Classic Mode

C.O.C.A. Times

Issue: 2005-November - Vol 6 Num 3

Three Personal Scales - ca. 1930
Ideal Scale - Rock-Ola LoBoy and Mills Modern Scale
by Jim and Merlyn Collings
During the Great Depression the need for a smaller
compact and less expensive scale was realized by the
scale producers. These small scales were called "Waist-
High" scales, "LoBoys", and "Personal" scales. They
were characterized by colorful porcelain surfaces, art-
deco lines, and features that resembled contemporary
sky-scrapers. Some scales
also resembled an Egyptian
mummy case. These scales are
real space savers and take up
only 2 sq. feet, making them
ideal for the bathroom, kitch-
en, laundry room, etc. Most of
these scales are only 45 inches
or less in height.
nickel-plated frame is a height and
weight chart for men and women
(photo 3). The Ideal scale was very
popular on the west coast.
The second scale described is the
Rock-Ola LoBoy. This scale came in
green, white and blue porcelain with
black trim on
the head and base (photo 4). It
measures 44 inches in height, al-
though a smaller model was 33-
1/2 inches. This smaller version
probably appealed to children. It
was only made in green.
The Rock-Ola LoBoy was a
very sturdy and reliable as de-
scribed in Automatic Age from
1931-1933 (the National maga-
zine of the coin machine indus-
try). It was widely advertised as
a profit making machine with
art-deco streamlining. The penny
coin entry is
located on the top edge of the scale
head, and below is a mirror that the
patron could use. On each side of
the mirror is a height and weight
chart for men and women (photo
5). The scale emblem on the tapered
column reads: Rock-Ola LoBoy
Personal Weight. R.M.C. The foot-
plate reads: Trademark Scale Div. of
Rock-Ola Mfg. Co., Chicago.
The Rock-Ola LoBoy became
very successful even though it was
difficult to work on and maintain
due to lack of space inside the upper
portion of the scale. The term LoBoy was given to many
short scales in the 1930s and still persists today.
The first of these scales be-
ing described is the Ideal Scale
(photo 1). This scale was dis-
tributed in Chicago, ILL. by
Floyd D. Cerf in charge of
midwest and southern dis-
tricts. The eastern districts
were handled in New York,
N.Y. The scale was actually made in Los Angeles, CA.
by the Ideal Weighing Machine Co. An octagonal head
connected to a rather plain column and foot plate was
created by the Ideal Scale Co. It is rumored, however,
that they used partial columns from various other com-
panies and modified them.
The Ideal Scale in our collection is depression green
and black porcelain. The black octagonal side panel has
a green porcelain hook, where
jackets, purses and so on, can be
hung to attain proper weight (pho-
to 2). The locked side panel can
be removed for easy maintenance.
The viewing window is made with
flat glass or a bubble that magni-
fies the weight for easier viewing.
The penny coin entry is located
to right side of the viewing win-
The third and final personal scale described is the
dow and states: Coin Here. Below
Mills Modern Scale. It is truly a wonderful scale that
the viewing window encased in a
has sculptured designs and (6) six color combinations.
l
These color combinations made in porce-
lain came in: ivory/green, ivory/black, sky
blue/buff, red/buff, royal blue/orange, ma-
hogany/orchid. In our own collection we
have a beautiful mahogany/orchid Mills
Modern scale (photo 6). This combination
may have been used in a ladies powder
room, beauty salon, department store, etc.
The rarest color combination for this scale
is probably royal blue/orange. It would be
a challenge to collect all six color combi-
nations!
The Mills Modern scale has some
unique features which includes a stylish
coin entry on the left side of the head, a
viewing window that magnifies the weight numerals, a
porcelain hook attached to the right side of the marquee,
and a pocket size mirror above the
viewing window (photo 7).
The scale measures 44 inches in
height plus a nine inch high mar-
quee. The orchid colored marquee
frame is porcelain. It has a very nice
sculptured design. The health chart
on the marquee is made of thin brass
which is nickel-plated.
The height and weight information is acid etched on
the chart. The chart suggest: What You Should Weigh
and Check Your Weight Daily. Many patrons would
weigh themselves daily and would even use other scales
to check the accuracy. Often times, the marquee was
sneT
SIXTH EDITION!
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America's
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Over 32,000 copies sold,
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Dealer Discounts
I'
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missing on these scales because they broke off while
movrng.
The back portion of the scale has an embossed design
of vine and leaves. Also embossed on back is: Product
of Mills Novelty Co., Chicago, U.S.A. and: See List of
Patents Inside. The cash box near the bottom holds 300
pennies. During the depression this was a fairly lucrative
business.
Inside the Mills Modern is a "Dash Pot" or oil cylin-
der that acts as a type of shock absorber when filled with
motor oil. It slows down the mechanism and prevents
less trauma. The footplate has a waffle design. The base
is mahogany/orchid with a sculp-
tured design. The design resem-
bles a large letter M over a smaller
letter M; which might mean Mills
Modern. This is one of the most
impressive scale bases we've ever
seen. A truly remarkable scale!
(photo 8).
There are many types of per-
sonal scales that can still be found
for reasonable prices. They bring
back memories of hard times, re-
covery, the war years, and the end of an era.
Our special thanks go out to Bill and Jan Berning for
their valued input.
HAPPY SCALE COLLECTING!
NOVEMBER ELECTION
At the meeting in November we will be
electing new officers for the upcoming
two years. Please attend to vote on the
new officers.We will give a final Thank
You to Alex, John and Dan for their hard
work over the last two years. The club
continues to get better and we are
looking for more with the new officers.
See you in November at the show.
Paul Hindin

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