My Antique Spectacle Collection

[Java99]

Are those coin silver? I have a pair like that, but your temples are in better shape than mine.

[Fezz]

I believe that they are. I am not sure how to be sure.

They have a stamped hallmark of "H. Adams".

I think that a few of my other pieces share the same hallmark. I date these early to mid 1800.

[Java99]

I believe that they are. I am not sure how to be sure.

They have a stamped hallmark of "H. Adams".

I think that a few of my other pieces share the same hallmark. I date these early to mid 1800.

Mine have the same hallmark, how cool! Coin silver looks different than regular silver, to me it looks shinier, and has a different look to the tarnish. I'm sure there's a better way to tell, but I have no idea what that would be.

[Fezz]

I have had many coin silver frames that have been rather dull and tarnished with a heavy patina. Some have been rather shiny. I know that some people will clean and un-tarnish these old frames to show the bright coin silver.

One of my antique dealer contacts claim that there is a test to determine if they are truly coin silver and what content they are. I often think, why bother? Is it worth spending the money to tell? What other metal were they manufacturing frames out of at the time? Would they stamp a makers mark, or hallmark, if they were not coin silver?

I was told that if they are stamped, that they are coin silver. That doesn't hold true because I have frames made of brass that are hallmarked!


Thanks for looking and contributing!

[chip anderson]

Mick:
It might be some very early sort of set up to examine the retina. As you know Volk has some high plus lenses with rims that are basicly a high plus lens (rather expensive too) for this. Or possibly for examining the anterior chamber angle. I don't know much about this but have seen them used.

Chip

[Fezz]

Attachment 8618Attachment 8619Attachment 8620Anyone know what this is? The rimmed lenses are +&- 2d, the others, marked + reads +11.25, the one marked - reads +15.25, and the one marked 0 reads +13.00d. The flat metal pieces are painted to look like an iris one with a small pupil, the other with a very dialated pupil. All pieces fit into an unmarked wood box.

I have been researching this and i have not found anything yet. I was hoping that one of our resident codgers would have an idea! Some of our resident, long time practicing optometrists should have an idea!


I would love to see more of your collection Mick!


Does anybody else have any to share?

Come on, I know that a bunch of you have some old specs gathering dust in your undies drawer! Drag them out, dust them off and share a bit of history with the rest of us!

[Java99]

Does anyone recognize a maker's mark that's an "s o" on the far left of the bridge on a frame like this? http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/pages/3134-23.html

[Fezz]

Does anyone recognize a maker's mark that's an "s o" on the far left of the bridge on a frame like this? http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/pages/3134-23.html

I can't see it from my iPhone, but here is a reference for you:

http://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilvermarks1.html

http://www.925-1000.com/dlBirmingham.html

http://www.925-1000.dk/Fgerman_marks_b1884.html

[Java99]

Thanks!

[Fezz]

Sorry if the above is not helpful.

It's the best I can do under the circumstances!

[Now I See]

A patient came in about a month or so ago and said he bought these at an Army Surplus store for about $10...thought you all might like to see them...

[Fezz]

Very cool!

Thanks for sharing!!!

[PRECISIONLAB]

Really enjoyed all of the pics. Just curious..have you analyzed the optical clarity...ie curves used to achieve power..OC placement etc. I'm assuming flat curves with plus cylinder grinding for compound lenses.

[Fezz]

Really enjoyed all of the pics. Just curious..have you analyzed the optical clarity...ie curves used to achieve power..OC placement etc. I'm assuming flat curves with plus cylinder grinding for compound lenses.

Thank you!

I have not analyzed them. I can say that it is amazing to see the flaws, distortions, poor fit of the lenses that people wore and then see some of the minuscule imperfections that we whine about these days!!!

[Fezz]

Has anybody started collecting?

Added anything to your collection?

Want to buy my collection?

[Mac52]

Good evening,
I have a collection of approximately 75 antique eyeglasses. I have a couple of pairs that I believe are from the 1700's, and a variety from the 1800 and 1900's. I am interested in what they are currently worth for insurance and/or sale purposes. Does anyone have a good resource for this?
Mac52

[Uilleann]

I've been watching for the odd antique nautical/navigation type device as well over the years. Sextants, astrolabes, astronomical rings, old compasses, brass/leather telescopes, orrerys, sundials, quadrants (Beringer or otherwise), armillarys and the like. Fezz...I know in your mad scientist lair you must have a bunch of this stuff just laying around collecting dust! Don't forget to check under the flux capacitor in the back seat of the DeLorean. ;)

[opticalcathy]

Hi Fezz, we had a guy who is interested in selling these 1934 CEBE hooded frames

[opticalcathy]

Sorry, they didn't upload

[IhaveSpecialEyes]

very nice! I would like to at some point do a collection in shadow boxes. I seem to always go for the 50's style though so I need to branch out. I did find some little horn rimmed for a youngster, there was optho. and sunglasses, I had to buy both I couldn't seperate them.

[Moss]

Lets go with my four (or 3 LOL!) lens styles!









Enjoy those beauties while I make another cup of tea and decide what to display next!

Finally had a moment to relax and read this whole thread.

These were my first favorite sunglasses.

I just did a post on them last week:

http://theeyewearblog.com/johnny-dep...ncent-price-2/

I have a couple pair of the ones with the aqua lens.

Where'd you source the top pair?

[Moss]

Ok.........I've had a change of heart!

Let's keep this party going ...shall we!

Here are two new pieces that I acquired this week.





I really like this next one. It has broken eyewires, but I still dig it! I got this from a family estate sale. Apparently, it was kept in the family for years and now the remaining members are auctioning off the entire family possessions! Their loss....my gain!

For your viewing pleasure...The spectacles of Dr. C. Briggs, circa 1835!





Hey, wait a minute.....am I violating any HIPAA rules by showing this? LOL!!!

It looks like the guy's skin oil corroded the iron around the bridge area. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.

[icmor]

Very nice collection! I have displayed my collection in a shadow box here in the optical dept for years and get lots of compliments. It is nowhere near the extensive collection you have shown. Very nice, indeed!

[Java99]

Those are awesome! I have a collection on display in the optical as well, but like icmor says, it's not as cool as yours!

[Fezz]

Finally had a moment to relax and read this whole thread.

These were my first favorite sunglasses.

I just did a post on them last week:

http://theeyewearblog.com/johnny-dep...ncent-price-2/

I have a couple pair of the ones with the aqua lens.

Where'd you source the top pair?

The top pair were given to me by a friend.

I acquired the collection over about 30 years of my almost 43 years on this planet. Some came from friends, some from eBay, and most from antique stores and auctions.

I grew bored with the collection and had a bit of an epiphany. I sold the whole collection and have moved on with my obsessions!