Customer Reviews

The Book of Griswold & Wagner: Favorite * Wapak * Sidney Hollow Ware (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm just getting started collecting Griswold cast iron, and I bought this guide recently because I wanted some sort of reference point for assessing cast iron at auctions, flea markets, antique malls, etc. I'm not a dealer, and (so far, anyway) I don't purchase or sell any cast iron on-line.

I really like this guide, since it's descriptive, inclusive, and has photos and illustrations which are more than sufficient for determining what you're looking at when you're standing over the vendor's table. The major complaint that I've read about this guide is that the prices haven't been updated. That's true - it says right in the front of the book that the prices were gathered in 1995, even though this is the fifth edition and has supposedly been revised a few times since. But, I get the impression from what I'm seeing in the marketplace that, whether due to this book itself or due to the market for cast iron, the prices quoted are still fairly accurate for most pieces. At any rate, it still serves as a great relative pricing guide, to tell you how the various pieces compare to each other. People have said that the prices quoted in here are not reflective of on-line auctions for cast iron, though whether they're generally lower or generally higher, I don't know. Since I'm not buying or selling on-line, I can't really comment, but I do know that on-line bidders have a tendency to go haywire sometimes. These seem to me to be accurate prices for antique malls or flea markets, though. A few people have complained about the quality of the photos, but I think that this is a baseless complaint, since the photos and illustrations are very clear and easily sufficient to distinguish one piece from another. The authors even show a few select counterfeits, and do a side-by-side comparison of the genuine piece versus the counterfeit. They also included a nice informative blurb about the history of each company which is represented in this guide, and a list of part numbers for each line which is invaluable if you're trying to tell just what it is you're looking at. I wish I could give it four and a half stars - it deserves the extra half. I'd give it a fifth star if they'd put a little more effort into detailing some of the diagnostic features typical to pans of a specific vintage - I'm still a little in the dark about just which handle is the "old handle" and which handle is the "new handle," given that I've seen at least four or five handle styles on these pans, and I'd like to know a bit more about some of the skillets which were manufactured by Griswold but don't say "Griswold." such as Victors and Puritans, etc. The authors do give full pricing and photograhic information for those makes, but they don't really give any information about why they exist or why they don't say "Griswold" on them.

By the way, this review is mostly focused on Griswold. I don't collect Wagner, Favorite, Sidney Hollow-ware, or Wapak. On the whole, I would say that even though I don't collect these brands, this is a very good guide for Wagner as well, and an alright guide for the other three brands. Favorite, Sidney Hollow-ware, and Wapak don't get nearly the attention that Griswold and Wagner get in this book, but I get the impression that those companies weren't as successful and didn't have quite the diversity of products in the first place that Griswold or Wagner did.

Very pleased.

If you collect cast iron skillets this is more or less a must have guide, price of skillets in the book are out of date but very good at what's what and who's who, Amazon had this on sell for 19.95 good buy.

I have been a serious collector of cast iron skillets, particularly Griswold for a number of years. This is the best resource book that I have found. It helps me to know which items are more rare thus worth more. I am delighted to own it.

My grandfather loves this book. He is now collecting Griswold cookery and is having a blast and thanks this book for giving him more and more to learn on the items!

The Book of Griswold & Wagner is a great reference book for buyers, sellers, and collectors of cast iron cookware. It has already helped me make good purchases.

This book is very helpful as a reference for collectors of cast iron. I wish it was up-dated but it is still a great help.

This book is a must for and collectors and newbies alike. Lots of pictures and other information that help you make informed decisions when buying cast iron cookware.

I just purchased this book. I received it today and was diappointed. It has detailed photos and prices, but not on a lot of Griswold items. I wish they would have focused on Griswold alone, and make another one for Wagner. Then they could have included more products. I'm still looking for a better one. I know it is more organized than the Griswold Book. But not as many items. How about a new book that combines the features of the Blue Book and the number of items of the Griswold Book.? Publishers?

best reference book i could find. If you collect cast iron this book is a must have , the panman is a legend in this field. IF you want a signed edition go to panman.com you will pay full price or buy from amazon at a great discount

This is a very good book. Lost of useful information. Also a lot of detailed pictures. This book is a must have for any cast iron cookware collector.