Vintage Eyeglasses

WideBrimm · Jun 20, 2014

bombin said:
I got my cable temple spectacles back from the optician yesterday; I had him adjust the temples a bit (and put on covers, just in case) and they seemed to fit ok, but with continued wear they're becoming more and more uncomfortable (on the ears mainly).

Is this likely to just be getting used to new frames discomfort? Or do they probably need further adjustment?

A related question - how difficult is it to adjust the temples oneself? (My wife has a set of jewellery tools and offered to try to adjust it.)

bombin: You might want to try loosening the cable temples if they are a bit too tight, then tightening them up again at a later date if you want. Just remember that the "weak link" is where the "spongy" part attaches to the "solid" part of the temple. So with thumb and forefinger of one hand, hold on to one end of the spongy part, and with the other hand hold onto the other end of the spongy part; then GENTLY work open the spongy part just a slight bit. It doesn't take much to loosen it up. NEVER force it. Do one temple then the other. You can play with them just a bit until you are satisfied. If you don't want to try this yourself, you can certainly ask the optician to do the adjustment. That's part of the service you are paying for. And you can watch while the optician does the adjustment, and then do it yourself the next time. Good luck. Once you get used to wearing cable temples, you just might find yourself reluctant to return to glasses with the skull temples!

bombin · Jun 20, 2014

@WideBrimm: Many thanks for the information. I actually went back to optician on Tuesday and he re-adjusted them. They're much less tight then before, but my ears and nose are still a bit sore, but hopefully that will pass soon (I'm wearing the cable temples a few hours and then my old specs a few hours).

I certainly like the cable temples better overall - my old specs with skull temples always slip down my nose.

WideBrimm · Jun 23, 2014

bombin: "I certainly like the cable temples better overall - my old specs with skull temples always slip down my nose."

BINGO! This was always my problem with the sixties retro black plastic frames which are so popular right now.
My solution was to frequently take a clean handkerchief to the contact points. That was the only way to keep them from sliding down my nose!

dh66 · Jun 24, 2014

Here's my b.c.g.s

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

cookie · Jun 24, 2014

Stuffsmith said:
Hi bombin - just speaking for myself, I find cable temple specs do make the backs of my ears sore with use over a day. I have other glasses that I alternate with them because of this.

In terms of adjusting the temples, it depends on what adjustments you're speaking about. Tightening screws on the hinges can be done with miniature screwdrivers with great care not to strip the screw.

I have always put a little plastic tubing over the cable temple arms (basically hidden/invisible) and that avoid the rubbing issue. I can't work out how Douglas MacArthur found them so useful.

bombin · Jun 28, 2014

Is there any hope of finding clip-on sunglasses that would work with vintage frames? (I've never used clip-ons, so I don't have much experience.)

bombin · Jul 5, 2014

Photos of my new/old spectacles (marked STOCO, which would seem to imply that they're pre-1925, since the Standard Optical Company became Shur-On in 1925):

http://imgur.com/a/1kZfc

[The Drs Ravdin seem to be the father and brother of the more famous Isadore Ravdin: http://www.archives.upenn.edu/faids/upt/upt50/ravdin_is.html ]

highway66blues · Jul 21, 2014

Found these

in an antique mall a couple weeks ago.
I've been wanting 20's frames for some long time now. I happened across these with case for not a lot at all.
Under the bridge is stamped FulVue.
May I ask for an education on period (which?) eyewear.
Would these be around 1930's or later ?
I am guessing that where the arms attach to the lens frames says something about this...

bombin · Jul 21, 2014

@highway66blues: Did you have a look at this page: http://clearlightoptical.com/Ful-Vue/

It looks like they were introduced in the 1930s (the name is a 'play' on "Full View")

highway66blues · Jul 21, 2014

WoW ! No Sir I have not, which is why I put up here.
That is Great, Thank You for puttin' in the right direction.

It why I love this lounge, so much learnin gets done here.

Retro Spectator · Aug 4, 2014

Does anyone know where to get Shuron Ronsirs? Do they support prescriptions? The place where I get glasses probably does not carry Shuron.

Young fogey · Aug 4, 2014

You can try directly from the manufacturer. Google for some sellers, such as Optometrist's Attic. Or get a real vintage pair from eBay (check the measurements or ask the seller for them, and check the pictures carefully for condition), better because the metal in the old ones is gold-filled (look for "GF" on the back of the metal bridge in front) so it's valuable.

