This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
"Penny scales" were first introduced into the United States from Germany in about 1885. Taking in approximately $50 million in their first year of operation, they started out in drug stores and groceries and soon moved into railroad stations, subways, movie theaters, banks and anywhere else the public was likely to go en masse. This fabulous example dates to 1922 and is known as the "Columbia Mirror." It is 18" wide, 9" deep and 70" tall, with a mirrored front housed in a wood frame atop a white porcelain base with a tiled platform. The dial goes as high as 290 pounds and reads "Columbia Weighing Machine Company, New York." On the top is an ornate coin slot that reads "one cent." The top half of the back is open, revealing the intricate working mechanism. In perfect working order! This item will be expensive to ship.