Vintage Eyeglasses

Mojave Jack · Nov 28, 2005

Wow! Great sites, everybody! I keep meaning to do some searching for a good pair of vintage wire rim frames, but you guys have done all the work for me! Thanks! :cheers1:

Jabot's really has some selection, too. Sefton, where is their store located? I'd really like to try some on to get a good fit.

clsecmbt · Nov 28, 2005

one more

I researched here for a while, specifically the Ronsir Classic and Freeway.

Ricko · Jan 23, 2006

vintage frames with glass lenses

I'd like to offer some information on this subject as I've done my homework on this matter and feel I can offer some help.
I had a pair of the ever popular "Silhouette" brand of titanium framed glasses which were two years old at the time the nose wire broke. I took the frames back to the store where I purchased them thinking that I could just order the front piece and reuse the bows off my old pair. To my surprise they were no longer made after only two years and $400!! Seems this is planned obsolescence at its best!
Well I purchased a pair of circa 1930 wire frame eyeglasses which had the original glass hex cut lenses in them for a small sum of $40.
Now here's the problem and solution. Lenses of that period were what are known as drill mount glass lenses. Today you cannot find anyone in the U.S. who will do a drill mount glass lens for these types of frames! Because of legal issues, the need for a second line of machinery, unskilled labor, and low demand, it just isn't done. Every eyeglass company pushes the plastic lenses which there are some plastics that can be drill mounted.
But it is common knowledge that glass lenses are more optically clear than plastic and don't scratch as bad.
I have since found that the drill mount glass lenses are still made and can be ordered through a firm in Ottawa Canada! I send my frames to an Optician in Windsor Canada who forwards them onto Ottawa. The cost I believe was about $175 U.S. for the lenses. I was very happy with the results and should you want to fit your vintage eyewear with the glass lenses that they originally were fitted with, I'd be happy to give you the information I have to get you going. PM me for the details.
Regards
Rick

decodoll · Jan 24, 2006

Lauren Henline said:
I have bought a few pairs from these guys. They're a husband and wife team, and make vintage inspired glasses as well as selling vintage frames. And putting the lenses in through them is cheaper than taking them to my eye doctor. They go to the Rose Bowl flea market and the Vintage Expo in Santa Monica if you want to try them on yourself. Then they can put in your persciption and mail em to you. Or you can take them to your eye doctor to do it.

I've gotten vintage sunglasses from them at the SF Vintage Expo before, but I've only ever seen them bring one style of the reproductions. I so want the Bronte style now! And they're on closeout!!

Quigley Brown · Jan 25, 2006

The prices are rediculous.

I've found vintage eye glasses at yard sales cheap and had an optician shop put in non-prescription sunglass lenses for about $50 (which was a major purchase for me).

Dis · Mar 21, 2006

I have a pair of windsor type. They are not made by windsor but they are round with the saddle nose and cable temples. They are WWII era from france. They don't fall off my face and they don't slide down and they're as light as a feather. I don't know why they don't make glasses like this anymore.

Mine are slightly off kilter too. My optician said they are handmade as opposed to coming off of a machine so they will have slight irregularities. My face is slightly irregular too, so it doesn't matter.

I'm never gonna wear a new pair of glasses again.

Matt Deckard · Mar 21, 2006

1930's and gold filled... a gift from a friend!

Marc Chevalier · Mar 21, 2006

What ... your glasses or your tooth?

Dis · Mar 22, 2006

They look really classy. When I get a decent pic of mine, I'll post it.

You got some nice friends!

Matt Deckard · Mar 22, 2006

Thank you.

Mojave Jack · Mar 23, 2006

Marc Chevalier said:
What ... your glasses or your tooth?

Ha! That was good!

Matt, those look excellent. They fit your face perfectly, and really finish off the look.

I need to pick up a pair, but I'm so rarely down in LA where all the good places seem to be. Glasses are one of those things you just can't mail order.

binkmeisterRick · Mar 23, 2006

Do they make them in more of an oval shape? I find fully round specs are, well, too round for my face.

Tin Pan Sally · Apr 14, 2006

http://www.allynscura.com/antiques_index.htm
You could contact this company to see if they could help with a nose piece.

I have a few frames including Marshwoods w/hard case, gold filigree cat eyes, bakelite cat eyes, and my favorite dainty rhinestone/deco pair.

Wobbely · Apr 14, 2006

Nice frames. I love checking out the old frames in secondhand stores

jamespowers · Apr 14, 2006

I have two octagonal pairs--one for sunglasses and the other clear. I bought a lot of eight last year. Good thing because I broke the nose piece on my clear prescription pair (at the QM

). A spare pair had to give up its nosepiece so the other could live again.

I like rimless glasses so the octagonal glasses fit the bill and the pieces are easy to replace if they break. You just unscrew the defective piece and screw on a new one, whether it is an earpiece or a nose piece. They just screw to the lens.
The lenses are easy to change. Your local eyeglass shop can make them for you in a few days. Quite convenient if I do say so.

Regards,

J

Sefton · Apr 15, 2006

After I bought my ninth pair of eyeglass frames recently I had to finally admit to myself that I collect eyeglasses. They all have identical prescription lenses so I can (and oftern do) change them depending on my mood or dress. Here are a few of my favorites:
1960s black plastic with a very "European movie director" look. Very wide temple arms.

These are my oldest pair. 1940s wire rims with spring metal temples. I was lucky enough to get them with a nice original metal case:

These aren't vintage but have an interesting take on the classic "browline" style that was popular in the late 50s and into the 60s.

These are the ones that I am currently wearing. 1960s translucent plastic in a smoky brown color:

These are (hopefully) in the hands of the U.S. Postal service who will safely (again, hopefully) deliver them to me tomorrow. 1960s black plastic. Either NASA engineneer or Woody Allen (I'm too skinny to get the Clark Kent remarks...

)

I've been wearing eyeglasses since I was at least 3 years old and can't really imagine not wearing them. I wouldn't even want to wear contacts, I think glasses are better and fit in with my manner of dress so well. Also the idea of putting something on my eyes directly is not appealing at all....

Marc Chevalier · Apr 15, 2006

Have you considered having LASIK eye surgery?

The first pair of glasses looks exactly like the ones worn by Michael Caine in your avatar. :eusa_clap

scotrace · Apr 15, 2006

Sefton, do you have your optical place install your prescrip in them? Do they ever give you any guff about it?
I have a little pair of nose pinchers I'd like to have fit for reading glasses but I'm sure Dr. Darrell will give me ten reasons why it won't work.

Sefton · Apr 15, 2006

I don't think I'd care for the laser treatment. I know that it works but I don't mind wearing "windows" at all. Amazing process though...

Those frames do look somewhat like the ones that Michael Caine wore. It's hard to tell from my photo but they really are very bold frames. I never see anything like them. 60s frames have a lot of style.

As for optical shops giving me any problems...no, not really. The most that has happened is their telling me that because the frames are old they could break when the lenses are installed.That has not happened so far...and won't, I hope.
I just tell them to go ahead. They made those old frames well.

shamus · Apr 15, 2006

I actually upgraded from my 1920 Winsor to a 1940's pair with nose pieces like Matts

I find that I too have a quite a collection, but I've bought a bunch on ebay hoping they'd fit... well they don't. I think I'll have a big Ebay sale.

Sefton: I think I have that same black pair (top pic). But mines a little tight on the head after a few hours of wearing.... But they look really cool.

You can pick up a great pair of 10 to 12K gold fill glasses on ebay for under 10 bucks!

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