Like with most people here, the Bay's been very, very good to me over the years.

I'm partial to the elusive Holy Grail of true-vintage browlines, American Optical Sirmonts, 44 lenses and 5¾ or 6 temples, preferably narrow taper temples and preferably silver-color metal with black or dark-gray marble plastic (zyl). As seen in Catch Me If You Can. (My best pair, new old stock, is a great dark tortoiseshell red but with gold-colored metal. Perfect fit.)

A problem I've had with some vintage frames is irritation on the right side of my nose from the used pads. Still having it with my dark-gray 46 AO Sirmonts. Tried nail polish on the pads but the problem hasn't gone away. Also done the blow dryer on the frames (careful!) for fitting (you should ask the optician to fit them).

dh66 · Aug 4, 2014

Contact Shuron directly. They are super cool to deal with, and will send you several pairs to try on if you don't know your exact size, then you just keep the ones that work and send back the rest.
Vic at Optometrist Attic is super cool too, and has some of the best prices as well.
Either option can install your prescription if you need them to.

Retro Spectator · Aug 4, 2014

I have another question. Did they make the tortoiseshell ones in the 40's? Are these ones on Amazon real? Can they be turned into prescription lenses despite saying reading glasses?

I could be mistaken, but I thought I read the vintage ones can't have the nose pads replaced.

I could try getting them from Shuron's website, but my Mother would probably be afraid that they are scammers, and she wouldn't get them. The same would probably be true for any website that isn't a large company. She is kind of paranoid when it comes to websites.

I am almost certain the optometrist shop I visit wouldn't order them, since they seem to only carry ridiculously expensive frames.

Does Lens Crafters carry them by any chance?

Young fogey · Aug 4, 2014

Retro Spectator said:
I have another question. Did they make the tortoiseshell ones in the 40's? Are these ones on Amazon real? Can they be turned into prescription lenses despite saying reading glasses?

I could be mistaken, but I thought I read the vintage ones can't have the nose pads replaced.

I could try getting them from Shuron's website, but my Mother would probably be afraid that they are scammers, and she wouldn't get them. The same would probably be true for any website that isn't a large company. She is kind of paranoid when it comes to websites.

I think there were round tortoiseshell glasses in the '40s. The Amazon listing shows real Shuron browlines; looks like they're selling them with magnifier lenses of one's choice/needs. If they are selling real Shurons, yes, they are Rxable. (Readers and cheap fake knockoff frames aren't.)

True of AO Sirmonts that the nose pads aren't replaceable. An optician told me.

Retro Spectator · Aug 4, 2014

I found another place that sells them. I didn't go there, but has anyone ever heard of, or ordered from, Frames Direct? It seems they were featured in the New York Times. That should be enough to convince my mother that they are legitimate.

dh66 · Aug 5, 2014

You could save about $30 by buying them direct from Shuron. Call the phone# on their site and talk to the dude, or get your mom to call him. You can't beat getting to try on several pairs to get a perfect fit. Contrary to the modern trend in manufacturing, eyeglasses are NOT one size fits all.

ingineer · Aug 5, 2014

Retro;
Heed dh66's advice.
It helps to know your face size, the mm's from ear to ear across your face.
That is approximately double the lens size plus the nose.
Plus you want to have the center of the lens match your PD.
If you go with the Attic he will take a money order.
Richard

tommyK · Aug 5, 2014

ditto on dh66's advice.

I've dealt with shuron directly and can vouch for their integrity. they sent me a couple of styles in about 3 different colors and sizes. I ended up getting bigger frames than I thought and a second shipment of sizes and colors. Just had to pay the extra shipping. Will get more from them in the future.

esteban68 · Aug 5, 2014

Here's a pair of ALGHA frames I acquired recently, and yes one lens is missing....thinking of getting prescription reading lenses inserted or maybe green glass...any recommendations for getting lenses popped in vintage frames in the UK?

Vintage Eyeglasses

A-List Customer

Familiar Face

A-List Customer

I'll Lock Up

Familiar Face

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

Practically Family

One of the Regulars

Practically Family

One of the Regulars

Practically Family

One Too Many

One Too Many

Call Me a Cab

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