Combined “Reliance” Postal Scale & Double Inkstand

Overview

• Object Name: Combined “Reliance” Postal Scale and Double Inkstand Desk Set
• Manufacturer: Triner Scale & Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
• Patent Date: February 23, 1904 (Patent No. 752,874)
• Period/Era: Early 20th Century (Circa 1904–1910s)
• Materials: Enameled sheet metal/tin base and housing with japanned finish, hand-painted floral toleware ornamentation, glass inkwells with metal caps, brass drawer pulls.

Dimensions

• Base Footprint: 7″ wide × 6¾” deep
• Total Height: 7¼” tall

Detailed Description & Features

• Body & Finish: Crafted as an all-in-one executive desk accessory, the piece features a rich black enameled “japanned” finish embellished with delicate, traditional toleware-style floral scrollwork and stenciled motifs across the top weighing platform, drawer fronts, and side housings.
• The Postal Scale: At the heart of the unit is the “Reliance” spring-action computing scale engineered by the Triner Scale & Manufacturing Co. The upright scale assembly features a semi-circular indicator chart displaying weights ranging from ¼ ounce up to 8 ounces. The gauge face includes postal category demarcations divided into five sections: Letters, Merchandise, Books & Cir (Circulars), and Newspapers, alongside scale notes reading “Warranted Accurate” and specific postal rates (“Foreign Letter 5 cents ½ oz” / “Books Etc 1 cent 2 ozs”). Stamped manufacturer and patent details appear clearly beneath the tray and housing (“TRINER SCALE & MFG. CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A. PAT. FEB. 23, 1904 AND ABROAD”).
• Inkwells & Pen Rack: The front section of the sheet-metal base accommodates two square molded-glass inkwells featuring decorative cut patterns and removable (“lift-off”) metal lids. Set directly behind the inkwells is an integrated vertical pen rack designed to hold three writing instruments securely.
• Storage Drawers: Built into the housing beneath the scale platform are two side-by-side pull-out mini drawers fitted with small round brass pulls. These were historically used to store postage stamps, steel pen nibs, erasers, and sealing wax.