How to Id a Vintage Cast-Iron Skillet — and Tell Its Quality

We love vintage cast-iron pans! Not only do they look beautiful, but they're one of the few antique items that are likely to last longer the more they're used. Shopping for them, however, can be a little overwhelming. Everything from knowing where to look, to telling a worth-it pan from the not-so-great stuff can be difficult.

Fortunately, Ashley L. Jones has done the heavy lifting (sometimes literally), and she's put a ton of knowledge into her new book, Skilletheads, out now from Red Lightning Books. The following guide to buying vintage pans is excerpted from Ashley's book.