back of the PRADEL letter scale
The engraving on this gracefully shaped letter scale reads pesacartas followed by the name PRADEL. Pesacartas is Spanish for letter scale. The unit of measure is GRAMOS, Spanish for gram. This model is more often seen with the text pèse-lettres followed by the name PRADEL, and near the pointer suspension also the word DÉPOSÉ. This letter scale design is originally from France and probably designed by PRADEL. These French scales have GRAMMES as the unit of measure, French for grams. Several versions exist. Er zijn verschillende uitvoeringen. Usually, the weighing range goes up to a maximum of 50 grams, but there are also those which weigh up to 60 grams. There are versions with a stripe of measure per each gram up to 20 grams. Other versions, like the one shown here, have less stripes of measure. Remarkable is the separate indication of 7½ grams. This postal weight limit existed in France until January 1, 1862 and was then changed and raised to 10 grams. I (yet) don't know the Spanish postal weight limits. Some versions of the Pradel letter scale have the postal rates in centimes underneath the weight in grammes, 20 centimes up to 10 grammes, 40 centimes up to 20 grammes, and 80 centimes above 20 grammes (up to 100 grammes). These are the French postal rates for letters valid of the period January, 1862 up to January 1, 1871.
The Pradel also exists with a stand for ease of use. Page 2770 of the journal Equilibrium shows a pillar version with top plate, parallelogram mechanism and stand. My Spanish Pradel letter scale lacked the suspension arm and the letter clip. I complemented the letter scale with home made parts. I made them entirely of brass because it looks better. Probably, the
PRADEL letter scale
