Questions & Answers

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Hello Q&A,

I acquired an old postal scale from my grandmother and am trying to find out more information about it. I was hoping that maybe you could help?

It is a "desktop" style: 4 & 1/2" tall x 6" wide x 3 & 1/4" deep, not counting the actual tray on top to place your letter. It is a "Springless Postal Scale," made by "IDL MFG. & SALES CORP., NEW YORK, USA." The lower left corner says: "Copyright applied for." The meter indicates that a 0 - 1 oz. letter costs 3 cents, 0 - 1 oz. airmail costs 5 cents and so on... It goes up to one pound.

It’s made of very sturdy metal. From looking at the bottom, I’d guess it was "galvanized." It’s quite accurate! I use it all the time. I’m just curious as to its age and value. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! P.T.

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Hello P.T.,

The art of valuing collectibles, as I am sure you understand, is difficult under the best of circumstances. The lack of a picture does limit what I can tell you about your scale. However, based upon the information that you did provide, your scale was manufactured post WWII. More specifically, the scale most probably dates in the early 50s. That fact is suggested by the combination of postal rates that you quoted.

Having neither a picture nor a sense of the condition of the piece limits me to making a best value guesstimate based upon the facts that I do know.

"Ideal Manufacturing" scales were inexpensive when originally sold, thus many were purchased and many are still out there. The postal scales with "real collector value" were made before 1900 and of quality. I would place your scale’s value at somewhere between $10.00 and $25.00 retail. I would have preferred to tell you that it is valuable, but … It did belong to your grandmother and as such it does have sentimental value, I’m sure. I hope that answers your question.

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