Thomas Weeks, a rare ball and rod ornamental postal scale, c.1840, the gilded letter rack stamped 'Weeks's R', Mech', Museum, Tichborne St', the gilded beam cast as a mythical bird upon a patinated brass column opposing an ornamental hollow gilt ball and rod, upon a gilt metal applied marble base Thomas Weeks employed James Wyatt to design his Tichborne St Emporium, which he named The Royal Mechanical Museum' The museum opened in 1797, the Emporium attractions included a mechanical spider, automated models of birds and chamber horses, gouty chairs, metamorphic library chairs etc. He bought many items in J. J. Merlin's auction. Although Weeks died in 1834, the museum continued to retail items bearing his name posthumously.