the hanging letter scale with 2 ranges
This is a rare letter scale. The scale has two weighing ranges thanks to the foldable and extendable arm with the counterweight. Folded from zero to 50 grams, and unfolded from zero to 250 grams. The stripes are the same for both ranges and divide the range per gram or per five grams. The dial shows the postal rates for letters and printed matter for the interior of Germany and Austria and for abroad affiliated with the World Postal Association. The postal rates can be found in ₰ This is an old symbol for pfennig, and is derived from the Latin denarius, a coin in the Roman Empire. Just like the D for the English penny. The periods in which the stated rates for letters and printed matter for domestic use and for mail abroad differ.
The domestic letter rate applied from January 1, 1875 to April 1, 1900
The letter rate abroad applied from July 1, 1875 to April 1, 1906
The domestic printed matter rate applied from June 1, 1890 to October 1, 1918
The printed matter rate abroad applied from July 1, 1875 to May 6, 1920
[Source: Michel Postgebühren-Handbuch Deutschland]
The period in which the four postal rates mentioned were valid simultaneously can be limited to:
from June 1, 1890 to April 1, 1900.
Ges. geschützt. is written on the counterweight arm, in full Gesetzlich geschützt, translated: legally protected. I haven't found any evidence for it (yet).
This brass letter scale was originally completely nickel-plated, this layer has partly worn away, see the photos. The maximum unfolded scale length is 19 centimeters, the maximum width of the measuring scale is 8.4 cm. The dial is 0.8 millimeters thick.
Below are some more images of this rare letter scale.
back of the letter scale
