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About Bill & 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 www.isasc.org, 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

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Collectibles-General (Antiques) - Antique Scale

Expert: Bill & Jan Berning - 10/22/2009

Question

Scale

Hello,
I recently acquired a platform scale that I believe to be a variation of a Fairbanks 11 1/2 scale as it has the drop lever. (#49 in this document - http://www.fairbanks.com/literature/Antique_Scales.pdf)
The moving brass balance has C. Wilson & Son Limited Toronto stamped in it.
There is a serial number on the top of the mast 24652 but no other tags or stamps to identify it as a Fairbanks scale which is odd given their nature for displaying the name.

Can you tell me anything about this scale? It was partially refinished prior to acquiring it which I have completed. It appears to be missing a metal plate on the top of the mast that joins the steel dowels that run from the top of the mast to the platform. Other than that it is relatively complete from what I can see.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Answer
Hi Darrin,

Referring to the Google book: "Sessional Papers Canada Parliament # 15; Report of the Minister of Agriculture 1902" found here: http://books.google.com/books?id=Y0VOAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_...

In this excerpt, on page 200, the author was reporting on the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900.

"C. Wilson & Son, of Toronto, were equally successful in obtaining a silver medal for their full collection of fine scales, from the smallest confectionery to the 1,000 lbs. platform scale. These scales, which indicate price and weights, were regarded with much interest by visitors who had no previous knowledge of the system".

Due to the fact that many scale companies of the late 1800s to early 1900s manufactured very similar platform scales, we do not know that Wilson would have imported scales of this type from Fairbanks in Vermont or the USA. Rather Wilson could have manufactured and sold his own scales in Canada. That Wilson was a fairly successful scale company can be ascertained by the fact that they had a large selection of scales displayed in Paris in 1900. The shipping of multiple scales, even in 1900, would have required a great deal of financial assets.

Retail value might be $75-$175 in USA.

Hope this helps.

Weigh Daily!!!

Bill & Jan Berning

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