Author Topic: UNUSED GRISWOLD #9 BLOCK/E.P.U. HEAT RING SKILLET W. ORIGINAL FACTORY LABEL (Read 8936 times)

Donald Pape · « **on:** December 12, 2015, 09:32:24 PM »

Hello to all forum participants. I have a couple of questions regarding an unused Griswold #9 Block/E.P.U. heat ring skillet which I just acquired. I believe this pan dates from the first half of the 1920's decade due to its under handle construction characteristics. In over 20 years of accumulating cast iron, this is the first unused Griswold skillet of such early vintage that I have encountered, while still retaining its original factory label. I have encountered a very few later period unused small logo Griswold pans that have retained their labels. I was wondering just how rare is it to find an unused 90 year old Griswold with a label? Due to 90 years of non-use, with no accumulated seasoning to protect it, its inside bowl cooking area has developed a scattering of spotty surface oxidation (albeit not actual metal pitting). To preserve the factory label (which I believe adds substantial value to this utensil) a complete lye bath clean up is impossible. The best I can do is carefully clean up only this inside bowl cooking area via lye and vinegar bath scrubbing. Regarding value retention, I seek opinions regarding this very limited type of clean up versus just leaving the entire pan alone? I welcome any and all input regarding these inquiries. Unfortunately my limited computer versitility prohibits pictures to be posted. Thank you for any opinions offered. Best regards, DON.

Jim Glatthaar · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2015, 11:44:35 PM »

Donald, that is quite a find. I have not been hunting for iron nearly as long or as diligently as many of our members. Personally, I have never seen a Griswold LBL with a factory label. Some of our members would have a better idea how to perform a limited cleaning without damaging the value of your prize.

Donald Pape · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2015, 07:35:24 AM »

Thanks for your reply Jim. In my original post I failed to mention that the label is located on the under bowl heating surface of the pan, covering the entire Griswold logo, unlike being located on the upper bowl cooking surface as I've noticed on later produced Griswold skillets. That is why it would be possible to clean up that area without destroying the label. Best regards, DON.

Ed Allspaugh · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2015, 11:01:31 AM »

Donald from your description and what I have pictured in my mind I would leave it. A light coating of something to help preserve it??

Donald Pape · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2015, 02:47:52 PM »

Hi Ed: Thank you for your input regarding my inquiry. I have decided to do a limited combination lye bath/vinegar bath treatment within the inside bowl area only, followed by a coat of mineral oil. This will not only render the skillet more aesthetically pleasing, but will also protect it from any future oxidation. Best regards, DON.

C. Perry Rapier · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2015, 11:33:26 PM »

If it was mine, I'd take some nice pictures of it and I'd clean that label off and throw it away. I have seen skillets with the original label where the owner has let a piece of paper stand in his way of cleaning the piece, and so its all rusted up, but its sure got a nice looking label, the skillet looks like hell all rusted up and all, but oh that label. :o :o

Donald Pape · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2015, 05:56:40 AM »

Hi Perry. Your point is well taken. Unfortunately a labeled and unused skillet is more susceptible to the ravages of time more often so than a well used and cared for example. There is no protective coat of seasoning built up to insulate the bare metal from rust. More often than not it is stored away and forgotten for decades, possibly in a damp and hostile environment such as a cellar or attic. While exhibiting all of its concentric factory polishing rings, the inside bowl cooking surface of this aforementioned Griswold #9 bears some scattered patches of lightly etched residual surface rust from being unprotected for 90 years. But like you say, how many of them after 90 years can boast "oh that label"! Thanks for your response. Best regards, DON.

Larry Pesek · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2015, 06:46:33 AM »

WHAT?!? NO PICTURES?!? [smiley=unsure.gif] :( :'(

Brian Wood · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2015, 07:22:16 AM »

here is the photo that was on auctionzip

http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/2633942/fp114.cgi

Russell Ware · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2015, 08:36:41 AM »

For when auctionzip no longer has the photo:

Donald Pape · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2015, 09:34:38 AM »

Yep, that's the one alright! In an auction where most items were generally begging for any and all bids above a couple of dollars the picture of that label drew a group of determined cast iron bidders together, myself included, that drove the price of that pan substantially above what you would expect an unlabeled example would fetch. Since I am computer illiterate, I was unable to post pictures. My thanks to Brian and Russel for their efforts. Best regards, DON.

Dwayne Henson · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2015, 11:13:29 PM »

Gotta ask, it's unused? Anyway to post better pics, top and bottom and a closeup on the label? That bottom almost likes seasoned, but it could just be the photo.

Mark Zizzi · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2015, 06:37:40 AM »

I was wondering the same thing Dwayne...doesn't really look like bare metal. Maybe there's some mineral oil on it or something. Better pics would help, especially of the inside bowl you want to clean. But if it hasn't been used, you don't need lye. Lye does nothing for rust. I would see what vinegar would do first. If not satisfied with that, you could try electrolysis inside the skillet only. It's a little tricky to set up, but can be done. Fill it with electrolyte and suspend a disk shaped annode inside. ;)

Donald Pape · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2015, 01:05:21 PM »

Dwayne: Your absolutely right about the outside bowl areas of this pan. It appears to have been treated long-ago with a now darkened coating of protective substance which has served to protect its outer surfaces from the ravages of rust and oxidation. The inside bowl cooking area has not been so treated, being left "in-the-white" and bearing the track marks of light spotty oxidation residue. No doubt that it could not have ever been actually used to cook anything or the factory label would be gone.
Mark: I use the lye bath scrub to just soften the rust and oxidation then go to the vinegar bath scrub to actually remove that oxidation. This was done to the inside bowl area of this pan. It is so-to-speak "in the white", displaying all of its concentric polishing rings, along with the scattered track marks of oxidation residue.
If anyone cares to view the current appearance of this pan I can e-mail them better pictures. I cannot resize them to satisfy the forum criteria in order to post them.
My original intent for this post was to determine how rare it may be to encounter an unused pan of this vintage which bears its original label. Any input regarding this inquiry would be welcome. Best regards, DON.

Brian Wood · « **Reply #14 on:** December 15, 2015, 08:04:29 PM »

bwood269@ptd.net

Send me pics Don, i will resize them and post them for you

Take care

Brian

Donald Pape · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2015, 08:36:41 PM »

Thanks Brian. The pictures have been sent to your e-mail.

Brian Wood · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2015, 08:49:02 PM »

Don sent me several photos..First photo is of the interior prior to cleaning

Brian Wood · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2015, 08:50:33 PM »

set 2

Brian Wood · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2015, 08:51:18 PM »

set 3 including the cleaned interior

Donald Pape · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2015, 10:07:58 PM »

Thank you for your picture sizing efforts Brian.

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Author Topic: UNUSED GRISWOLD #9 BLOCK/E.P.U. HEAT RING SKILLET W. ORIGINAL FACTORY LABEL (Read 8936 times)