Sharon Shuman
Member
I am starting this thread to both make a comment and ask for ideas on the subject. In a recent thread, an old waffle iron for sale is pictured by SpurgeonH. The subject of the thread he is commenting on relates to finding sprue marks on a Dutch oven (but which probably aren't actually sprue marks, as the pieces which are so marked are really antique.) Spurgeon, this is just my opinion, but if I were you I'd look really closely at that waffle iron. I don't know about the age, but I do know the pattern on the outside is characteristic of early 19th century design. Can you talk to anyone about its provenance? Does anyone else here have an opinion about this? I have just the paddles of an old waffle iron that is marked Wheeling F undary (yes someone missed the 'o' in the name), and the design of the baking faces (terminology?) is classical 1840's to 50's. (Egg and dart and lyres.) Someone had it hanging on a wall for decoration, or it wouldn't still be around, I expect. I've managed to trace the history of the foundry in Wheeling, and I think my no. 9 teakettle was made by the same firm under the name Sweeneys sometime after 1869. The subject of the items which are early 19th century or older and how you can date them is endlessly fascinating to me. Any comments?