Description

A fabulous small pair of desk postal scales by the top-retailer, Leuchars of Piccadilly, London. The balance is signed together with the address, 38 & 39 Piccadilly.
The oval base has two engraved foliate motifs and the case to hold the weights is finished with a rope mount. Each of the pans has a finely engraved gothic style design. The scale comes complete with the four weights 2oz / 1oz/ 1/2oz and the 1/2oz topper.
The underside is lucky enough to retain it's original fabric.
Excellent condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 6 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 3/8" tall. Victorian in era dating to c.1880.
Leuchars was established at 47 Piccadilly, London in 1794 by James Leuchars. In 1820, the business moved to 38 Piccadilly shortly before James Leuchars died in 1823.
Lucy Leuchars, James’ widow, continued the business under the name of L. Leuchars. In 1837, the same year as Queen Victoria came to the throne, the firm was awarded the Royal Warrant for their supply of dressing cases to the royal family.
Expanding to 39 Piccadilly in 1841, the name had now changed to Lucy Leuchars & Son; the ‘Son’ referring to William Leuchars. After Lucy’s death in 1847, William gained sole responsibility for the business. Leuchars exhibited and won prize medals for his dressing cases at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862, winning a further silver medal at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.
In 1870, under the name of Leuchars & Son, William Leuchars along with his son, also called William, opened a further shop at 2 Rue de la Paix in Paris. When William Sr died in 1871, William Jr took control of the business, later winning a gold medal for their dressing cases at the International Exposition of 1878 in Paris.
In 1884, Leuchars moved their existing manufactory from 31 Gerrard Street, Soho, London to 8 Sherwood Street, Golden Square, London.
William Jr finally agreed to sell the business, along with their Sherwood Street manufactory, to Asprey in 1888. Leuchars continued to trade from their 38 & 39 Piccadilly address until 1902.
Item ID: 40434
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Internal Ref: 40434

Dimensions

Height = 8 cm (3")
Width = 16 cm (6")
Depth = 9 cm (4")