Silver spectacles which belonged to Madame Victoire de France (1733-1799),
daughter of Louis XV. One finial bears the initials “V.L.” and the other the
royal fleur-de-lis, the armorial emblem of French royalty, Essilor-Pierre
Marly collection, Collectible Eyeglasses, Crestin-Billet, unique |
Adriaen van der Venne, "Elderly lady dancing", oil on panel,
camaieu in brown
(monochrome - same tones of one colour) painting, 10,7 x 7,5 cm, Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum
Aachen, inv. no. GK 531 |
Oval glass loupe, silver mounting, both sides shows a decoration (probably
added later), silver plates are mounted on tortoiseshell, from the area
around Zaandam (a village north of Amsterdam), early 1800, Collection
Aangenendt, likely unique |
Gaspare Traversi, Italian (ca. 1722-1770). The Arts: Music, 1755-1760. Oil
on canvas, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Gift of
the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, F61-70. Photograph by Jamison Miller. |
Ox horn spectacles with threaded temples, folding at the nosebridge, likely
early 18th century, round shagreen case probably 100 years later, From
Spectacles of Ancient Times collected by an Ophthalmologist, published by
the Museum of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea |
This is obviously an important topic that is of strong interest to
collectors, museum curators, collections managers, and basically everyone.
RESTORING OPHTHALMIC ANTIQUES by Ronald J. S. MacGregor is an excellent,
comprehensive, and valuable compilation of knowledge. Articles for it were
written from practical experience and the original material was then published
in the club newsletter in the 1980s. This was compiled, gathered together for
easy reference, and since then, in two earlier printings, has become a very
useful standard for everyone. The information contained in this booklet will
prove to be of great assistance to everyone.
You are all advised to
contact the OAICC to inquire about the third printing which has just
recently been accomplished in 2008.
RESTORING OPHTHALMIC ANTIQUES by Ronald J. S. MacGregor is now available
again.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Cleaning
3. Iron and Steel
4. Real Tortoiseshell and Horn
5. Brass, Silver, Copper and White Metal
6. Cases
7. Repairs
8. Materials
9. Lenses
10. Books and Prints
11. A case for Restoration
12. Leather
13. Instruments
14. Shagreen
15. Eyebaths
16. Blueing
17. Gilding and Electroplating
18. General Hints
19. Preservation
20. Conclusion
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