Antique Scale, Torsion Balance Co. New York 1891

This is a second scale purchased by hubs and I at an antique auction. The wording on it reads:

The Torsion Balance Co.

New York

Pat. May '91

Style 257

#34681

This appears to be a pharmacy or chemical company scale.

Hubby took the scale apart, gave it a thorough cleaning and replaced a few broken parts.

What a difference! It gleams and is in excellent condition. A very nice addition to our collection. 

Civil War Era Parlor Chairs

Two upholstered carved wooden parlor chairs from the Civil War era.

I'm guessing they are Walnut. The one on the left with arms is for a man.

The chair below has a wide seat and partial sides which are also quite wide. It is meant to hold hoop skirts of a woman.

If you know more about these chairs please post a comment here.

BILATERAL DUTCH POSTAL SCALE

Another scale we got at auction recently. I have not been able to find out much about it!

BILATERAL POSTAL SCALE

- scale body is made of brass and iron, black varnish

- two scales: up to 100 g and 500 g

- marked on front swing arm: BILATERAL

- marked on rear "Niet voor handelsooeleinden" I know that "niet voor" is Dutch for "Not for" and "handel" is Dutch for "trade" I haven't been able to determine the rest.
- measurements are 21 cm (8.3“) high, pan 11.5 x 10 cm (4.5“ by 3.9“)

- weight is 500 g

C. Wilson & Son Scale, Toronto Ontario

Yesterday hubs and I attended another antique auction - an indoor one this time (last week's was outside in frigid 50' weather)

We bid on and won quite a few scales. One was this C WILSON & SON scale from Toronto Ontario.

Found a reference in Sessional Papers Canada Parliament #15; Report of the Minister of Agriculture 1902

Excerpt on p. 186: C. Wilson & Son, 67 Esplanade St. East Toronto Ontario - Silver Medal Diploma

Excerpt on p. 200, reporting on the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900.

"C. Wilson & Son, of Toronto, were equally successful in obtaining a silver medal for their full collection of fine scales, from the smallest confectionery to the 1,000 lbs. platform scale. These scales, which indicate price and weights, were regarded with much interest by visitors who had no previous knowledge of the system".

Found in History of Toronto and Co. of York, Ontario:

"C. Wilson & Co. Toronto Scale Works, 45 Epslanade [City of Toronto] This is one of the oldest businesses of the kind in the Dominion, having been established in 1851. Employment is given to 25 men and 8 travellers. Mr. C. Wilson was born in Co. Armagh Ireland in 1818 and settled in Ottawa in 1840, obtaining a position in the department of the Surveyor-General. He came to Toronto in 1849"

Christie Antique Show

Well hubs and I finally made it to a Christie Antique Show in Dundas Ontario. We've been trying to go for years and this year we made it happen.

It was a long drive for us but well worth it. There were almost 300 dealers and booths there! Lots of big furniture items and a delivery service if needed. Lots of small items too, in fact it was a realy hodge-podge of treasures.

We arrived about 8:30 am (it opened at 8 am) and parking was very stream-lined and efficient. We were in and parked along with a huge line of cars, in less than 5 minutes. Kudos to the organizers!

Due to my physical limitations we only covered about 1/4 of the entire show, and that took us until 12:30 (4 hours). I simply couldn't do any more walking even with my cane. I told hubs to do a quick one hour scout of the rest of the area while I sat by the river at a picnic table but he didn't.

We were not disappointed although it was tough going at times because of the huge numbers of people all trying to get around the area and going in and out of the various areas. Some places were a tight squeeze and with that many potential customers, all wanting that great treasure at a great bargain price, it sometimes got a little "push and shove" which I didn't like.

But I found a nice ambrotype in an unusual shaped Union case to add to my collection so I was happy. I did see other items I liked but didn't buy. Maybe next year!

Even though it became more crowded as the morning wore on I think that next year I would go later in the day. I'm not sorry I went but it was an exhausting (and painful) day for me, so next year I have to figure out a better plan!

Oh and if you, like me, are trying to get your GPS to accept the address, put in Flamborough as the town, not Dundas... and it's held at the Christie Conservation Area so shouldn't be too hard to find.

I can't wait for next year's show!

Another Gurneys Antique Scale!

Another Gurneys Antique Scale!

We bought this lovely antique scale recently at a large antique mall near Barrie Ontario. The decals and paint are original and in really good shape so we could not resist! Even the balance plate has original detailing and decals.

We have a fairly large collection of antique scales and it's hard to resist something different or in great condition. This is a Gurneys Scale which adds another one to our collection. Gurneys was based in Hamilton Ontario. In 1856 Elijah W. Ware had established a scale factory in Hamilton and the Gurneys were soon associated with him, forming Gurney, Ware and Company.