Question on a cast iron pot

I picked up this little cast iron pot with a handle at an auction. It's very small and made by Advance Mfg Co, Erie PA. The pot is only 3" tall x 5" opening. The handle is approx 3" tall and is flat across the top and rounding on the sides. I don't have a subscription to Worthpoint, but the description says it "may be" a salesman sample. I can't seem to locate anything else, they are bigger. I thought when I bought it "this shouldn't be hard to find online".....I was wrong. I don't know if I'm not using the right verbiage or what. So I have 3 questions....
Is this a salesman sample of something else?
Should I clean it up before selling?
Any idea on what era this is?
Thank you for lending me your guidance and knowledge, it's always appreciated!

 

It's not a salesman sample - it's an actual pot that was used to melt lead in.

"Lead: Advance Mfg Co Erie Pa Cast Iron Pot Smelting Bail
Description:
This Item Measures Around 3 5/8" Tall And 5" Across"

https://www.2ndcents.com/lot/67354-141294-111342/advance-mfg-co-erie-pa-cast-iron-pot-smelting-bail/

 

How did you find that so quick???? I have been looking for hours! Thank you so very much!!!

 

I've been a pattern maker for iron foundries for over 30 years. I'm pretty good (lucky) with identifying cast metal products.

 

Well, you rock! I appreciate your help!

 

The google fu is strong with this one.

 

Do you have any idea what era?

 

I had to reset my brain not to read Question on a cast iron pot as similar to Message in a bottle.

 

Hard to say - a cast iron pot from the 1920's looks just like a cast iron pot from today. Usually you can date cast items by the logos on the bottom but yours looks like stock flat face lettering that could be from anytime.
Although have fun trying to search for "ADVANCE MFG CO"

 

Ohhhh yeah, that was a fun search . I was hoping there would be a database somewhere that I might be able to get an era for accuracy and value. Darn!

 

People always assume that if it's small it's then a salesman sample. And ya know what "ASSUME" means - LOL! (Sorry, My Grandfather told me that when I was a little kid and I always remembered that)

 

Ya know - just for shits and giggles I'd go with "VINTAGE" - and leave it at that if you are going to sell it. And if you know of someone that is a WORTHPOINT member you can ask them to look the price of it up! Or if someone one from this forum is a member, they might chime in. I'm not a member.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-cast-iron-small-pot-cauldron-417511495

 

We could ask @Kronos to please check the price. TY Kronos!

 

Thanks so much! Yes, they all look the same.

 

$14.95

 

I guess you never went to Flea markets - I'd buy 12" skillets for 10$ -

 

On Worthpoint there is an interesting difference. I did not look at all of them but there was one described with a company mark as a lead melting pot at $79. There were three others described as "small pot" sold at around $20. Last surprise, there is one a bit larger that sold at $1200!!! All in August 2020