Mordan Postal Scales

Postal scales were introduced in the mid-19th Century after the founder of the postage stamp Rowland Hill's campainging led to the Uniform Postal Act of 1840. This implemented payment for UK postage by weight rather than number of pages. The resulting demand for weighing machines from the Victorian gentry and industrialists opened the door for many craftsmen to manufacture postal scales and balances. After this, most well-heeled homes had their own set on the master's desk. The prime maker of the day was Sampson Mordan & Co, London.

Typically Mordan scales are made from very thick gauge brass, using a Roberval system, with the maker’s mark “S. MORDAN & CO.” on the top left bar and “London” is on the top right. Often they have the British postal rates marked on the right hand plate, and the frame is commonly secured to a solid oak base supported on four bun feet, but the bases were also made with much more expensive materials such as inlaid with ceramic plaques. Classic design made by many firms from 1840 to around 1940. Many variations in decorative style including, the exotic wood coromandel, filigree brass bases, china bases, Wedgwood plaques set into the plates, enameled patterns, inlaid stone flowers, etc, etc. However the plain style shown is much the most common.

Weights were commonly flat, round, stacking. Weights over 2 oz were often lead cased in brass. "Bottle" weights or square knobbed weights were also used. The weights manufactured by Mordan are characterised by having the "OZ" stamp above the numeral.

Inland parcel post was first introduced in Britain in August 1883 having a maximum weight limit of 7lbs and this was extended to 11lbs in May 1886.

Sampson Mordan Senior

Sampson Mordan Senior, who was born in 1790, is reputed to have been the favourite apprentice and assistant of the mechanic Joseph Bramah (1748-1814), inventor of patent locks. While I have not been able to find direct evidence of the apprenticeship there is a lot of circumstantial evidence to suggest that he did at least work with Bramah. Although he established his own business in 1815, it is not clear what he was producing between 1815 and 1823. Mordan did not patent his ever-pointed or propelling pencil until the 20th December 1822.

"To John Isaac Hawkins, of Pentonville, civil engineer, and Sampson Mordan, of Union-street, City Road, portable pen maker, for improvements on pencil holders or port-crayons, and on pens for the purpose of facilitating writing and drawing by rendering the frequent cutting or mending of the points or nibs unnecessary."
Patent Description 1823

Mordan only entered his first silver mark alone on 26th June the following year, followed by another with his partner, Gabriel Riddle, on 30th April 1824. This partnership between Sampson Mordan and Gabriel Riddle, under the firm of S. Mordan and Co., was formed by virtue of an indenture made in October 1823, "to carry out business as Mechanists and Manufacturers of Patent and other articles, at No. 22, Castle Street, Finsbury, London". Research suggests that Riddle provided the capital necessary for Mordan to expand his hitherto small scale craft production.