silver letter scale, maker L & S
The maker of this small letter scale is the firm Levi & Salaman from Birmingham in England. The design with a curved scale as a front is certainly not unique. In the USA a similar model has been made before, see for example the Star or the Crescent. The L&S logo is on the left side of the scale. Next to it is a ship's anchor, which is the hallmark for Birmingham. Next to it is a lion, which indicates that it is made of Sterling silver with a content of .925. Next to it is the year letter i, which stands for the year of manufacture 1908. I have seen this same scale model with date letters a (1900), f (1905), g (1906), h (1907), o (1913) and v (1920). Under the four mentioned marks is the Registered Design number R.D. 308820. This probably dates from 1897, I have not seen the design drawing yet. Also on the round letter plate are two marks: the lion to indicate the silver content and the letter i for the year of manufacture 1908. There are versions with a rectangular letter plate with rounded corners. On other examples the four marks and the Registered Design number are on top of the scale housing. On other examples the two marks are not on top of the letter plate but on the bottom. This letter scale was most likely made for use in France, given the spelling GRAMMES. It is striking that the scale is divided per 15 grams: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and separately 20 and 100. Most copies have an English scale in ounces, up to 5, up to 8, and also up to 16 ounces. There are copies on which the scale also shows the letter post rates for the interior (British rates) and for abroad (Postal Union rates). The pointer can be adjusted with the knob on top of the scale housing. On the right side is a screw with which the mechanism is secured in the housing. The curved scale of my specimen is somewhat deformed, this unfortunately prevents a smooth movement in the area between zero and
back of the letter scale
