G.P.O. letter scale, maker De Grave, Short & Co.
This balance for weighing letters was used in English post offices. The letters G.P.O. in the letter plate and in the recess for the weights on the mahogany base plate indicate this. G.P.O. stands for General Post Office. There are different versions of these letter scales. With stackable brass flat weights, weighing up to 8 oz, up to 1 Lb, 2 Lb or up to 4 Lb. With rectangular block weights up to 8 oz, up to 16 oz or up to 32 oz. weighing. Later there were also versions adapted to gram weights. The later versions were made at Arnold Precision Scales of Redhill in Surrey. There are also copies bearing one of the following names: FJ Thornton of Colchester, A E Sommers & Co (Scales) Ltd. of London, and WILTSHIRE SCALES Co. The size of the base plate is 28 x 11.5 centimeters. The balance is 24.7 cm high. My copy has 3 weights, probably some are missing. This balance is intended for weighing up to 8 ounces. The weighing sensitivity would be 1 grain = ±0.065 grams.
back of the balance
