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  • #46
    Spectacle Accoutrements

    Regarding Master Optician, Gregg Crockett's Spectacle Accoutrements for period prescription specs: http://ivydiv_mp.tripod.com/spectacleaccoutrements/.
    What's your experience regarding his workmanship, price, delivery time, & guarantee?

    Thanks for your time & consideration in answering.

    Regards,
    [B][I]Edwin Carl Erwin[/I][/B]

    descendent of:
    [B]Tobias Levin Hays[/B]
    16th Texas Infantry, Co. I, Walker's Texas Division
    22nd Brigade, "Mesquite Company", Texas Rangers
    &
    [B]J. W. Tally[/B]
    4th Texas Infantry, Hood's Texas Brigade[B][/B]

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    • #47
      Re: Eyewear vendors

      I recently purchased a nice pair of antique spectacles from Eyeglasseswarehouse.com. The folks there really know their stuff and were very helpful. Their business & hobby is to collect, buy, and sell antique eyeglasses & accessories. My pair of steel frames, in very good condition, went for $65.

      If you go with an antique pair, instead of repro, then you need to be aware of the big differences between modern & old glasses. The two big differences are the lenses & frames.

      Old style lenses were thin, flat and made of glass. Today, lenses are curved & made from high tech plastics. During the mid-1800's, frames were much lighter, thinner, and made from straight lenses. It takes a little extra skill & care to make modern lenses that fit old frames. Also, many frames of the period do not have screws to remove the lenses. The frames are welded or soldered & the lenses are non-removable without cutting the frames. Obviously it is much better to get frames with screws.

      As far as having the lenses made, I suggest finding a local optician who has been in business for a number of years and who has a lab on site. Many large chains will not go near antique eyeglasses.

      My lenses cost $85.00 - I'm very near-sighted and got the best, thinnest lenses I could buy.

      I love my "new" spectacles. They are actually more comfortable than my modern pair.

      Pvt. Charles Lustenberger
      20th Mass, Co. D
      The Harvard Regiment
      [FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="2"]Pvt. Charles A. Lustenberger[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT="Book Antiqua"]
      [B]The 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
      [/B]Company D
      "The Harvard Regiment"
      [I]Fide et Constantia[/I][/FONT]

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      • #48
        Period Glasses

        Howdy, thanks to my father i have eyes like a mole and without the specs i cant see anything. I was curious where i could get some period glasses. Either repos or originals. Any information will help. THANKS

        BEN JENKINS
        Pvt. Benjamin N. Jenkins
        Muddy Water Mess

        <b>Do NOT buy from this User</b>

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        • #49
          Re: Period Eyeglasses

          I picked up a pair of originals for $45 at an antique store in my old hometown. I do not need specs - yet. Once my eyesight deteriorates to the point I need glasses then I am going to get the origianl lenses replaced with my prescription, or however it works.

          For now, though, they are good for close-up reading glasses - like reading fine print on patent medicine labels. Anything out past two feet becomes a blur, like someone smeared butter on the lenses.

          CRRC 2 has a good article on what to look for in correct glasses. Pay attention in antique stores; on occasion you could strike lucky as I did.

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          • #50
            Re: Period Eyeglasses

            Hello-

            Just throwing this one out there, but wrap-around the ear eye wear -wasn't- period? I have a pair of straight, extendable glasses with teardrop ends (about 1840-1850s) that I use, but I also have an antique pair of wrap-around the ear eye wear too. Don't use these anyway...
            From my brief readings on this subject, eye wear was just as expensive (if not more expensive) for people back then to afford as it is today. Watches were in this category too. So I reckon it wasn't a matter of if you had to wear glasses all day or not, just if you could afford to do so.

            Cool topic- Johnny
            Johnny Lloyd
            John "Johnny" Lloyd
            Moderator
            Think before you post... Rules on this forum here
            SCAR
            Known to associate with the following fine groups: WIG/AG/CR

            "Without history, there can be no research standards.
            Without research standards, there can be no authenticity.
            Without the attempt at authenticity, all is just a fantasy.
            Fantasy is not history nor heritage, because it never really existed." -Me


            Proud descendant of...

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            • #51
              Re: Period Eyeglasses

              The wrap-around earpieces, originally called riding temples, were introduced in 1885.
              [FONT=Times New Roman]Yours most respectfully, your obedient servant,[/FONT]
              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
              [FONT=Times New Roman]R. L. ("Rob") Griffiths.[/FONT]
              [FONT=Times New Roman][I]Member, Civil War Preservation Trust.[/I][/FONT]
              [FONT=Times New Roman][I]Authentic Campaigner member since November 10th, 2004.[/I][/FONT]

              [FONT=Times New Roman][I]"I am not aware of ever having used a profane expletive in my life, but I would have the charity to excuse those who may have done so, if they were in charge of a train of Mexican pack mules at the time."[/I] - U. S. Grant[I].[/I][/FONT]

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