AboutBill & Jan Berning Expertise We can answer almost any question regarding antique scales of any type.
Experience We are dealers in antique coin operated penny scales and parts. We collect antique scales of all types.
Bill has been buying and selling scales and mail order penny scale parts since 1983. Jan started collecting small scales of all types in 1977. Our combined collection of antique scales contains over 2200 scales. We are the authors of the book Scales: A Collector's Guide and The revised & Expanded 2nd Edition of Scales: A Collector's Guide. Jan is the editor of "Equilibrium" the journal of The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors. Our website is www.PennyScale.com
Organizations The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors, Coin Operated Collectors Association
Publications Articles by or about the Bernings have appeared in issues of “Southeastern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine”, “This Old House”, "Reminisce", “Equilibrium” and “Country Living”.
Education/Credentials Jan: BS FACS & Art University of Georgia
Question Hi,
I have a brown wood and cast iron?? the metal is brown as
well scale that says "Howe Scale Brandon, VT No. 10"
on it. It also says "Pat. Jan 10 1856 & Aug 20 1867"
Anyway to determine what year it was made and what it may
be worth? I think I paid like 120.00 for it some 20 plus
years ago.
Thanks,
Michelle in California
Answer Hi Michelle,
William W. Reynolds of Brandon, Vermont was issued patent number 67908 for a platform scale on August 20,1867. It was assigned to the Howe Scale Company in Brandon, Vermont. Howe was in business in Brandon, VT from 1867 to 1877 after which they moved to Rutland, Vermont. We could not locate a patent for any scale dated January 10, 1856. Your platform scale dates from 1867-1877.
Scales like yours are not very collectible to most collectors as they are too big and too heavy.
An early scale like yours in good to excellent condition would have a retail value of $100-$250.
