L&L WMC 1971 Scales of Justice

[debc]

Picked this up today, love it.  Did some research on L&L, they went out of business in 1974 and that is about all I know.  This piece is painted silver unfortunately, but looking at the bottom I think perhaps it is brass, or gold plated something?  How do I safely remove the paint?  Anyone have an idea of value and can anyone tell me what all the numbers mean?  Thanks so much.  I have one more post then I will stop asking for help.

[KC]

First of all....DON'T STOP!!!  All of your finds are welcome!  Chime in on other's posts as well!  Glad to have you here!

Loevsky & Loevsky White Metal Casting was run by brothers/wives for many years until they filed bankruptcy.  Items are still popular.

Some of L&L's items were real brass and some were cast metals.  I do believe yours was painted as well.  Yours is a tad bit more fancy than most of the "scales of justice" that you see.  Yours has 2 tiers of prisms as well as 3rd tier of glass.  They made all configurations of their items.  See below one that uses the same top as yours but all the rest is different:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/METAL-GOLD-TONE-CRYSTALS-BALANCE-SCALES-OF-JUSTICE-PRISMS-DECOR-VINTAGE-/121796850529?roken=cUgayN&nma=true&si=B%252Fb%252B65qDKVwoYrFu02QBRD9KSpk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and another
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Mid-Century-Balance-Scales-of-Justice-Metal-w-Crystal-Prisms-Marble-Base/131867260094?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D37582%26meid%3Da73efa928a3b4280b9ba72fa1715a28c%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D121796850529

and another


In todays market (if yours was back to original metal) and in great shape it could bring $95 - $120 - but in most areas you will most likely get $49 - $80.

Here's hoping some others have recommendations for the piece.  Just not sure what your base metal is.

[ghopper1924]

Good one, KC, a point for you.

These seem too beautiful to have anything to do with justice, ha ha.

[debc]

Thanks so much, any idea what all the numbers mean that are on the bottom.  I'm guessing 1971 is the year it was made but am stumped by the other numbers.  I think maybe they are numbers to denote the style of decoration? I have both 9190 and 9191.  Am very curious.  Thanks   Great responses so far, very much appreciated. 

[mart]

The numbers can mean anything depending on mfr !!  Style, finish, shape,, ect !!  Rarely would the year be included but its possible !!  Yours looks like white metal which was coated in gold paint !!  If you remove the rest of the paint,, you will likely have a dull gray metal !!  I would take it apart (should just be screwed together) and re-paint the metal parts in a good 24K gold spray paint or buy a bottle of brush on gold leaf at most hobby shops !!  Either way would be less than $10. and you would have a nice table centerpiece for  a formal dining area which is what they were usually used for !!