Pocket Letter Scale.

Longtime readers here at Flea Market H.Q. will know that we not only love the letters themselves but have in recent years expanded to collecting the various bits and bobs -- accoutrements, if you will -- that are letter adjacent. Back in 2021 we shared our collection of antique letter writing 'guides' as a monthly series. That's why in London earlier this year on a letter ladies themed weekend, we were thrilled to be gifted this delicate relic of postal history: a pocket letter balance.

Have you seen this device before? From what I can find online it is likely pre-war (WW2). Research indicates that they were popular when postage rates changed to include calculations of weight and distance to travel.

Call me an (old) romantic but I love the idea of having this easily to hand for letter 'emergencies'. We've shared before about the importance of a letter writing 'to go' kit in developing a letter writing routine -- what a welcome addition this would have been for our predecessors!

Thank you to friend of archive, Liz Kentish, for this thoughtful and treasured piece for the collection.

Get in Touch.

Thanks for reading! Have piece of postal history you'd like to share? Or a letter story waiting to be told? Send us an email at info@fleamarketloveletters.com