PORTO TAXE
letter scale

This small letter scale comes from Germany. I don't know who made this scale. The letter plate is special and quite rare. The postal rate (Porto Taxe) due for letters and printed matter is printed on it. This for Germany and Austria, and for shipment to countries affiliated with the World Post Association, in French the Union Postale Universelle, UPU. In English the Universal Postal Union (in German: Weltpostverein). The domestic letter rate of 10 Pfennig to 15 grams and 20 Pfennig to 250 grams applied in the period January 1, 1875 to April 1, 1900. The Weltpostverein letter rate of 20 Pfennig per 15 grams applied from July 1, 1875 to April 1, 1900. The domestic rate for printed matter of up to 50 grams for 3 Pfennig applied from January 1, 1875 to October 1, 1918. The rate for printed matter to the Weltpostverein abroad of 5 Pfennig to 50 grams applied from July 1, 1875 to October 1, 1919. In short, this letter scale dates from the period July 1, 1875 - April 1, 1900.
The weighing range is only 50 grams. Between 10 and 20 grams there is a stripe per gram, below and above there is a stripe per five grams. There is no brand or logo on the letter scale.
The height is 150 millimeters, the diameter of the letter plate is 64 millimeters. On the back of the scale and on the back of one of the brass strips is the number 25.
Below are some more images of this letter scale with the rare and special letter plate.