Pelouze Scale

Q:         I paid $50 for a hanging scale I bought at a yard sale. The scale says, “Pelouze Mfg. Co., Makers, Chicago, USA, patent pending.” It can weigh items up to 20 pounds. Can you tell me its possible value?

A:         William N. Pelouze founded Pelouze Scale and Manufacturing Co. in Chicago in 1894. The company made several different kinds of scales. It was eventually bought by Rubbermaid, which was bought by Newell Co. in 1999. Pelouze scales are now being made by Newell Rubbermaid. The price of a collectible is what someone will pay for it. You paid $50 for the scale, so it was worth that much to you. Other similar scales have sold for $35 to $60.