POSTAMATIC letter scale

Phila PA, U.S.A.
bruine lijn
Postamatic letter scale, U.S.A.
letter scale
 

This spring balance very strictly is a letter scale. The scale presents next to one another the rates for letters and for Air Mail. A division in ounces is not given. The range corresponds with 4 ounces. For letters this postal scale starts at 4 cents per ounce. The Air Mail rate starts at 7 cents. This letter scale was made in more colors: red, yellow, green and blue. According to Bill & Jan Berning, [see literature], also clear specimens were made. I still haven't seen one. Different postal rates on the Postamatic are found: 3 cents (1932-1958), 4 cents (1958-1963), 5 cents (1963-1968). A specimen from 1968, with a starting rate of 6c, doesn't present this rate on the scale itself. The postal rates are glued into the lid of the box of the scale. Berning states also that specimens exist with a 2 cents first class rate(1919-1932), I still have not seen an example of this. On older specimens the abbreviation LTRS (Letters) is used. Specimens from 1958 and more recent, have the abbreviation 1ST (First Class).

Postamatic letter scale, U.S.A.
letter scale
 
inside of lid
directions for use in the lid
 

Over the years several packings were applied. A few scales have a commercial print at the plastic wall. I still don't know whether or not a patent was granted to the design of the Postamatic. Below some more photos of this pure letter scale.

detail 1
box of the scale
 
detail 2
mark at lid
 
detail 3
scale in box
 
detail 4
weighing
 
detail 5
spring loaded at 4oz.
 
detail 6
clumsy clip
 
detail 7
letters 4c per oz.
 
detail 8
simple spring
 
detail 9
Pat.Pend. =
patent pending
detail 10
yellow, 3c per oz.
 
detail 11
red
 
detail 12
green
 
detail 13
red, 4c per oz.
 
detail 14
blue, 5c per oz.
 
detail 15
packing 1968
 
bruine lijn
« Sol collection: part 2«       © copyright André Sol version: April 18, 2004