Chic and retro eyeglasses from the 50s not to be turned into a toy
Published 8:38 pm Friday, September 13, 2019
- Jerry Sampson is owner of J. Sampson Antiques, Books and Appraisals on Main Street in Harrodsburg. He has been an accredited senior appraiser (ASA) in the American Society of Appraisers since 2009. To request an appraisal, send clear digital photos, detailed descriptions, measurements and condition to jsampsonantiques@bellsouth.net. Only one item per person. Items will be selected on an individual basis and may or may not appear in print. No coins, money, stamps, weapons or sports memorabilia will be considered. No emailed photos or information will be kept. Information discussed in Personal Effects is not intended to be a substitute for an in-person appraisal of an item. Exact valuing can come only from actual viewing. Jerry Sampson, J. Sampson Antiques, Books and Appraisals, The Advocate-Messenger and its staff cannot be held responsible for misinformation or incorrect estimates. These featured appraisals are intended for entertainment purposes only and are not valid for insurance coverage or estate settlement.
By JERRY SAMPSON
Personal Effects
Question: Dear Jerry, what do you think of these retro eyeglasses? I think that they are just plastic and not the older bakelite. Surprisingly enough, they are prescription. How freaky is that? They are in excellent condition with no damages and all the stones are intact. No marks that I can see. They did come with a little velvet case. Should I hang on to them, or let my granddaughter play with them? Would they have any value?
Answer: WOW! How very cool. I was hoping for something interesting to pop up in my email — and this is it. You have a vintage lorgnette. A lorgnette is a pair of eyeglasses with a handle. You hold them in place rather than have them perched on your nose and supported by your ears. The word “lorgnette” comes from the French word, lorgner, which means to take a sidelong look at, and from the Middle French lorgne, which means squinting.
Why is it strange that they would be prescription glasses? At one time these were the height of style and sophistication. Pieces like these were more jewelry than just eyewear. I found several examples online, but not exactly like these. I also discovered that there were several companies that could have manufactured them, so that’s a tough one to really pin down.
Picture it — a 1950s bridge club with a couple dozen ladies in full skirts, reminiscent of
what would have been worn on an episode of “I Love Lucy.” Swishy skirts that softly rustled when they walked. Hair, nails and makeup to perfection. Linen bridge cloths in pastel colors, ironed and starched within an inch of their threads. The air perfumed with cigarette smoke and Chanel #5.
Suddenly, with cat like reflexes, a woman named Mable, picks up her lorgnette, to examine the new woman joining the group. Do you get how cool and retro they are now?
Collectors love them. I found lots of examples online. I think that in the right place that sells
vintage and retro clothing items, these would be priced for about $45. No, don’t let your granddaughter play with them. They are too classy to be transformed into a toy. Thanks for a great question.
