Slant vs. Block

[Carol]

I understand that the slant logo was used before the block (referring to both being large emblem).  That would make me think that the slant would be more desirable or more collectible.  But I've read, in a couple of places, that it's not.  Can someone shed some light on this?

[babyface]

Hi Carol! You raise a good question. It all goes back to the old addage "Older is'nt always better". Most collectors strive to piece together a complete set of Griswold skillets. For example, block logo E.P.U.s, with heat rings, are a very popular set. Some of those pieces are much harder to find than their slant logo counterparts, i.e. #4's and #5's. Those pieces will command much higher prices than slant logos. Conversely, when referring to more common pieces, i.e. #6, #7, #8, and #9; slant logos will generally bring a little more. The bottom line is, whether block or slant, rarity and desirability of the individual pan drives the market. Actually if you want to generalize any single charicteristic, it seems to me that just about any nice Griswold with a heat ring is "ringing the bell" on ebay. Common block and slant logos with heat rings often end anywhere from $50 to over $100 each! Im sure other, more knowledgable forum members will provide you with much more information about your question.

[C. B. Williams]

Ok, the blue book has slant epu at 1910 to 1929, Next it has block epu at 1920  to 1930.  Note, there are 9 years that over lap assuming these years are right.  Actually 10 if the slant ended at the end of '29 and the block started at the start of '20. I suspect that in those overlapping years the slant was produced more because the block was the 'new kid' on the block. (pun?) If the dates are correct and my guess is anywhere near correct, that leaves only 1 year that the block epu was made exclusively, except that the block epu smooth bottom also started in 1930 to 1939. The #2 and #13 are very hard to find, with the numbers 4,5,20,14, 11, and 0 following in roughly that order. I have the full set with the #0 which has the smooth ground interior like it's big brothers. I wonder how many full sets are together? In short, it seems that many more slants were made than blocks, although the slant is older it is not as rare. Carol, did this help? C B

[Greg Stahl]

I'm travelling again but because of wifi, have access, [smiley=icon_bananas.gif]


cb or someone should make a poll of how many folks have a full set and of what

[Carol]

Yup, CB and Donald, definitely answered my question.  I'm not likely to collect an entire set, and so I'm actually going at this sorta azz backward.  I have a #3 lg. block with HR (a little sweetheart), a #5 lg. block smooth, a #610 lg. block skillet (all Grizzies) and 3 pieces of WW, two of which are chef skillets.  I'd kind of like to have one piece in a Lg. slant just because I like the way they look.  LOL.  And maybe a Victor and an Erie.  So there's no rhyme or reason to my "collection."  At least to start with it's gonna be "eclectic."  

Thanks for the info, I couldn't figure that one out.

[C. B. Williams]

Carol: I also have a full set of the ERIE, 6 thru 12, with the heat ring at the edge, get one of these, really thin an light weight. In my opinion, for cookers, I like the large block, smooth bttm. best. No heat ring in the way and works equally on gas or electric. ( made in 2 thru 10) C B

[C. Perry Rapier]

Carol, it sounds like a simple case of "yep thats how I (we) got started". I have collector pieces but I like to use them as well. The largest user piece I have is a number 11 Griswold Dutch Oven. It is a plain top and I do not think it was ever used. I use it now. I have a raised letter one as a collector piece. I also have a 13 that I am going to use one of these days to cook a huge pot of chili in. Or I may just butcher a small hog and cook down the lard and cracklings in it. I visualize the 13 as being used in a firehouse or a boarding house. I suppose the firehouses where you all live are like mine. They are on 24 hours and then off a couple days or something. So they eat, live, and sleep there.

[Harry Riva]

Carole, One more thing. The slant set with just the ERIE under the Griswold trademark is much harder to assemble than the block set since the 14 is a very hard to find skillet and the # 1 is extremely rare and expensive. All that said, IMO none of the sets are as good looking as a good set of block heat ring skillets.
Harry

[C. Perry Rapier]

Harry, I totally agree with you. They are my favorite and I consider them a work of art. Next I like the old "ERIE". If I could just get me a number 13 straight lettered I would have the whole set. I been looking and hoping.

