letter scale on a strange triangular base
This letter scale is a very strange specimen. It is what is called in the antique world a marriage: two parts of different objects are connected to each other to form a whole. After some searching on the internet it became clear to me that the triangular base part was originally the bottom part of a candle holder, see the photos. The pewter candlestick has a brass dish to catch any dripping candle wax. The complete candlestick is approximately 25 centimeters high. This letter scale without the cast iron base has been attached by someone to the lower part of the candlestick.
This page shows a complete letter scale with a more common base, with a measurements scale that also shows the German postal weight limits. This letter scale has a slightly higher weighing range of 250 grams. The letter scale on the triangular base has a range of 150 grams.
The scale reads in succession:
- BRIEFE (= Letters) above 15; this was valid from January 1, 1875 to April 1, 1900;
- DRUCK S. (in full: Drucksachen = Printed Matter) above 50; this was valid from January 1, 1875 to April 1, 1900;
- WAAREN-PR. AUSL. (in full: WarenPRoben Ausland = Samples Abroad) above 100; this was valid from April 1, 1879 tot April 1 1906;
The letter scale part dates from the period 1 April 1879 to 1 April 1900. I do not know how to date the candlestick part. The designer has gone all out in depicting many faces. The height of this letter scale is 26 centimeters, the sides of the foot triangle are 8.6 cm. The letter plate is 7.6 cm round. The whole weighs 533 grams.
Below are some more images of this remarkable letter scale.
back of the letter scale
