Guide for the Identification of Pince Nez

Advertisement for an eyeglass shop in Paris, medical optical, free eye exams, supplying the social insurance of the hospitals

Advertisement: They never fall off the nose, resistant to perspiration, superior stability, you can wear them hunting, fencing, and horseback-riding, price 7 francs

Distinguished Looking Gentleman, anonymous, oil painting, Austria, 1885 (currently in an important Italian collection)

Advertisement for Le Terminus Pince Nez, The mischevious naughty boy who tore his trousers, fortunately that his grandmother, thanks to her pince nez Terminus, had the sight of a 15 year old

Advertisement: A New Invention, end of the 19th century, These are so light on the nose that you can easily replace the usage of glasses, fashioned after the ideas of the oculist Dr. Galezowski

Pince nez eyeglasses are relatively common and many people collect them. In addition they are quite often seen in the groups of antique vision aids at most institutions holding collections. In all the research of materials that have gone into the development of this website, a guide for the classification of pince nez has never been located. Therefore it was felt that by creating a guide this void could be filled.

The attached chart is a work in progress, a collaboration of numerous Americans and Europeans who have experience and knowledge of this sub-topic. Constructive suggestions on ways to modify it are always welcomed. Terminology noticed in the literature may differ from that which is used in this guide. Also there certainly may be some overlap of examples. All sorts of variations are known to exist, especially in the nose bridge and nose pad regions. However we hope that you will find this work to be useful.

(Printable Full-Size PDF File)

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