Different handles on Griswolds

[C. Perry Rapier]

Wow! 1200 lbs. Now that is one big mule. I was going by the size of her frame and what I could see. My neighbors down the road are horse people. They have a huge indoor arena and border over 150 horses, in one barn, so you can imagine how big the place is. Horse people are very nice people and are close knit and share a common bond. Will you had a pair like Sally you could make that combine sing. Also Will, there is an organization here in my county that has horses and mules and they get together and work them. They will go out to a field and take turns plowing ground or whatever the chore. While one guy or gal is out with his team the rest of them stand around with their teams resting or waiting their turns and telling lies and cooking something. As you can probably imagine they use antique farm implements.

[Steve_Stephens]

Sounds like Steve is away for awhile?

Yes sir, but time to look in on the forum and see you all behaving.  And have to answer Liz's questions about the differences amoung her mules' ears.  First, the smooth ears are from the 1950's (possibly from the late 40's) while older mules had the tear drop shaped ears.  The later style mule handles have two variations with a 'groove' down the underside of the ear on the latest versions.  If you go way back to the really old mule ears you will notice even more differences especially if you look behind the ears.  Somewhere in the teens the size number began to be tatooed on the mules ear near its head.  All through the 20's and 30's the ears were somewhat different between one mule and another.  It wasn't until the 40's and the small nametag on the mules that the handles became uniformly similiar among all different sizes of ears.  Hope that answers your questions Liz.  And one from me;  Will you be my Valentine?  Please  Meet me in my alley and I'll give you my valentine.  Hey, you had better take me up on this offer since I have not offered any other valentines this year; too busy with my iron and old fans.
Oh, my answer about the ears was serious if you change mule ears to skillet handles.  I don't see much difference except for the mule's hair on their handles.  Cute mule!

Steve

[NJKane]

LOL... this thread has taken such a funny twist..I am sitting here chuckling w/ my morning coffee. Thanks for the laughs and good humor!

Steve, on a serious side note. I went back to both of my books (blue / red) and was looking at the pictures unfortunately they just seem to show the one side of the handle. Its hard to get a feel for iron in pictures but I am sure trying to read about it.
Can you possibly post some different Griswold handle pictures with a time frame included? Or is this all covered somewhere else on this board I can just save you the trouble.
It seems like I have a pretty different variety of handles on the skillets that I have bought. I haven't had to much hands on experience to know what is older and considered more collectable.
Also I do notice the huge difference in the bottom of the griswold skillets and lets say some of the newer brands being sold in the gourmet stores today.
Thanks again for the laughs... and help.

Liz
question asker from joisey

[Steve_Stephens]

Liz,
You are right about it being hard to learn about all the skillet handles from photos, especially if only one side is shown.

I have yet to master my digital camera or get the time to do it.  Plus I have few Griswold skillets any more.  Any chance you will make it to our convention this year?  If so I'd be happy to discuss this complicated subject in detail.  Looking at many thousands of pans over 30 years has given me and other old time collectors a knowledge of some of the smaller details and aspects of iron cookware.  It is really hard to cover the subject without a lot of work and time.  At the convention there are thousands of pans to look at which makes comparing so easy.  

I think you can find more information from the red and blue books if you go back and look over the handles and photos some more together with the dating on the pictures (which isn't always too close but we don't always know the dates real close).

As to which are the best or more in demand to collect, sometimes you can tell by the prices with the higher prices being the rarer or more in demand.  And much depends on what YOU like.  I disregard values when collecting and get what I like whether it is rare and valueable or common and cheap.  It's the quality and style of a piece that appeals to me regardless of the make or demand.  For the makes covered, the red and blue books do give approximate dates for the various skillets.  One maker's handles will not always mimic another makers pans as all had their own ideas of what a handle or pan should look like.  I do find the Griswold handles to be more pleasing than most makes.

Steve