C.O.C.A. Times

Caille's Washington Scale - c.1905
by Jim and Merlyn Collings
One of the most beautiful and
impressive coin-operated scales is
the Washington Scale - the tin dial
is lithographed in
twelve colors and
has a distinctive
portrait of George
Washington on it
(see photo 1). Photo #1
This 77" tall scale is highly prized
by the coin-op collector (see photo
Logo on it. The later version had a
white porcelain base with a tiled
design (see photo 5). During the
post WWI period the porcelain base
was still used and a mirror was put
on the column instead of the ornate
castings. The head was also altered
during this period by affixing a mir-
rored surface on the back of the
glass, having only _____ _
the numbers on the
2).
dial
showing.
The Washington Scale was
Some
of
the
Photo #4
Washington dials
made in birch mahogany of quali-
ty oak. If a sample piece of wood- were actually replaced or painted
work was sent to Caille Bros., for over. These converted scales were.._ _ ____ •
Photo #5
a slight extra charge, they would probably done for, or by, the
customize the scale cabinet to Peerless Scale Co. The Roaring Twenties vendors
match the interior of the establish- utilized scale mirrors throughout that period. A flap-
ment. The scale has extremely per who admired herself while looking in the scale
ornate trimmings which are most mirrors was probably more interest-
often nickel-plated. The Caille ed in seeing herself than seeing the
Bros. would also copper-plate their father of her country wearing a
Photo #2
scales and other
white wig! It's amazing that proba-
machines upon request. Their
bly thirty or so original Washington
Model A and Model B (perfect
scales have survived.
vendor) peanut machines, for
There are two other versions of
example, were either nickel-plat-
the Caille & Washington scale
ed or copper-plated. These two
made. The first of these was a musi-
cal scale (see photo 6). Instead of a
peanut machines were produced
marquee there was a swiss made·
around the same time as the
musical device encased in a glass .
George Washington Scale. These
ornate trimmings are evident on
chamber. When the patron put a
the head, column and coin-entry
penny into the coin slot one of eight
tunes would play. To the best of our
(see photo 3). The 14" long cash
Photo #3
knowledge none of these have been
box door is also heavily
found.
The final version was called
embossed and has the Caille Bros. Logo and a yale
the "Moneyback" scale (see photo'
lock (see photo 4).
On the early Washington Scale the black enam- 7) . This scale was developed in
eled base was made of heavy iron. The footplate order to compete with the Watling
Photo #6
itself was heavily embossed with the Caille Bros. Guessing Scale. The glass panel, in
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