Hanson postal scale

This five-pound capacity postal scale was produced by the Hanson Scale Company, Chicago. The red figures on the scale indicate the postage for airmail, first-class mail three-cent rate, printed matter merchandise, and books and catalogs over twenty-four pages (dependent on the corresponding weight).

The scale has a second system of zone rates which are to be used for printed matter and merchandise (parcel post packages) over eight ounces. The zones are local, 1st & 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

Danish-born Marius Hanson founded his company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1888. It began business in the production of kitchen scales, selling its first three hundred to William Wrigley of chewing gum fame. It began producing package and postal scales in 1912.

Reference:
Stan Hanssen, “Hanson Scale Company,” (3 parts), Equilibrium (2004, no. 3); (2004, no. 4); (2005 no. 1).

Museum ID: 2003.2014.1