UNUSED GRISWOLD #9 BLOCK/E.P.U. HEAT RING SKILLET W. ORIGINAL FACTORY LABEL

[Mark Zizzi]

So,  I'm assuming the last pic is after cleaning? Definitely an improvement, but not as nice as it could be with electrolysis and seasoning.  I think Perry may be right, to preserve the label the rest of the skillet might suffer for it some...although maybe you haven't started on the outside yet. There's more that could be done, both inside and out. But that sure is a nice skillet, Don.  ;)

[Donald Pape]

Mark: I hesitate to do any more clean up than whats already been done to the pan as I really do not want to destroy whatever is left of that label (maybe 80%). Ive talked to a few knowledgeable longtime collector/dealers and not a one has ever encountered a labeled Griswold of such early vintage. The label is what makes the pan special and sets it apart from the plethora of other relatively common Griswold large block logo heat ring #9 skillets. I believe that whatever that dark substance is that coats the outside of the bowl, along with the coat of mineral oil applied to its cleaned up inside surfaces should suffice to preserve it from any further deterioration. I am unfamiliar with the use of electrolysis but dont know how it could possibly clean the inside bowl area any better than it already is. In any case thank you for your interest, your opinions, and your feedback. Best regards, DON.

[Mark Zizzi]

I am unfamiliar with the use of electrolysis but dont know how it could possibly clean the inside bowl area any better than it already is.

Hi Don,
Well, it wouldn't necessarily end up "cleaner", but it could possibly get rid of those areas of splotchy discoloration. No guarantee, but it might.  Electrolysis is a complicated process..I don't understand it all, I just know that it turns red or oxidized iron into black iron. If you're interested, here is a link explaining it better than I can.

http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=handtools&file=articles_363.shtml

The problem with this piece, is after electrolysis, (inside the bowl), you can't season it properly ..which could further make any remaining splotchiness disappear..without destroying the label. I get that the label sets this piece apart from a fairly common skillet, and wasn't advocating you remove it, but I can still see rust on the outside and bottom, as well as some whitish streaks of something on the sides. That is another reason  I said it could be better. Maybe those weren't the final results and you've done more since those pics were taken. If you have, maybe you could submit a couple more pics of your end results. But rust should be dealt with or it could end up as Perry said, a nice label on a now de-valued rusty skillet.
 Anyway, you might someday acquire a piece with no label that has rust. If you want to see what electrolysis can do, here is a fairly recent thread by a member..on her first attempt at it. The pics speak for themselves.  ;)

http://www.griswoldandwagner.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1435359508