SALTER
letter scale
maker: George Salter & Co. Ltd., West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England
4 oz. pocket scale
| This pocket sized little scale is of English origin, it is made by Salter. Salter is a very old firm, it was already founded in 1760. The history of Salter and many Salter weighing scales for all kind of purposes is presented in two extensive articles written by Michael Crawforth in Equilibrium, see the footnote »». The capacity of this little letter scale is 4 ounces. This model has one spring. According to Crawforth, also a two springs version exists. A model with a capacity of eight ounces exists as well. Inside that model two springs are mounted parallel. Crawforth states another 8 oz. model even has three springs. During several decades different models were produced, with and without the postal rates printed on the chart. Other versions have the postal rates at a sticker on the back of the scale housing. Several different designs of the
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weighing a letter
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letter clip are known. The letter scale was sold together with a leather case. Several models of this case in slightly different sizes exist. Most cases have a gold colored print. Some examples of the texts I've seen: "Better be sure than sorry", "Weigh it and See!", "Letter Balance", "Weight - and See. "Letter Scale and Book of Stamps", "Salter 1760 - 1960", "Geo. Salter & Co. Ltd." Also a model exists with a chart showing at the left weight in grams, and in ounces at the right. Below some more pictures of this letter scale.
»» George Salter & Co (part 1), Michael Crawforth, Equilibrium, 1983 No.1, pp. 515-529;
»» George Salter & Co (part 2), Michael Crawforth, Equilibrium, 1983 No.2, pp. 543-554;
the postal rates valid
in the period 1957-1965 |
letter clip
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the SALTER logo
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one spring
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in leather case
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on top of the case
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three 4 oz. scales
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three cases
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three sets
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