letter scale marked T.J. Smith, Son & Downes, London
This postal balance or letter scale comes from England. I don't know who the maker is. I do know who the supplier was, namely the company T.J. Smith, Son & Downes, London. That name is on the front left of the balance arm. This company can be found online as a wholesaler and manufacturer of office supplies, photo albums, agendas, etc., see the advertisements at the bottom of this page. Warranted accurate is written on the front right of the balance arm. The right letter plate shows the English domestic postal rates for letters, they were valid from June 22, 1897 to November 1, 1915. Starting from 0 to 4 ounces costs 1 penny up to and including from 14 to 16 ounces costs 4 pence. The weights for weighing are located in recesses on the wooden base. The weights total of this letter scale should be 16 ounces, but it is not. The total is 15¾ ounces. Moreover, they are certainly not all the original weights, two of them bear the Avery brand name.
back of the letter scale
