C.O.C.A. Times

CAILLl 1 S WIIGHT TILLI SCALI ,. 1903
by JIM and MERLYN COLLINGS
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Photo 3
This "Fan Head" Teller scale was manufactured by
Caille Bros. of Detroit, Michigan; shortly after their be-
ginnings (photo 1). The scale has an extremely ornate
column on all four sides. The cash box blends in nicely
with the lavish decorative column. All four sides of the
column have a beautiful Caille design which they were
famous for (photo 2). This scale column was also used
by the Watling Co. (See C.O.C.A. Times (Vol. l Issue
2) July 2001). The Teller scale has a height of 72", a
width of 19" on the scale head and a depth of 24". It has
a total weight of 195 lbs.
There are probably 10 - 15 of these scales known,
making it quite scarce. As an extra feature a five pound
nickel plated height rod could be purchased. This was
a novel and free attraction where the patron could mea-
sure his height. This graduated rod was held in place by
a cushioning device which prevented it from slipping.
The Caille Co. thought this height rod would result it
greater profits (photo 3). Most of the Teller scales have
been repainted as they were used outdoors. The origi-
nal colors were enameled green with a silver accent on
the designs. The column corners and scale head were
painted a bright red. The trim marque and foot plate
were nickel plated.
It's interesting to note that some of the Teller scale
foot plates were embossed Bradford Scale Co., which
was a distributor, and others were embossed with a
flower design. The Bradford Scale Co. also had a name
plate at the top of the column,, whereas some of these
scales had a name plate which read: The Caille Bros.
10 I Detroit (photo 4 ). This information was brought to
our attention by Jeff Storck, a prominent scale collector
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and friend.
The foot plate or platform is nickel plated. The base
has a Mexican Onyx or veining design. Protruding on
each side of the base are two "Lion" feet which gives
the scale greater stability (photo 5).
The fan shaped head of the Teller scale has a nick-
eled plated marquee which reads: One Cent Drop Coin
Here with a finger pointed to the coin entry (photo 4).
The unique scale dial is crescent shaped ranging from
25 lbs. to 300 lbs. The scale pointer or indicator is con-
trolled by a clock work friction mechanism that slows
down the indicator while registering the weight. A
distinctive "whirring" sound is heard as the indicator
moves. Below the dial is a triangular window that shows
the upper mechanism when it's working. On each side
of the triangular window is a height and weight chart
for men and women.
The Caille Teller scale is a easy scale to maintain
with a double spring mechanism. The earlier Caille
Cadillac model had a single spring mechanism. It was
equally reliable and easily maintained, but it lacked the
lavish styling of the Teller scale (photo 6).
Since our last article on the Three Personal Scales in
November 2005, we were informed the children's ver-
sion of the Rock-Ola Lo Boy Scale, having only 33-1/2"
in height, was also made in blue and white porcelain as
well as in depression green. Our thanks go to Bernie
Nagel who has the white version and Jeff who has the
blue version. If any of our readers discover scale varia-
tions, please let us know.
ILVPY SCALI COLUCTIINCH
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