candlestick letter scale made for use in France
This letter scale design is known as candlestick. The scale depicted here was intended for use in France considering the measurement scale is divided in gramme. Previously a candlestick was shown with the plural grammes on the scale, see this candlestick, made by Joseph & Edmund Ratcliff from Birmingham in England. The weighing range is 40 grams. On the left side of the scale are the numbers 7½, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 gram at the stripes, on the right just the stripes of measure. The intermediate values 25 and 35 only have a line.
The postal weight limit for letters of 7½ grammes was valid in France until January 1, 1862. Then the first postal weight limit for letters became 10 grammes. Only in the postal traffic between France and Britain (since 1833 until 1875) and between France and Prussia (since 1837 until 1875) the postal weight limits still were divided per 7½ grammes.
The most famous English names are R.W. Winfield (Robert Walker) and J. & E. Ratcliff (Joseph & Edmund). A candlestick made for use in England can be seen here. The scale of this letter scale gives the weight in ounces and the corresponding letter rate in pennies, indicated by the letter D.
More information is offered in Equilibrium 2006 issue no.1, Brian Brass, Candlesticks, Part 1, pp.3099-3109 and in Equilibrium 2006 no.2, Brian Brass, Candlesticks, Part 2, pp.3127-3133.
Below some more pictures of this early old letter scale.
back of the candlestick
