front of the Ratcliff letter scale
This letter scale model is known as candlestick. The scale shown here is intended for use in France, given the scale in grammes. This candlestick was made by Joseph & Edmund Ratcliff from Birmingham in England. The weighing range is 60 grammes. On the scale on the left are 0, 7½, and 15 grammes, on the right are the values 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 grammes. The letter post weight limit of 7½ grams were used in France until January 1, 1862. After that, the first weight limit became 10 grams. Only in postal traffic between France and Great Britain; (from 1833) and between France and Prussia (from 1837) the rate per 7½ grams remained in effect until 1875.
The most famous English makers of candlestick letter scales are R.W. Winfield (Robert Walker) and J. & E. Ratcliff (Joseph & Edmund).
More information can be found in Equilibrium 1982 issue no.1, Brian Brass, Candlesticks, pp.403-408, in Equilibrium 2006 issue no.1, Brian Brass, Candlesticks, Part 1, pp.3099-3109, in Equilibrium 2006 issue no.2, Brian Brass, Candlesticks, Part 2, pp.3127-3133 and recently in Equilibrium 2023 issue no.1, D.F. Crawforth-Hitchins, Loops of Learning, pp.5036-5044.
An almost identical Ratcliff letter scale was previously shown, see here. Only the letter plate differs, see the photos at the bottom of this page.
This candlestick is 160 millimeters high. The letter plate is 45 mm round. A compression spring provides the counterforce. The letter plate is screwed onto the central stem. The cap is screwed onto the central cylinder, see the photos.
Below are some more images of this early letter scale by Joseph & Edmund Ratcliff.
back of the candlestick
