Meet the Dealers: Diana Calamari of Burke’s Antiques discusses British Antiques including postage scales, brassware, serveware and more.
Meet The Dealer
I’m Diana Calamari. And I own Burke’s Antiques.
I’ve been in business for 31 years this year. And I’ve moved from my own shop into the Center here about four years ago.
What is Your Specialty?
I specialize in mostly English Antiques. About 95 percent English, a little bit of American, little bit of French and that kind of thing. I specialize in scales and I also have all sorts of mostly brass things. I have glass things, barware, anything to do with decorative accessories for the home and office.
Silver Plate and Crystal Tantalus. With three brilliant cut square decanters. Working lock with key, hallmarked with date. Silver plate and crystal, Sheffield UK, 1870. [ Burke’s Antiques | Gallery #4 | 212.570.2964 | burkesantiques@verizon.net ]
Can Your Show Us One of Your Favorites?
Rare Inland Parcels Post pendulum counter balance scale, brass fittings and weights on solid oak base. Limit of 7 lbs., three brass weights of 1, 2, and 4 lbs. each. Postage rate for 1883. England made. Brass and oak, UK, 1883. [ Burke’s Antiques | Gallery #4 | 212.570.2964 | burkesantiques@verizon.net ]
This scale dates from 1883. It’s a favorite of mine because, in the 31 years in business, this is the only parcel post scale I’ve had. I’ve had plenty of letter scales – but this is a parcel post and it’s very, very rare.
I’m able to date it by the amounts that are on here for the weights. This says “inland parcel post” and then “limited to weight to 7 lb”. So that’s all that they could weigh on this particular scale. And here is the rate: “1lbs is so many pounds currency”. And that is how I’m able to date it.
Every bit of it’s handmade.
These are the three weights that way up to 7 lbs. There’s a 4lbs, a 2 lbs and a 1 lbs.
Rare Inland Parcels Post pendulum counter balance scale, brass fittings and weights on solid oak base. Limit of 7 lbs., three brass weights of 1, 2, and 4 lbs. each. Postage rate for 1883. England made. Brass and oak, UK, 1883. [ Burke’s Antiques | Gallery #4 | 212.570.2964 | burkesantiques@verizon.net ]
And this is this is handmade and it’s a narrower one so it doesn’t sink down in.
You cannot find things like this today. I know we have all sorts of digital things. But this is really a collector’s item.
What Excites You About Being a Dealer?
One of the joys that I have in this business is to pass on the history that each individual item has. Everything, in the antique world, let’s say, has the history behind it. And a reason for being.
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Visit Diana and Burke’s Antiques for more unique British Antiques.
Gallery #4
The Manhattan Art and Antiques Center: 1050 2nd Avenue (at 56th Street).
Phone: 212.570.2964
Email: burkesantiques@verizon.net
