Essex County Council Trading Standards are placing antique sets of Victorian weights and measures under the hammer.
The sets of weights were once the work tools of the county's pound police where they were used to measure the pounds, ounces, quarters and gills of an untold number of items.
They would have been used in the field to check that butchers bakers and garages were selling customers exactly what they paid for.
The use of the metric system has meant that the weights have been retired from use and with the popularity of hi tech weighing scales, the decision has been made to sell them on.
The weights and measures have already drawn interest from collectors far and wide, and there is much anticipation about the auction that will take place at Horner's North Gallery near Norwich next month.
The lots include full families of weights that are inscribed with the Borough of Colchester and County of Essex markings.
These are so rare they are on the verge of being defined as works of art. It is for this reason they are expected to appeal to a vast range of specialists including The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors.
Peter Martin, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: "I hope they find a loving home where they will be cared for and where their Essex history will be cherished in the future."
Published Wednesday September 22, 2004
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