Before the pictures, a little about why this piece is so important in my collection. My collection has focused on "unmarked" Griswold pieces—that is, pieces manufactured by Griswold in Erie, PA, but without the word "Griswold" inscribed on them anywhere. I chose this to be the theme of my collection for three key reasons.
1. Firstly, Griswold manufactured a fine product. The quality and craftsmanship that went into most of the company's work is superb, and therefore—beyond the mere tantalizing quality of scarcity—their product is worth pursuing.
2. The second reason is practical—one is more likely to find a better deal on pieces that aren't marked Griswold. It is certainly generally cheaper to collect unmarked Griswold gems than it is to obtain LBL skillets, skillet covers, and dutch ovens.
3. The third could be dubbed a form of snobbery. It is personally gratifying recognizing and identifying important "no name" iron, particularly Griswold products. It is especially nice being able to (usually) date the pieces to a much narrower time frame of production than one can usually manage for other brands.
All this being said, I have been able to gather quite a few Erie branded pans, several relatively unmarked gem pans, etc. But I have yet to come across one of the true Grail pieces that fall into this category. Until now.
Griswold No. 11 gem pan:
https://flic.kr/p/2aWvrK1 by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/NThfsj by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/29CzrLe by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/NThdq3 by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/29CzpMK by twillightkids, on Flickr
The pan is essentially intact. There may be a small chip in one of the cups, although it may be a casting flaw. I will be able to tell once it is out of the e-tank. It is remarkably fragile. The handles are the THINNEST cast I have ever seen. I cannot believe they have survived 130 years without cracking. This pan epitomizes exactly what my cast iron obsession is all about.
I normally make it a rule that I only keep pieces that I cook with regularly. This pan will prove to be the exception to that rule. I am, needless to say, ecstatic.
1. Firstly, Griswold manufactured a fine product. The quality and craftsmanship that went into most of the company's work is superb, and therefore—beyond the mere tantalizing quality of scarcity—their product is worth pursuing.
2. The second reason is practical—one is more likely to find a better deal on pieces that aren't marked Griswold. It is certainly generally cheaper to collect unmarked Griswold gems than it is to obtain LBL skillets, skillet covers, and dutch ovens.
3. The third could be dubbed a form of snobbery. It is personally gratifying recognizing and identifying important "no name" iron, particularly Griswold products. It is especially nice being able to (usually) date the pieces to a much narrower time frame of production than one can usually manage for other brands.
All this being said, I have been able to gather quite a few Erie branded pans, several relatively unmarked gem pans, etc. But I have yet to come across one of the true Grail pieces that fall into this category. Until now.
Griswold No. 11 gem pan:
https://flic.kr/p/2aWvrK1 by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/NThfsj by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/29CzrLe by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/NThdq3 by twillightkids, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/29CzpMK by twillightkids, on Flickr
The pan is essentially intact. There may be a small chip in one of the cups, although it may be a casting flaw. I will be able to tell once it is out of the e-tank. It is remarkably fragile. The handles are the THINNEST cast I have ever seen. I cannot believe they have survived 130 years without cracking. This pan epitomizes exactly what my cast iron obsession is all about.
I normally make it a rule that I only keep pieces that I cook with regularly. This pan will prove to be the exception to that rule. I am, needless to say, ecstatic.