Vintage Eyeglasses

Stuffsmith · Jan 3, 2014

How cool is that!?!

The Rag And Bone Man · Jan 3, 2014

dh66 said:
Shuron is still in business and still makes Ronsirs. My optometrist said he liked the new ones better than the old ones because they now have interchangeable nose pads on the bridge, so you can replace them if they break. Apparently on vintage pair if they broke off, they were just done.
They are online, and are super easy to deal with. They sent me a box full of frames to pick a size and style from, then I just sent back the ones I didn't need. They didn't charge me any extra for this - I only paid for the pair I got. They are a page or so back in this thread.
Again, I can't say enough about their customer service. And technically, they're not reproduction frames, because they have never stopped mking them.

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Hi There, Yes I was only reading just before I posted my message, that Shuron still makes the same frames, and that they do exactly what you mentioned, and that is to send a number of frames for the customer to try on, a great idea if you ask me.

But I have also read, and I think that was here on the forum, that they are nowhere near as good in regards to quality as the original ones, that is why I was thinking of just trying to find an original pair.

I have seen a number of online sites selling, the new ones but as with all older stuff sometimes it can be hard to track down, but I think I will have to consider it.

Thanks very much
Chris

dh66 · Jan 3, 2014

Hi Chris
I'm not in a position to provide a side by side comparison with a vintage pair, because I only have new ones. I do know they are very sturdy, hard wearing frames of good quality. I am a plumber by trade, and do a lot of new construction. I have safety lenses in both sets of my frames, and wear them to work, and belive me they have been put to the test. None are any worse for the wear. I probably would be reluctant to do so with vintage frames because they would be harder, if not impossible, to replace should something happen to them.

Good luck either way you choose to go.
Dale

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Nobert · Jan 3, 2014

The big quality issue I've noticed with vintage glasses is just in the alloys that are used in the metal parts. In the five years or so that I've had mine, I've yet to see one speck of that corrosive, green gunk that used to set up housekeeping along the rims and in those hard-to-get at areas around the nosepieces.

The Rag And Bone Man · Jan 4, 2014

Thanks Dale, I am thinking perhaps you are right, and I know quite a few places on line to buy the new ones.

And Nobert, thanks as well, I guess materials change over time and I doubt todays alloys would be the same as back then, may be I am wrong, will have to find out if I order a new pair.

Cheers
Chris

dh66 · Jan 5, 2014

Please post pics of what you come up with.

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Dinerman · Jan 5, 2014

I finally got around to getting lenses put into my great grandfather's "Silvaline" glasses, which he bought in the mid 1930s.

The Rag And Bone Man · Jan 5, 2014

dh66 said:
Please post pics of what you come up with

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I will be sure to do that, currently looking at some on the Optometrists Attic, i don't know if anyone here has ordered from them before.

dh66 · Jan 5, 2014

The Rag And Bone Man said:
I will be sure to do that, currently looking at some on the Optometrists Attic, i don't know if anyone here has ordered from them before.

I've bought two pairs from them. Super friendly and easy to deal with. I got my Shuron freeway and also a pair of the Criss black plastic hornrim style. Those are super cheap, and super light weight. They are made of unbreakable nylon, like a pocket comb. Absolutely indestructable, which I guess is why the army used them. Downside is there's no metal reinforcement in the sides, so when they get wonky over time there's really no adjusting them.

Dinerman those are really nice looking frames. That they belonged to your great grandfather makes them out of this world cool. There's almost a sort of spiritual power or something in having and using something that belonged to your own ancestors. Great photos too. Do they call that "duck pin" bowling out where you are?

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Shangas · Jan 5, 2014

Dinerman said:
I finally got around to getting lenses put into my great grandfather's "Silvaline" glasses, which he bought in the mid 1930s.

A lovely set of photographs. You wouldn't have a close-up of those spectacles, would you? I'd like to see them.

I wish I could wear a pair of gold-framed spectacles, but sadly my lens-specifications would look ridiculous in such thin frames. My grandmother used to have a pair of gold spectacles that she wore for special occasions...God knows where they are now...

SteveAS · Jan 6, 2014

Nobert said:
The big quality issue I've noticed with vintage glasses is just in the alloys that are used in the metal parts. In the five years or so that I've had mine, I've yet to see one speck of that corrosive, green gunk that used to set up housekeeping along the rims and in those hard-to-get at areas around the nosepieces.

I haven't owned any true vintage frames, but that green gunk problem is the biggest problem I have my modern-production Shuron Ronwinnes.

Dinerman · Jan 6, 2014

Shangas said:
A lovely set of photographs. You wouldn't have a close-up of those spectacles, would you? I'd like to see them.

I wish I could wear a pair of gold-framed spectacles, but sadly my lens-specifications would look ridiculous in such thin frames. My grandmother used to have a pair of gold spectacles that she wore for special occasions...God knows where they are now...

Picard1138 · Jan 6, 2014

Laying off the contact lenses for a few days this week, so I took out my most comfortable prescription glasses I own. Circa 1900 pince nez:

-Max

WideBrimm · Jan 8, 2014

SteveAS said:
I haven't owned any true vintage frames, but that green gunk problem is the biggest problem I have my modern-production Shuron Ronwinnes.

I wear the same style, also modern-production, but the Artcraft Rimways. They're the most comfortable frames I've ever had. Anyway, a couple of years ago, I was putting them on or off when I happened to drop them, and catching them instinctively I just about about folded them closed at the bridge! I thought they were goners, but the optician managed to bend them back again, just about good as new. I'm still wearing them. With care, they're just about indestructible.

Gin&Tonics · Jan 8, 2014

Has anyone got any idea where I might procure a decent and affordable pair of pince-nez SUNglasses? My online searches have been relatively fruitless. I would, I think, prefer the rigid bridge style with the spring loaded clamps. Any information is very much appreciated.

WideBrimm · Jan 8, 2014

Not sure about sun glasses per se, but here's one web site on pince-nez worth exploring: http://pincenez1.blogspot.com/

dh66 · Jan 8, 2014

If you can come up with some frames (ebay maybe?) any optometrist shop should be able to put tinted lenses in them, even if you don't need a prescription.

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Picard1138 · Jan 8, 2014

Gin&Tonics said:
Has anyone got any idea where I might procure a decent and affordable pair of pince-nez SUNglasses? My online searches have been relatively fruitless. I would, I think, prefer the rigid bridge style with the spring loaded clamps. Any information is very much appreciated.

What dh66 said: All you need is the nose piece (make sure it fits you first, this can take some adjusting if it's the right size to begin with), and they can install tinted polycarbonate. If it's a rimless design, like the ones I'm wearing, it helps to have a set of lenses for them to trace.

-Max

Shangas · Jan 8, 2014

Max, you've got a very handsome set of pince nez there.

I sometimes wish I still had my pair of clip-on sunglasses. I had a pair when I was younger and I don't know what happened to them. I wish I still had them. They'd be handy on sunny days.

-- -- -- --

Talk of the devil. My dad had them!

It's nice to have clip-on sunglasses again. But I think I need something a bit more versatile.

I'm going to visit the local optometrist, and see if they have any of those clip-on hinged sunnies, like these:

That way, I can pop them on, and when I don't need them, just push them up, and use my specs regularly. Then just drop them down when I need them.

sola fide · Apr 2, 2014

Dinerman said:
I finally got around to getting lenses put into my great grandfather's "Silvaline" glasses, which he bought in the mid 1930s.

That is cool. Your grandfather had style.
Mike A

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