Have you ever thought about collecting eyeglasses or even the history of this necessity and how it has evolved into a fashion accessory? Author Nancy Schiffer has done an excellent job of documenting the "bridge between fashion and science".
Fantastic photography is the hallmark of this lavish book on eyewear dating back to before the 17th century. The earliest photographs shown are leather framed glasses (pre-17th Century) and the later Nuremberg magnifiers (1750-1800). These were simple, single glass magnifiers shown with paper mache and wooden cases.<P> Each century is individually explored with examples shown from China, Europe and even some Eskimo sun goggles. It was amazing to see pictures of three and four-lens spectacles using different tinted lens. These were a combination from the 18th century that I think would probably be considered innovative today. Schiffer also reminds readers of what a genius Benjamin Franklin really was -- mentioning how and why he invented the bifocal lens. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of eyeglasses pictured from the 17th-19th century to the present and how they evolved.
It was in the mid-to-late 20th century that glasses appear to become such a big fashion accessory and are the most flamboyant. Huge butterflies, lots of rhinestones, wings, pearls, dangles and jeweled glasses all made a fashion statement. Just imagine how these will be viewed 100 years from now -- during a future eyeglass retrospective.
This book should be used first as an historical and fashion reference and second as a price guide. Not many prices are shown.
If you are interested in fashion, costume jewelry or even early medical collectibles, this book is a good pick!
Although this book is no longer being published, it can be found on the secondary market.
