Getting started in cast iron collecting can be as easy as signing on to E-bay and finding something you like and buying it for the beginner.There is so much to choose from that it can be overwhelming where should you start? There is a easy answer to that question.Start with what you like!There are serious collectors who search high and low for Griswolds and Wagners and have large budgets to pay for them when they find them.Then there are people like myself that have a small cast iron budget that have to be careful with our money.Thats why I stay with what I like if you do this you can have pieces that you will always cherish not just pieces with a brand name and a high price.Like a lot of collectors I use my cast iron almost daily to cook with so if this is what your intentions are always check the condition of the pieces you buy and make sure it is in usable condition.Dont buy pieces that have been painted to look pretty or cracked,warped,or has pieces missing etc.In most cases unless it is a very rare item you can always find a better one if you wait.If you plan on buying much online on sites such as E-bay the first purchases you should make should be a book on cast iron. There are many very good books on this subject available.You need to know what these pieces are worth before you start to bid or buy.The sellers are always going to think there pieces are worth more than you do.So its up to you to know the difference.Reading books will also serve you well at antique shops and flea markets garage sales and anywhere else cast iron is sold.There are many groups online to help you with advice on cast iron. Many groups have online forums where people can discuss there collections and answer questions from new members and many of these groups are free to join.The best advice I can give here is have fun collect what you like and use what you collect. Take good care of your collection and you can pass it down for many years to come.