Shown is our 1835-80 Oblong Eyeglass frame with custom tinted teal lenses & our 1800s Metal Flip Top Case.

We can do custom engraving on the top of the case- Up to 3 lines

1835-80 Oblong Eyeglass Frame Tarnished Brass

Incuded with purchase is 1800s Slip in Case and Micro Fiber Wipe with our Historic EyeWear Company logo.

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE STYLE 

Oblong or Rectangular shaped spectacles were available from approximately 1835 and remained popular through the 1890s. These frames were made by hand on an individual basis by spectacle makers who could spend the better part of a day constructing each pair. The slide temple was designed as a one-size-fits-all temple, and when retracted, allowed for a smaller, easier to carry and store spectacle case. No primary source information has been discovered, but many original spectacles have been found with cord or ribbon tied through the teardrop finals to suggest some use for keeping the spectacles in place.

~Our period correct 1800s Black Faux Leather Slip- in case is included with your frame purchase.  It is also available for purchase separately for those who need a protective case for their antique eyewear. Available on a  short version for Slide temple spectacle and in long version for one piece straight temple spectacles- like our  1855-95 Blue Steel spectacle frame.

~Keep your specs clean with our Historic EyeWear Company micro fiber cleaning cloth which is included with each purchase of spectacle frames.  Using paper, tissues or other means might scratch your lenses. Our cloths are soft and do not scratch lenses.      

Technical details

1835-80 Oblong/Rectangular eyeglass frame, loop slide temple, teardrop finial, no nose-pads