J.G. DÉPOSÉ letter scale
This letter scale was made in France. The scale is marked J.G. and below these initials is the word 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 scale weighing capacity is 100 grams. There is a stripe of measure per gram up to 15 grams. Above 15 grams, one stripe per five grams. The unit of measure grams is indicated on the scale at 15 grams. The scale is largely made of brass. The diameter of the wooden base is 9.8 centimeters, the letter tray is 7.6 centimeters round. The letter scale is 17 centimeters high.
This letter scale resembles this letter scale, but that scale frame has slightly different curls and the shape of the arm with the counterweight is also different.
Earlier, two letter scales also marked with the letters J.G. were shown, see this balance and this small scale.
Below some more pictures of this letter scale or in French: pèse-lettres.
back of the letter scale
