Letter / Postal Scale in Malachite by Sampson Mordan C.1860

Name: Letter / Postal Scale in Malachite by Sampson Mordan C.1860
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA670635
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Puckerings

Description

A very fine and rare antique English desk or letter scale, the base covered in stunning green Malachite.

The gilded brass or bronze fittings are all hand engraved and the two pans beautifully pierced or reticulated, top quality and quite stunning. The rear of the balance is where the signature for Sampson Mordan, London can be found; the creme de la creme of scale manufacturers.

The four original weights sit to the front, marked F, 1/P, 2/P and 4/P. The P refers to "Postages" which were in 1/2 oz units used from 1840 to 1871. The smallest marked "F" is a 1/4 oz unit used for foreign mail routed from England via France. This makes this example a mid-nineteenth century piece dating to c. 1850/1860.

Looks like there was a label originally on the underside, probably for the retailer affixed with four screws. An absolute gem in excellent condition measuring 6 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" tall.

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Item 41363

Physical Dimensions

Height

8.9cm (3.50")

Width

17.2cm (6.77")

Depth

11.4cm (4.49")

Declaration

Puckerings has dated this piece to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA670635

Dealers Internal Reference

41363

Dealers Notes

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Description

A very fine and rare antique English desk or letter scale, the base covered in stunning green Malachite.

“

The gilded brass or bronze fittings are all hand engraved and the two pans beautifully pierced or reticulated, top quality and quite stunning.

Puckerings

The rear of the balance is where the signature for Sampson Mordan, London can be found; the creme de la creme of scale manufacturers.

fig 1. Letter / Postal Scale In Malachite by Sampson Mordan c.1860 — fig 1. Letter / Postal Scale in Malachite by Sampson Mordan C.1860

The four original weights sit to the front, marked F, 1/P, 2/P and 4/P. The P refers to "Postages" which were in 1/2 oz units used from 1840 to 1871. The smallest marked "F" is a 1/4 oz unit used for foreign mail routed from England via France. This makes this example a mid-nineteenth century piece dating to c. 1850/1860.

fig 2. Letter / Postal Scale In Malachite by Sampson Mordan c.1860 — fig 2. Letter / Postal Scale in Malachite by Sampson Mordan C.1860

Looks like there was a label originally on the underside, probably for the retailer affixed with four screws. An absolute gem in excellent condition measuring 6 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" tall.

FREE Worldwide Registered Airmail Directly From London, England

Item 41363