Post by dawnluckham on Jan 11, 2008 0:15:05 GMT -5
On another thread there was some brief mention about eyeglasses. I want to share my own solution:
A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend a living history conference where one of the speakers discussed eyewear for the Regency period. At the end of his talk he invited us to get close up looks at items in his collection and ask questions. I showed him the pair of glasses that I wear and he agreed, that this “generally” (i.e. You’re not an eyewear expert or “geek” ) is a solution that works very well.
First, as in all things, do your homework. Learn what the period look was. This web site is excellent in it’s information. Lots of pictures!
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/
This is what Regency era glasses looked like:
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/2111-33.html
Notice the bridge, the hinges and the earpieces.
This pair is more delicate. The bridge piece forms a “w” shape and the earpieces are much finer.
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/1087-09.html
Now, have a look at these on eBay:
tinyurl.com/2wy2m8
I wear something very similar to these. The bridge matches the earlier “w” bridge and the basic shape and size of the lens piece match the earlier glasses. These are roughly from the 1920’s. They are pretty available and affordable. My local “glasses place” was able to put my prescription in them (cost me about $30). The wire earpiece didn’t come into use until about the 1880’s but this is hidden when I’m wearing them and it’s very comfortable and they stay on (which is important). So, on my glasses, the earpiece and the hinge are different than the Regency era glasses. Earpiece is unseen when I wear them, so the only “give-away” is the hinge. How many people will know about the hinge? In all other respects, the glasses are a very close match.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend a living history conference where one of the speakers discussed eyewear for the Regency period. At the end of his talk he invited us to get close up looks at items in his collection and ask questions. I showed him the pair of glasses that I wear and he agreed, that this “generally” (i.e. You’re not an eyewear expert or “geek” ) is a solution that works very well.
First, as in all things, do your homework. Learn what the period look was. This web site is excellent in it’s information. Lots of pictures!
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/
This is what Regency era glasses looked like:
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/2111-33.html
Notice the bridge, the hinges and the earpieces.
This pair is more delicate. The bridge piece forms a “w” shape and the earpieces are much finer.
www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/1087-09.html
Now, have a look at these on eBay:
tinyurl.com/2wy2m8
I wear something very similar to these. The bridge matches the earlier “w” bridge and the basic shape and size of the lens piece match the earlier glasses. These are roughly from the 1920’s. They are pretty available and affordable. My local “glasses place” was able to put my prescription in them (cost me about $30). The wire earpiece didn’t come into use until about the 1880’s but this is hidden when I’m wearing them and it’s very comfortable and they stay on (which is important). So, on my glasses, the earpiece and the hinge are different than the Regency era glasses. Earpiece is unseen when I wear them, so the only “give-away” is the hinge. How many people will know about the hinge? In all other respects, the glasses are a very close match.