AIRWEIGH
letter balance

made in England by UNIVERSAL WOODWORKING CO. LTD. BIRMINGHAM
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letter balance, maker Universal Woodworking Co.
the Airweigh balance
 

The base of this balance is made of casted aluminum. The balance has five weights: 4 oz. 2 oz., 1 oz. and two pieces of ½ oz.. The latter two differ in shape, in this way it is possible to make a nice pile of weights. To check if the scale is in equilibrium, the vertical position of the pointer is a good proof. Practically, to determine the needed value of stamps an equilibrium is not at all interesting. At the front the English inland postal rates are printed for letters, for printed papers and for postcards. These rates were valid in the period October 1 1957 till May 17 1965. This
 
 

five weights
five weights
 

letter balance was produced by Universal Woodworking Co. Ltd. from Birmingham, Engeland. Slightly different models exist also. In the book Scales a collector´s guide by Bill & Jan Berning a silver-grey specimen is presented, it has the postal rates of 1956. Elsewhere, Helix (Universal) Co. Ltd. is mentioned as maker of the Airweigh. Below some pictures of the balance and the original packing.

Airweigh back
the back
 
 

 the weights
animation: the weights
piled or not
 
the weights
the five weights
 
 
detail 1
name and postal rates
 
 
detail 2
rates valid from October 1 1957
till May 17 1965
 
detail 3
registered design
 
 
detail 4
balance and original box
 
 
detail 5
compare the size
with matchboxes
 
detail 6
open at bottom
 
 
detail 7
the original box
 
detail 8
a boon to any office!
 
detail 9
illustration at box
 
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« collection part 9 «© copyright André Solversion: July 3, 2005