Combination Cooker

[Mike Bohannon]

I think these were discussed before but don't remember who made them.  I looked up the patent # in our list and it is there and was patented by Edward Blankenship, Chattanooga, TN May 7, 1940.  Is it Lodge or did someone else make them or unknown?  I found all three pieces in an antique shop but all the pieces were seperated.  Owner did not know they went together and I didn't tell.  Got all three 'odd' pieces for $28, figured it had to be worth that. I think Ed A. has this set also.  Mike

[Clark Rader]

great find Mike, all 3 pieces are hard to find. What do you think Ed.?
clark

[Roger Barfield]

Mike, I think one sold on ebay for a couple hundred dollars about a year ago.  They are on our foundry list in the dark side under JOHNSON MFG. CO. INV. BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.  I can't see in the photo, is your lid marked?  The one in the foundry section is marked.  

[C. Perry Rapier]

What a deal Mike.  ;) Who'da thought three different pieces, in one store, at different places in the store, all for different monies. I would say that when the store owner bought them they were all separated and he just assumed they were all three different pieces.

[Sandy Glenn]

Way to go, Mike.  That's a great find.

[C. Perry Rapier]

Way to go, Mike.  That's a great find.

And Sandy, for 28.00, you can't beat it with a stick.  ;)

[Steve_Stephens]

Way to go, Mike.  That's a great find.

And Sandy, for 28.00, you can't beat it with a stick.  ;)

Yes you can beat it with a stick...or a log...or a sledgehammer.  That set is so thick that it's almost indestructible.

Steve

[Mike Bohannon]

The top is marked twice with the patent # and "No 1". the middle section is marked with "No1" only.   Haven't cleaned the bottom section yet but can't see any markings.  Thanks for the Johnson Mfg info, I couldn't remember the maker. The top with patent # caught my eye first then I spotted the middle section with the heavy rim-I thought I've seen this on WAGS- is the bottom here?  Yep on my knees, 20  feet from the other pieces :).  I lugged the find up to the sales desk in two trips and asked if that was a best price, they  could only take off 10% ::).  Well, OK I guess I'll take them ;). A lucky find is what keeps us all lookin'.  Mike

Just checked, mine has a different patent # than the one in the foundries list (mine 2199687) but mine is in the patent # list in the 'dark side'  so is it Johnson Mfg or another foundry? Mike

[C. Perry Rapier]

Mike, I'm laughin, remember when we said you know you had it bad when you get down on your knees in an antique store and start lookin underneath stuff on the floor, and Greg Stahl said his girls helped him look in the low places.

Well, your experience just shows that sometimes you gotta get down and dirty just a little in this hobby. Also, did you all ever notice that if you go into an antique store that has nice carpet, clean as a pin, all glass cases shiny as new money, and all items all clean, that the prices are higher than a cats grass.

[Harry Riva]

I think that this is a different piece, probably same maker, than the "standard" Johnson CC we have talked about in the past. My Johnson top "skillet", and every other one I have seen does not have pouring lips and I believe the bottoms I have seen do not have lips either. Just jumped over to the foundries list and there is one pictured there and it looks lipless to me. . We probably need this one on the foundries list as well. Or maybe it's too late for me to be up.

I just went back to the Johnson CC on the foundries list and it looks like two different patents, two different patent holders, and probably two different foundries.
Harry

[Mike Bohannon]

I just edited my earlier post,   my Pat #'s are different than the Johnson Mfg one.  So any thoughts who might have made this one.  Mike

Edit again,  the Johnson Mfg middle section doesn't appear to have a handle and mine does Mike

Johnson patent 1934  mine is 1940.  OK any ideas on who Mr. Blankenship was (patent holder of mine)?

[Harry Riva]

I have no idea who made yours, but I like the look and style of it more than I do the Johnson.
Harry

[Mike Bohannon]

Mike, I'm laughin, remember when we said you know you had it bad when you get down on your knees in an antique store and start lookin underneath stuff on the floor, and Greg Stahl said his girls helped him look in the low places.

Well, your experience just shows that sometimes you gotta get down and dirty just a little in this hobby. Also, did you all ever notice that if you go into an antique store that has nice carpet, clean as a pin, all glass cases shiny as new money, and all items all clean, that the prices are higher than a cats grass.

Perry I felt like a kid hunting Easter Eggs not knowing if they had all been found or not and then after a half hour finding the Golden Egg. ;D  Mike

[ysageev]

Sweet piece 'o iron, Mike.   :)

[Mike Bohannon]

Ed A. can you add any info?  I think I remember you posting a pic of this or a similar set but I can't find the post.  Mike

[Ed Allspaugh]

 Great find! Not much to add that has not been said. We know who made it from the pat. number. I have the top and deep skillet of the Johnson trio, another deep skillet with skillet top not marked, but it has the same thick rim on the deep skillet as the Johnson and the Blankenship. I see these two pieces quite often, but I've never seen the bottom vessel in my travels. I did post awhile back about a complete Johnson that sold on ebay. It's the only complete one I've seen. I got a pic here somewhere.

[Mike Bohannon]

Finished cleaning and seasoning the 'Blankenship' Combination Cooker.

Pic 1

[Mike Bohannon]

Pic of the top piece with Pat #'s  and NO1.  Note it is cast in the center and also smaller at about the 2 o'clock position.  In hand the small # are easy to read.  The center section also has the NO1.  I could find no markings on the bottom section.  Mike

[Mike Bohannon]

Mr. Blakenship states in his patent that this combination is common but his invention is the addition of a skillet handle on the middle piece, pour spouts, and a way to vent the steam to keep from getting burned when opening. This pic shows how it is vented, by rotating the piece used as a lid and opening the pour spouts.  Mike

[bims]

What a beautiful piece.  And a wonderful cleaning seasoning job.  It's inspiring just to look at.  Congratulations on the find.