[C. B. Williams]

Funny: On the large block with heat ring, I had all but the #2 for about 2 years, and had a plywood cut-out hanging where it would go with a big ? on it. I finally got the skillet about 2 years ago, people have this really weird look on their face when I say what I paid for that little thing. But, some of them do things that I don't understand.

[C. Perry Rapier]

C.B., I hear what you are saying. I have the same kind of friends. But, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And when I'm holding one of these beauties I see and appreciate the beauty.

[Carol]

Harry, you mean block, HR, EPU (large logo) and not "Erie"?  That's what my #3 is.  Gawd, that thing arrived in a mess.  Crusted, gunky, uggggly!  Here's a photo of it.  Even if I switched collection to one type and it wasn't that, I'd never part with this one because it's the first one I messed with, and boy did it take a heap o' messin' !!  

I'm posting the photos partly just to see if they'll come through but also to see if this is what you're referring to.  

[Carol]

And here's the front.  Apparently you can't put two photos in one reply form.  

Now these photos will probably BORE you to death, but cut me some slack, I ain't never had no vintage skillets afore.   :-[

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Yeap, that is what he is refering too. THey seem to be the most popular to collect but I am partial to the slant ERIE's. I don't know why, I just am.

[Carol]

Yeap, that is what he is refering too. THey seem to be the most popular to collect but I am partial to the slant ERIE's. I don't know why, I just am.

Troy, I kind of think they're prettier (slant).  If I add another pan anytime soon I'm going to try to find one just to see (and have) the difference.

[Steve_Stephens]

...the blue book has slant epu at 1910 to 1929, Next it has block epu at 1920  to 1930.  Note, there are 9 years that over lap assuming these years are right.  Actually 10 if the slant ended at the end of '29 and the block started at the start of '20. I suspect that in those overlapping years the slant was produced more because the block was the 'new kid' on the block. (pun?) If the dates are correct and my guess is anywhere near correct, that leaves only 1 year that the block epu was made exclusively, except that the block epu smooth bottom also started in 1930 to 1939.

Carol and C.B.
I don't fault your reasoning C.B. on the dating but I don't agree at all with the dates give for many pieces or the range of dates in the blue book.  If you haven't already, look at "Griswold Trademarks" under Educational Information to the left of this page.

My interpretation of the slant TM taken from the US Trademark site is that it was first used in commerce in 1909.  The block TM seems to have first been used in 1925 though I wonder if it wass more like c.1922.  

The Hearts Star waffle iron was patented (design patent) in 1920 and uses the slant TM while the 1922 patented waffle irons have the block TM.

In any case, I would say the slant TM was first used in 1909 and the block anywhere from about 1921 to 1925.  As for any overlap in selling the slant TM and Block TM pieces I think there would be some overlap but not that much, especially on popular pieces like skillets (at least in the more popular sizes).  

I see the end of the slant/EPU skillets being about 1922-24 at which time the block TM heat ring skillets came in.  They probably lasted until sometime around 1930 but I don't know anyone who really knows or how anyone would find out.  Block TM smooth bottom skillets may have gone from c.1930 to about 1940.  Small TM came out in 1939 I think but on the hammered pieces and hinged pieces.  Again, very hard to pin down dates since most catalogs don't show the bottom markings or trademarks in their illustrations or photographs.

If the slant TM was used well past the 1922-1925 period I would think it would have been on other than skillets and for less popular pieces.  There are some slant TM skillet griddles that are porcelainized that date from the 1950's I think so the slant TM did not go completely away for many years on a few isolated items.

Back to plain skillets;  I would wonder why there would be any overlap to slant and block TM's other than maybe a year or why any overlap more than a year between the block HR and block SB.  I only wish the book(s) had given some documentation to their dating.  I have talked to Dave about dating in his books and he has told me that the new blue book will have some dating revisions.  As to the dates that I, personally, believe to be correct I will have to say that they come from my own observations for the most part over 30 years.  I try to come up with what would be logical but, in doing so, perhaps I may have overlooked some information or just be plain wrong at times.  I'm always open to new information that is based on some substance and, better yet, there is some proof.

Steve