think, "Gadzooks! There isn't going to be any left!" :eek:
 
DonnaM said:
True and true, Tony. I guess when I hear about this or that collector saying they have 200 pieces of CI, etc., I tend to think, "Gadzooks! There isn't going to be any left!" :eek:
Click to expand...

I know whatcha mean, Donna - I just started, and i tend to pick up every skillet i come across that looks good. It's because I'm thinking I'd better get them while the gettin's good. :-). That said, i know there were thousands and thousands of CI pieces cast by many foundries, for decades ... gives me confidence now to be more discriminating about passing up a pan.

With eBay, there's always the let-down if you don't win - that's natural. But, just think - someone else paid MORE than you thought the skillet was worth. You did not miss out on anything. :-) There will be another skillet that fits your price range soon!

-sherm
 
Comment: I got almost all of my collection via yard sales; now I think most "heirs" look at the CI and go: "Hmm... don't people collect this old stuff? Must have some value." There goes the cheap acquisition. I do believe Donna has mentioned living in a part of the country with little CI to be had. Keep looking though Donna--persistence can pay off in goodies. (You do really need to see and handle a piece before you buy it, I think.) That said, good luck! Hunting can be its own amusement and reward.
 
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