Two pairs of unusual silver large round-lensed 19th-Century Continental spectacles,

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Details

Two pairs of unusual silver large round-lensed 19th-Century Continental spectacles,
the first, French with the mark of Louis-Michel Crouvezier, with round bifocal lenses each half lens separated by insert (one tortoiseshell, one wood), with turn-pin sides terminating in loop-ends and a K-bridge; the second, with Dutch tax mark, with round bifocal lenses, short sides ending in large loops with indistinct stamps near hinges, and a slit-bridge

See Illustrations (2)

Literature

Bull, E.C. History of Bifocals, The Optical Journal

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

In an article in the Optical Journal Edward Bull writes regarding the first spectacles offered here: "The usual form of spectacles of that date had large round eyes .... In the accompanying illustration the first spectacle is of a very curious construction. The two lenses are separated by a piece of tortoiseshell. This doubtless was intended to overcome the annoyance of seeing an object doubled, which was the great imperfection in the old split lenses. These old spectacles were pieced up in a Paris shop, together with their bright red leather case. It was the case that first attracted my attention, for it bore the name of a house very famous in the early years of spectacle making in Paris..."

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