Reproduction Glasses

[cprljohnivey]

Folks,

I have been doing a little research on vendors that offer period correct reprodcutions of eye glasses to update my unit's authenticity guidelines. Our guidelines instruct new recruits on selecting appropriate original frames as the primary preferred choice. However I wanted to also add a few sources of repro frames for the perosn who does not want to use originals (or find it hard to get someone to work on originals for fear of breaking them which I have personally experienced).

I have found the following vendors. Can anyone speak of the specific products offered by these four vendors? Have you seen these products first hand? What is the quality of the craftmanship? If you have expertise on historic eye glasses (i.e. you are a collector/researcher/etc...) please inject thoughts on the authenticity of these items. Some of these repro's are pricey so I can't afford to buy them all just to check them out.

1. Vendor: Focusers Model: The McAllister model $45+ S&H http://www.focusers.com/mcallister.html

2. Vendor: The Grand Spectacle Model: 1984-1860 Rectangle $85 frames + $85 for your prescription lenses.
I understand these are a little pre-period and out of style but I am sure plenty were around.
http://www.thegrandspectacle.com/

3. Vendor: Jas Townsend Model: Rectangle Glasses $30
http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cP...394e60c012b92\
56

4. Vendor: Historic Eyewear Company Model: Various styles $179
http://www.historiceyewearcompany.com/products
All of his styles have the slide back temples. I know them to be period correct but it is my understanding not as common as the straight temples with no slides.

Thoughts? Comments? Am I missing any vendors?

Thanks for your help.

[huntdaw]

I personally have a pair of the McAllister from Focusers and like them a lot. They sit comfortably and meet my needs for any reading that I do. What was best for me is the fit is better. I have tried several period frames and they were all too small for me and I could not find anyone locally who wanted to tackle putting lenses in them.

[J.H.Berger]

Number 1 McAllister is not so well suited for our purposes as the nose bar is shaped in a post war fashion. This model is correct for around 1900. the glasses seem to be pretty large too. Besides the sources you have stated you can find period originals that work well on ebay every week for a pretty fair price!

[dixieflyer]

Jan, finding original frames is not the issue, but often finding a person that will fit modern prescription lenses in them is. I know I've experienced this with historic, and even modern reproduction frames for another, more recent period myself. (FWIW, I have seen period eyewear with a similar bridge.)

[J.H.Berger]

Mmmh, bad for you, here in Germany it is not a problem to get an optrician fiting the glasses into the frames.

[crabby]

1. Vendor: Focusers Model: The McAllister model $45+ S&H Overall the shape is not too bad, however the 'chrome steel' finish is a huge problem as well as the hinge at the temple.

2. Vendor: The Grand Spectacle Model: 1984-1860 Rectangle $85 frames + $85 for your prescription lenses I agree with his dating of this model (1840-1860) however I believe you have a typo in your description. I can not make the photo large enough to see much detail though.

3. Vendor: Jas Townsend Model: Rectangle Glasses $30 Of the 4 styles offered, none are quite right for CW. Top ones are 18th century, next ones with curved ear piece are post-CW. Bottom you could get away with if you are an older fellow and knowing your eyewear is "outdated".

4. Vendor: Historic Eyewear Company Model: Various styles $179 I take issue with ALL the finishes shown and several of the shapes. And their "Certificate of Authenticity" ....... what kind BS is that? I think their certificate of authenticity is worth maybe the paper it is printed on.

Now my above statements are more than just personal opinion. I am acquainted with two gentlemen who have done extensive research on eye wear, both pre and post Civil War. That research was then presented at a museum conference.

I have attached some photos of original glasses that have correct features for 1860-1865. The first photo is of 'new' old stock. That is they are old store stock that never sold and was packed away. You can see what the original finish was like. From existing examples I have seen, the blue/black or Japanned finish appears to be most common. The second photo is of worn glasses (left one has no lenses) found in an antique store.

I understand the problem in finding an ophthalmologist or optician who will put your RX into antique frames. I have had numerous folks tell me that it is easier to convince them if the lens is held in place with a screw at the temple. When I look at old frames that is one of the things I check out first.

[dixieflyer]

Beth, you're right, if there is not a screw, they won't touch them, the reason being that they will have to drill out or break the brad/rivet holding the frame and usually don't have the skills or tools to replace that.

Jan, I had my nephew go to one well known chain here in the U.S. with a set of frames, and got told "no way" and then I went to a different store within that chain and was told "yes, no problem". I think the problem has more to do with lack of skilled labor and some of these establishments. Just basing it on my experience and those of friends.

[Fritz]

I bought a pair of period glasses with the slider ear piece and took them to my indepent optician. Since they had the screw temple he had no problem fitting my prescription. Might have better luck with the non-chain store opticians.

[dixieflyer]

Very true Fritz, but sadly in many areas, the independent optician has dried up and blown away.

[D Harrelson]

I resolved the problem with the chrome steel McAllister glasses from Focuser by taking the lenses out and spraying the frames with flat black spray paint. Them I took 'em to my optician and had him fit prescription lens. I can see ! I actually have two pairs as I constantly mis-place my glasses. $45 ain't bad and they're durable. BTW, Nick Duvall will make glass cases. He's making one for the second pair now.

D Harrelson