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 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
Curious as to rarity and approximate value of 110 pound Detroit Automatic Scale with last patent date of Oct. 8, 1907. Thank You for your time and expertise.
Answer Hi Kevin,
Patents number 728577 of May 19, 1903 and 867671 of October 8, 1907 pertain to your scale. Patents may be viewed here: http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en , by entering their numbers one at a time.
Scales like yours are generally not of interest to scale collectors due to their large size and heavy weight. Their value can often be to decorators who like to use them as a Kitchen focal point. Retail value might be $75-$200 depending on how decorative they are.