HANSON
letter scale

maker: Hanson Scale Company, Chicago Illinois, U.S.A.
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letter scale, maker Hanson
Hanson letter scale
 

This letter scale is a design made by Marius H. Hansen, Chicago, USA. A patent application was made on August 18, 1932. It took some time: the patent was not granted until April 28, 1936. The scale has two dials. The front dial has the domestic postage data of the USA valid May 1 1937. The following categories are given: Books and Catalogs over 24 pages; Printed Matter Merchandising; First Class 2 cent rate; First Class 3 cent rate; Air Mail; Also zone rates to use for printed matter and merchandise over eight ounces in weight are on this front dial. 8 zones were used. The scale capacity is 2½ Pounds by ounces. The second dial on the right side presents the postage information for First Class Mail to foreign countries. The rates of April 1 1932 are listed. There are two columns, one with the postal rate to foreign countries
 

back of the letter scale
back of the letter scale
 
figure 1 of the patent
figure 1 of patent No. 2,039,164
 

generally and one with the rates to countries listed separately. Most of these countries are situated in Middle or South America. Strange in the list is Melilla a Spanish exclave on the Mediterranean Rif coast of Morocco in North Africa. I had to use Google to learn this. Below some more pictures of this letter scale.

detail 1
top plate
 
detail 2
two pointers
 
detail 3
top of front dial
 
detail 4
postage rate May 1, 1937
 
detail 5
mark at left side
 
detail 6
the two pointers
 
detail 7
several categories
 
detail 10
to foreign countries
 
detail 9
the two dials
 
detail 11
the countries part 1
 
detail 12
the countries part 2
 
detail 8
the rates are of April 1, 1932
 
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« collection part 11 «© copyright André Solversion: October 12, 2007