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PH: The Griswold Manufacturing Company began as the Selden-Griswold
Manufacturing Co. in Erie, Penn., in 1865 as a producer of hinges, light
hardware and stove furniture. A change of organization and name along with
an expansion of the product line began in the 1880s with tobacco cutters,
spittoons, and finally, the cookware we are most familiar with, including
stovetop waffle irons, kettles, Dutch ovens, and various pots and pans. They
also produced aluminum products starting in the 1890s and enameled ware
in the 1920s and some electric appliances. Competition, finances, and labor
issues during WWII eventually resulted in the sale of the company. In 1957,
the brand was owned by Wagner Manufacturing Co., another iron cookware
producer. Today, both brands are owned by the American Culinary
Corporation of Willoughby, Ohio.
A good oval or “fish skillet” No. 15 is considered hard to find, the lid
As to our specific ice axe, I was only able to find one reference to even more so. The small block logo dates the lid between 1939 and1957,
Christian Schenk: “The ice axes became popular, and soon there were the company’s last mark. I could only locate a handful of reported sales of
three other craftsmen producing ice axes in the same area: Schenk in either the skillet or a skillet with a lid. Sales I did discover include: a #15 fish
Grindelwald, Jorg in Zweilutschinen, and Hasler in Lutschental.” (“The skillet with a lid that sold for $500 at Martin Auction Co. in 2011, a #15
ice axe that glows,” March 1, 2014, www.iceaxes.wordpress.com.) fish skillet without lid and poor surface for $160 at Cordier Auctions in
While ice axes are not rare, this maker seems to be scarce. Most ice axes 2015, and three sales last August of skillets without lids on eBay for $250,
I could locate either at auction or advertised for sale were priced under $275 and $475. (Some earlier eBay sales were evident, but I could not access
$1,000. Perhaps I’d say our seller should be pretty happy – with just four prices.) The seller’s price realized here seems to confirm this is a scarce item.
bidders, perhaps they were aware of uncommon information, or they just
got into a contest for ownership.

$1,025 (16 bids, 7 bidders): Very HTF,
Beautiful Antique 1013C Griswold Oval Skillet
Cover No.15. HTF, beautiful-looking, antique
1013C Griswold oval skillet cover No. 15, a 15-
inch skillet cover in wonderful condition. This
piece has been properly cleaned and seasoned. No
cracks, chips, pitting, rust, or repairs. As with any
Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International Society
vintage cast iron, there are few small scratches or of Appraisers and a founding member of the Appraisers Association of Georgia.
imperfections. (photos courtesy eBay seller amlin96.) He can be reached via the ISA website or at 404-320-7275.

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