VINTAGE ENGLISH BOOTS KITCHEN SCALES 9 METRIC WEIGHTS ON CAST IRON STAND

John Boot, an agricultural worker, moved to Nottingham, England, and opened a small herbalist store in 1849, from which he prepared and sold herbal remedies. His business soon proved popular, especially with the working poor of Nottingham's new industries, who could not afford the services of a doctor. After John's death in 1860, his son, Jesse took sole control and his talent for business was soon evident. He expanded the range of products to include proprietary medicines and household necessities. He adopted a strategy of buying stock in bulk and selling his goods much cheaper than his competitors, advertising under the slogan "Health for a Shilling". In 1884, Jesse's first shops opened outside the city, in Lincoln and Sheffield. Jesse's policy of superior goods at competitive prices delivered with expert care, meant that the Boots name quickly became synonymous with quality, value and service. 

History does not record when the company started to manufacture kitchen scales. 

They balance well. Should they ever get out of balance, rather unlikely, there is a small box of ball bearings on the underside of the weights stand which can be pulled out sideways. 

They have been used but the condition is excellent.There is some reflection in the photos, particularly on the weights. 

There is some discolouration in the brass bowl. Brass is soft and when potentially corrosive stuff, like salt, is placed in the bowl and not wiped clean a reaction happens and the surface of the brass is affected. Sometimes it can be almost all removed but it rather depends on how long the stuff was left in there. Almost every bowl I come across has some similar marks. 

They are a nice size, 12” wide, 7.5” high, 9" deep including the bowl, not taking up too much room on your worktop. 

I cannot say when these scales were made. I wish I could as I get asked all the time. There are no historical records of scales manufacture and all my research has not uncovered much information. At one time, in the very early days, scales had a verification stamp, designed to ensure they were properly calibrated, and this could be dated. When it was no longer necessary to have scales verified these stamps were discontinued. So basically it is not possible to date scales after around 1900. Also, sellers like Boots used different manufacturers at different times. Their moulds were different so the resulting scales were not the same either. Furthermore, as companies were taken over any historical records were dumped. 

The quality METRIC weights ON A CAST IRON STAND comprise ….

500g

2 x 200g

100g

50g

2 x 20g

10g

5g