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Collecting

Ophthalmic AntiqueS

Photos and information by Ron Harmic at www.medicalantiques.com, and www.CollegeofOptometrists.org

Silver round lens spectacles, ca. 1780 Iron frame double-hinged spectacles with Round silver spectacles with extra large
tear drop loops, ca. mid-18th century round loop ends, ca. late 18th century

he 19th-century customer had a wide with round lenses. Reading glasses of similar
choice of corrective visual devices of construction with a single lens were also made
Twhich spectacles were only one. during the same period of time.
Notice in this famous print, Les Lunettes, by Pince-nez spectacles regained a spectacular
Louis-Léopold Boilly (1823), five French popularity during the late 19th century through
men and women using different types of the 1930s and can be found in endless variety and
optical aids, including a quizzing glass, patents. They were not held in place by earpieces
folding lorgnette, wig spectacles with jointed but by a pinching nose bridge. Amazingly,
sides, nose spectacles, and a spyglass. temples did not show up on spectacles until the
More and more evidence has come to beginning of the 18th century.
light that simple nose spectacles continued to “Temple” spectacles were invented in the 18th
be in use into the 19th century albeit they century with temples (arms) fitted with rings
were increasingly seen as old-fashioned. which enabled them to be pressed against the
Indeed, the 19th century is not nearly as temples above the ear, a reliable improvement
interesting a period to study as the 18th or over Pince-nez. These did not extend over the ear
20th as most innovations in vision aids (which would have been a good idea). Temple
seemed to have less influence and the designs spectacles are also called “Wig” spectacles when
available to the mass bulk of the population the ends of the temples are secured under or in a
remained largely static. wig. Temples are sometimes double hinged and
Much is often made of the so-called “rise pivoted, with round or teardrop loops as various
of ophthalmology” in the 19th century. If makers “improved” the methods of securing
anything, this growth of a new medical spectacles. The loops were also used for a cord
specialism set back the development of tied behind the head. Eighteenth-century lenses
spectacles since most ophthalmologists (the in a round form were common on temple spectacles
title is only truly valid from the mid-century Les Lunettes, by Louis-Léopold Boilly (1823) and later smaller round lenses followed by oval.
onwards) disdained spectacles in their Occasionally, octagonal and rectangular lenses
preference for treating medical eye were also used in the 18th
problems. The emergence of and early 19th centuries.
optometry, at the very tail end Bifocal lenses were invented
of the century, was far more during the late 18th century
influential in reinvigorating a and attributed to Benjamin
largely moribund industrial sector. Franklin.
“Lorgnettes” are a pair of
Types of Spectacles Rare antique Victorian “railroad” or lenses attached at one side by
Spectacles are perhaps the easiest “carriage” spectacles intended for wear a handle, hinged or pivoted,
ophthalmic antiques to find. In a when traveling by rail to prevent airborne that fold back into the
social context, spectacles were a locomotive cinders from endangering the handle for protection of the
label of keen intellect which began eyes, ca. mid-19th century selling for lenses. Some double lens
$275 at oldasadam.com
at the time of 15th-century lorgnettes are hinged
blue-blooded nobility. Many between the lenses and fold
18th-century gentlemen purchased and wore spectacles who could not out to a single plane when in
read, and vainly created a false badge of rank. This connection of brain use. These can date back to
power with spectacles continues to this day. as early as the middle of the
The earliest antique spectacles in regular use, made of wood or 18th century; however, most
leather with a riveted center pivot, date to the 15th and 16th centuries are Victorian and some are
and are documented by woodcuts and paintings from the period. made to this day.
The “Nuremberg” type (a German city known for skilled “Scissors Spectacles” are
workmanship and “cheap” goods) were made in considerable quantity similar to lorgnettes except
during the 17th and 18th centuries of a continuous copper wire frame Anton Chekhov with Pince-nez, 1903 the independent lenses fold

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