The British Optical Association Museum

The British Optical Association Museum in London has the largest known repository of optical objects in the world. Their collection is wonderful in all respects because it is both broad and deep with many historic beautiful optical treasures. Numerous rare and unique objects can be seen there. The British Optical Association (BOA) was founded in 1895. John Hamer Sutcliffe, one of the “Distinguished Persons” to whom our website is dedicated, became their first secretary and in 1901 he established the library and also the actual museum. It was first opened to the public in 1914 but existed as a study collection before then. Therefore this museum can boast the title of the “oldest optical museum in the world”.

We have also been very fortunate to have Michael Lebby’s complete support and cooperation for this online project. Michael has a unique ability to match a facial expression to complement and capture the soul of every pair of spectacles he wears. In addition curator Neil Handley kindly granted permission for a few photographic sessions which led to the delightful slideshows below. Finally, Michael’s uncle (with similar name, and based in London, England) contributed his time and professional camera skills to capture each of the images on the slideshows below

Many of the actual vision aids that Michael wears are currently on display at the BOA Museum. Because of their huge collection, I encourage visitors to first go through all the images below and pay close attention to the particular description and dating of each object. This technique should be a useful learning experience for collectors and curators alike. If you are novice just starting to become fascinated with optical objects there is a wealth of visual and written material available to you below. Then if you should also visit London in person and have some available time, call the Museum and schedule an appointment. I guarantee you an extremely worthwhile “eye-opening” experience.

The website of the BOA Museum also is truly remarkable and much information is available on a very wide range of topics. To learn more about the illustrious history of this world-class institution and also to learn more about some of their many treasures visit their website. Their MusEYEum has certainly become one of the most authoritative sources of ophthalmic historical information anywhere on the web.

http://www.college-optometrists.org/museum

Also check out their online catalog at: www.museyeum.org

Everyone involved with the antiquespectacles.com website appreciates Neil Handley and the rest of the staff of the BOA Museum. The slideshows above are just one result of our expanding collaboration. Additional slideshows are being developed and they will be added in the future for everyone’s interest and enjoyment. Stay tuned for additional slide shows in the future.