TL;DR - Do you collect a particular class of iron or will you collect anything you deem collectible?
I'm interested in everyone's approach to collecting iron.
When I first started collecting, I would buy just about anything, mostly for gaining experience in restoring the pieces. However, I quickly settled on one kind of goal for my collection. I've in the past always looked for pieces that are older than the most recognizable, stylized trademarks of Griswold and Wagner. My focus has been mostly on Erie branded pieces, but I've also found and kept some early Wagner pieces and the like. I've also found myself interested in gem pans recently, again mostly looking for the older stuff, but unashamed to own a newer piece or two if I find them particularly attractive.
I bring this up because, as I showed in another thread, I recently acquired a LBL #10 with heat ring. I've never had any desire to collect this series of Griswold, as it is one that everyone is after, so my intention was to move it along via auction. However, after having it in hand, I am reluctant to let it go. Not because I have a desire to try and put together that skillet series, but just because I know they are hard to get and if I should want another some time down the road I will probably end up paying a significantly higher price for it.
So question: Do you collect based on a tightly focused idea for one class of iron (either by type, time period, manufacturer, etc.), or do you collect anything that you feel is "collectible"? I'm curious how others do it.
By the way, I'm excluding here a plethora of other pieces that I don't really consider my "core" collection, any more than I consider my modern Lodges to be part of my collection. I have and will continue to purchase good users when deals come along. I'm more interested on the things I guess that you think of when you go looking to add to your pieces.
I'm interested in everyone's approach to collecting iron.
When I first started collecting, I would buy just about anything, mostly for gaining experience in restoring the pieces. However, I quickly settled on one kind of goal for my collection. I've in the past always looked for pieces that are older than the most recognizable, stylized trademarks of Griswold and Wagner. My focus has been mostly on Erie branded pieces, but I've also found and kept some early Wagner pieces and the like. I've also found myself interested in gem pans recently, again mostly looking for the older stuff, but unashamed to own a newer piece or two if I find them particularly attractive.
I bring this up because, as I showed in another thread, I recently acquired a LBL #10 with heat ring. I've never had any desire to collect this series of Griswold, as it is one that everyone is after, so my intention was to move it along via auction. However, after having it in hand, I am reluctant to let it go. Not because I have a desire to try and put together that skillet series, but just because I know they are hard to get and if I should want another some time down the road I will probably end up paying a significantly higher price for it.
So question: Do you collect based on a tightly focused idea for one class of iron (either by type, time period, manufacturer, etc.), or do you collect anything that you feel is "collectible"? I'm curious how others do it.
By the way, I'm excluding here a plethora of other pieces that I don't really consider my "core" collection, any more than I consider my modern Lodges to be part of my collection. I have and will continue to purchase good users when deals come along. I'm more interested on the things I guess that you think of when you go looking to add to your pieces.