Not Cast Iron: The Rare And Valuable Vintage Copper Pot That Collectors Dream Of Finding

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From the preeminent Julia Child to Monica Geller on Friends — even entertaining authority Martha Stewart loves copper cookware. The material is known for its fast and even heat that surpasses stainless steel, as well as for its quick response to temperature changes. And if you want the best-possible quality, it can be argued that no one does copper cookware quite like the French. There is even a town named "Villedieu-les-Poêles," or, "God's City of the Pans," in France.

Today, some vintage French copper pots are quite valuable, like the famed Gaillard Paris stock pot. Cooks love it for its conductivity and collectors love it for its beauty, patina, and undeniable craftsmanship. Gaillard was a Parisian coppersmith house that operated from the 1870s well into the 20th century, known for supplying wealthy households as well as restaurant kitchens and even luxury ocean liners. Today, true Gaillard pots and pans go for $400 to nearly $2,000 on secondhand sites like Etsy and it's one of the century-old cookware brands to look for at thrift stores.

To ensure you've found a true Gaillard pot, you'll want to look for the brand's signature stamp, which has evolved over the years. Early pieces will read "J. & E. Gaillard," followed by "Jules Gaillard" through the 1920s and "J. Gaillard" with the Paris address by the 1930s. More modern pieces up to the 1950s bear the "Gaillard Paris" arch. In short, if you find some iteration of the brand stamped on the cookware, you are probably in good shape.

From there, look for such craftsmanship hallmarks as brass handles and copper rivets. The pot should feel substantial and sound solid rather than tinny. Since these have quite a bit of age, and it is natural to see wear and patina. How often should you polish copper cookware? That depends, as many prefer the natural, worn-in look. If you'd rather get them looking shiny and new, there are a lot of at-home methods for cleaning copper, like a simple combination of lemon juice and baking soda. And, don't be afraid to truly use your vintage French copper pot, as it was made to last and serve chef's kitchens and beautiful homes, alike.