Boxed Scale and Weight Set

Datec.1709-1742

Maker George Plumly

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumWood, iron/steel, brass, string, and paper

DimensionsBox: OL: 9 1/8" OD: 4 7/8" OH: 1 5/8"
Balance: OL: 7 1/4" OH: 4 1/4"
Pans: Diameter: 3"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2014-20,A-H

DescriptionBoxed set of gold & silver scales including an iron/steel balance (B) supporting two string-hung brass pans and six marked brass weights (C-H). The box (A) is closed by a brass hook and has an iron hasp and hinges. Its corners are dovetailed and the bottom is held in place by 10 wrought iron tacks. A printed version of Plumly's ad above a table for calculating the weight & value of gold is pasted onto the underside of the lid.

Weights included in the set are;

C - 20 shillings (58 dwt 8 gns)
D - 10 shillings (29 dwt 4 gns)
E - 6 shillings (17 dwt 12 gns)
F - 3 shillings (8 dwt 18 gns)
G - 2 shillings (5 dwt 20 gns)
H - 6 pence

Label TextAs with every other colony, Pennsylvania struggled to regulate its economy, the valuation of money, and the rates at which gold and silver coin passed. By 1709, the province voted to adopt "Proclamation Money," setting the value of £1 Sterling at £1.33 Pennsylvania currency. On the first of May that year, George Plumly and clockmaker Peter Stretch were authorized to "prepare" and sell "sets of weights of all sorts necessary" in proportion to the adopted rates. Furthermore, the two tradesmen were ordered to "stamp their respective marks thereon and be accountable for their exactness."

This boxed set bears the label of George Plumly, along with a chart of the various weight standards and value of gold, pasted to the underside of the lid. Both of the balance pans and all six of the brass weights are marked with Plumly's mark of a "GP" within a heart shaped cartouche, and the five largest weights are stamped PLUMLY. Each weight is additionally marked with its value in Pennsylvania shillings on one side and its weight in pennyweights (dwt) and grains (gns) on the other.

All of the weights comply with the 1:1.33 rate of 1709, which was superseded by 1742. With a small handful of Plumly's boxed sets known, this an extremely scarce and highly important American-made set of the first half of the eighteenth century.

Weights included in the set are;

- 20 shillings (58 dwt 8 gns)
- 10 shillings (29 dwt 4 gns)
- 6 shillings (17 dwt 12 gns)
- 3 shillings (8 dwt 18 gns)
- 2 shillings (5 dwt 20 gns)
- 6 pence

Mark(s)All brass weights and scale pans are stamped with Plumly's mark, being a raised "GP" within a heart-shaped cartouche. The five largest weights are stamped PLUMLY.ProvenanceFrom the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection.