kitsch letter scale
I do not know who made this shoddy letter scale. On other copies, a nameplate is sometimes attached with Royal Post on it. There are some more extensive versions where in addition to the letter scale, there is also a candle holder and a wax stamp in a holder on the shelf. The adjusting knob is for the appearance and does not work. The scale has graduation marks but no numbers or unit of measurement. In the magazine Equilibrium No.3 1979, on page 144 under the heading CAVEAT EMPTOR (= buyers beware / buyer pointed out) that extended version is shown. The candle holder is called wax container here. According to the text, this scale was offered in 1979 by an American mail order company for 245 USD. It would be a perfect copy of a weighing instrument described by Leonardo da Vinci. The indicated height is 17 inches (430 mm). The letter scale shown here is "only" 270 mm high. For some copies offered on the internet, Italy is stated to be the country of origin.
Below some more pictures of this kitsch letter scale.
back of the letter scale
