letter scale, maker J. Girard
This tiny letter scale originates from France. The largest diameter is 39 millimeters, the total length is 82 millimeters, the sheet thickness is 0.8 millimeters. The own weight of the letter scale is 27.4 grams.
The letter scale has the initials J.G. and below this DÉPOSÉ. By searching old French magazines and newspapers at Gallica I came up with three entries in Paris-Annuaire Général de l'industrie et du commerce of 1900. On page 373 is Girard (J.) a fabric. de siphons et pèse-lettres. imp. de l'Orillon 5. On page 790 there is Girard (J.) fabrique de pèse-lettres en tous langues. Marque déposée J.G. imp. de l'Orillon 5. On page 1294 there is a slightly different text, there it is: Girard (J.), fabrique de pèse-lettres en tous genres. Marque déposée J.G. impasse de l'Orillon 5. So it is very likely that J. Girard from Paris is the maker of letter scales with the J.G. Brand. The company existed from 1889-1899 at address impasse de l'Orillon 3, and from 1900-1905 at address impasse de l'Orillon 5 (source: Le Système Metrique 1993, no.1, pp. 751). In Archive commerciales de la France of June 21, 1905 it is reported that Restorf bought the company from Girard-Le-moine (communautairé) on June 8, 1905. It is unclear whether Restorf continued to make use of the J.G. trade mark. The word DÉPOSÉ indicates the design was registered. I have not found a patent or design registration yet.
The letter scale has two scales of measure and two indicators. The upper scale goes from right to left from zero to forty-five grams. The values 0, 5 , 15, 25 , 35 and 45 grams are indicated by stripes and figures. The lower scale goes from left to right from zero to fifty grams. The values 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 grams are indicated by lines and numbers. Both scales don't have any additional stripes. The unit of measure gram is engraved on both scales. The letter clip is a special model. Below some more pictures of this letter scale, or in French: pèse-lettres.
back of the letter scale
