Glasses: Antique & Collectible Eyeglasses & Spectacles
Antique eyeglasses and spectacles are a specialized but growing collecting category spanning over 700 years of optical history. From medieval reading stones to Victorian pince-nez, from Ben Franklin's bifocals to early 20th-century tortoiseshell frames, these objects combine scientific innovation, craftsmanship, and social history. Collectors are drawn to both the aesthetic appeal and the fascinating evolution of optical technology.
History of Eyeglasses
- 13th Century: First reading stones and rivet spectacles produced in northern Italy, likely Venice or Florence
- 15th-16th Century: Spectacles spread across Europe; temples (arms) not yet invented; nose-perching frames used
- 17th Century: Spanish-style rigid bridge frames; Chinese use of quartz lenses
- 18th Century: Side temples developed in London (1727); Benjamin Franklin invents bifocals (c. 1784)
- 19th Century: Mass production begins; pince-nez, lorgnettes, and monocles fashionable; spring-bridge designs
- Early 20th Century: Celluloid and later acetate frames; standardized optical prescriptions
Types & Styles
| Type | Period | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rivet spectacles | 1300-1600 | Two lenses riveted together at bridge, no temples |
| Scissors glasses | 1700s-1800s | Folding lorgnette on scissor-action handle |
| Wig spectacles | 1700s | Short temples designed to hook over powdered wigs |
| Martin's Margins | 1760s-1820s | Green-tinted side shields for light protection |
| Pince-nez | 1840s-1920s | Nose-clipping frames without temples |
| Lorgnette | 1800s-1920s | Handled spectacles, often ornate, used as fashion accessory |
| Monocle | 1800s-1940s | Single lens, often with gallery (grooved rim) |
| Oxford spectacles | 1880s-1910s | Straight bridge with sliding nose pads |
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victorian steel spectacles | $15 | $50 | $150 |
| Gold-filled pince-nez | $30 | $100 | $300 |
| Solid gold spectacles (14K) | $150 | $400 | $1,200 |
| Silver lorgnette, ornate | $75 | $250 | $800 |
| Chinese spectacles with case | $100 | $400 | $2,000 |
| 18th-century wig spectacles | $300 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Early rivet spectacles (pre-1600) | $2,000 | $8,000 | $30,000+ |
| Novelty/advertising optical items | $20 | $75 | $300 |
Condition Factors
- Lens condition: Original lenses significantly increase value; replacement lenses reduce it
- Frame integrity: Bent, cracked, or repaired frames are less desirable; gold and silver frames hold value even if damaged
- Hinge function: Working hinges on temples matter for display and collector appeal
- Case presence: Original cases, especially leather-covered or fitted cases, add 20-40% to value
- Patina: Natural age patina is preferred; polished-out corrosion reduces authenticity appeal
Collecting Tips
- Solid gold frames (marked 10K, 14K) have intrinsic metal value as a price floor
- Original cases with optician's names and addresses add both provenance and historical interest
- Early examples (pre-1800) are scarce and command strong premiums
- Specialized reference: "Spectacles and Other Vision Aids" by J. William Rosenthal is the standard text
- Optical trade cards, signs, and advertising make excellent complementary collectibles
- Civil War era spectacles with provenance to identified soldiers are highly sought after