How about this one?

[gt]

I saw this in an antique store yesterday.  Just wondered who made it.

Thanks Gary

[g0028069]

Don't know what the price is, but you can find "IT" on Ebay.  However, the hinges are different.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-WAFFLE-IRON-CAST-IRON-nr_W0QQitemZ6235794489QQcategoryZ11655QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Greg Stahl]

my guess is European and likely French.  

[Tom Neitzel]

I agree with Greg.  May even be Belgian, there are a lot of waffle and gaufrette irons that come from there.  It's clear there shold be a base for this too.  This is the scandinavian desert waffle, 5 heart shapes.

tom

[gt]

Thanks guys.  When I first saw the tag on it I thought it said $14 but when I looked closer it was $140 and had been marked down from $280.  It'll probably be there a long time.

I went through four stores yesterday and I can't believe how they moan about a soft antique market yet so much of the stuff is priced way above current market prices.  One item was a Wagner #9 smooth bottom skillet for $120!

Gary

[miniwoodworker]

Gary, I have the same problem here. I live in a rural area of NC, so the places to visit, within a reasonable driving range with today's gas prices, are few. It's so discouraging to see a piece that I want, only to read the price tag and have to put it back on the shelf. No point of asking if they have a better price, because even if they come down on the price, it's still way too high.  :( In some cases, "antique" imports and common Lodge pans are priced higher than new. In essence, I have to pay for the priviledge of cleaning off the gunk.

I'm looking forward to March, when the yard sale season starts around here. Maybe then, I'll be able to find some of the items I want at prices closer to actual market value. A bargain from time to time would be nice, too.  ;)

Lee

[John Knapp]

A soft market...????.....They are all complaining about the so call soft market because of Ebay.  We can 'bit_h and moan' all we want about Ebay, but it sure has brought the prices on 95% of "stuff" down to reality.  Before Ebay took a hold the antique shops was the only real outlet for iron and other things unless you wanted to be on the road 24/7 attending auctions and antique shows.  When that was the hot venue they all priced the stuff basically out of sight.....I don't feel sorry for any of the fools, they are getting exactaly what they deserve.  When I see something I am interested in and the price is way out of line, I advise the shop owner to check Ebay and find out what the piece is bringing.  They retort "I don't look at Ebay"...I say back 'well you better if you want to sell this crap and stay in business'.
John

[gt]

I don't have any experience with antique shops in the past but I think they could do well if they just got their prices in line.  If the price was the same, I would much prefer to buy a piece I could pick up and look at versus a couple of fuzzy pictures.  

Another thing they do is use prices from old books then claim the item should be worth a lot more now.

Gary

[g0028069]

Gary,
Check this one against your pictures.

http://cgi.ebay.com/19th-C-FRENCH-CAST-IRON-WAFFLE-IRON-FAB-KITCHENALIA_W0QQitemZ6234163163QQcategoryZ975QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[gt]

Brik,

Yep, that's it or one darn close to it - thanks

[Troy_Hockensmith]

95 percent of the time if something is in an antique store it has "already been found"!   My most common line to Tracey when we're out and about is "man, they are proud of that".

[Fusion_power]

Lee Mitchell,  There is a 314/315 high base waffle iron on Ebay now that can probably be bought for $35 plus shipping.  Not sure if you want it, but it looks decent and the price is definitely better than the antique store prices you have been seeing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6236857498

[miniwoodworker]

Thanks for your head up Darrel. Appreciate, too, that you remembered that this is one of the items I asked about.

I haven't done any bidding on eBay, yet. I've been reluctant to set up an account after reading so many war stories here and at other places. For this one, I think I'll print out the results and see if the local seller will match it. She recently setup her shop. I don't know yet, how flexible she is with her prices. This should be a good test case.

I am giving some serious thought to setting up an account and diving in after the first of the year. Have too many non-cast irons in the fire right now.

Thanks, again. Wish me luck with that local dealer.

Lee

[John Knapp]

Hey Lee,  Dive into Ebay...don't be afraid.  It is about the only venue we have to fnd and collect iron, unless you want to run around the country to antique shops and auctions, etc 24/7.
I have said before, Ebay has some real winners and scammers selling.  You just gotta do your homework and be "street smart".  If you let down your guard someone will try to get in your wallet.  Just be savvy about your business and you will have VERY little trouble.
John

[C. B. Williams]

I think that was very good advice from John.

[miniwoodworker]

Thanks for the advice, John. And, I know you're right. Around here 95% of what I see is either fairly new Lodge or made in China. The other 5% is about double or more of the market value.

Right now, I'm trying to learn some "street smarts" via the discussions here in the public forums and in the Members Only area. I already feel a little more comfortable about it than I was a few weeks ago. It's been good to read about the successes and resolutions of problems.

Thanks for your encouragement.
Lee