letter scale
on upholstered base
with floral motifs

The base of this letter scale is special. The upholstered cylinder is decorated all around with embroidered floral motifs. The fabric has probably faded and bleached considerably over the years. The weighing part is unmistakably from Germany. On the left strip to the scale is the abbreviation GES.GESCH.. In full, it is Gesetzlich Geschützt, literally translated it means "protected by law". The scale goes up to 50 grams and has a division every five grams. Between 10 and 20 grams there is a stripe for each gram. The scale only has numbers at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 50. The unit of measurement is indicated on the left of the scale with Gr. In De Bazar of September 1, 1877, a letter scale with an embroidered cloth is already depicted. In the magazine Gracieuse magazijn voor Neerland's vrouwen in 1892 and 1897, somewhat similar letter scales with embroidery are shown. Letter scales with embroidery were apparently intended for women.
This letter scale is 140 millimeters high, the letter plate is 52 mm round, the foot diameter at the bottom is 68 mm, the foot diameter at the top is 61 mm. The foot height is 39 mm.
Below are some more images of this old letter scale.