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This is a category that I really wish did not exist at all.
Unfortunately antique optical items have also been abused. I strongly believe
that objects of historical significance must be respected so they can be passed
down to future generations. Otherwise important relics will never be completely
appreciated by our descendents. Any historical piece deserves to be saved in its
original entire state, if at all possible. It’s one thing to sell the whole
object to a museum for proper preservation by a conservator or curator. It is
yet another thing to cut an object into pieces and desecrate it in order to sell
the pieces to as many people as possible. Does anyone agree that we must embrace
our responsibility to protect historic objects?
In this section it is also appropriate to comment on
reproductions. Certainly they do exist but they should always be represented in
an honest manner, as reproductions. They are not and never will be the real
thing.
Finally this is an opportunity to comment on the wearing of antique spectacles.
This does occur and, in fact, I have several pairs which I use for reading. They
are round frame with double hinge and I honor and adhere to two very simple but
significant rules. First of all the frame is handled gently and with respect.
Secondly the original lenses, even if broken, are preserved and safely kept so
they can accompany the original frame in the future. This specific topic has now
become a feature addition to the website. “Wearing Antique Spectacles” by
Michael Lebby is highlighted and Michael is a strong proponent for respecting
all components of anyone’s optical antiques collection.
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Description |
Photo |
Comments |
| The Aaron Burr Association
acquired a “part of the spectacle case Alexander Hamilton had with him” at
the July 11, 1804 duel in Weehawken, New Jersey. |
This event was probably the
most famous duel in American History. Hamilton received a fatal wound and
Burr’s political career was ruined forever. Displayed together (1) currently
on the ABA website as a “recently acquired relic” is (2) “part of the case”
and also “strands of Aaron Burr’s hair”. However after the ABA purchased the
hair and spectacles another duplicate framed picture with hair and
spectacles appeared for auction. This display has evidently now sold on at
least four separate occasions and perhaps even more often. Each time it is
auctioned a picture (3) of the entire spectacle case is shown with a section
removed from it. |
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Regarding the provenance of
this eyeglass case, it was authenticated in October of 1982 by Christies,
which is a prestigious auction house. But what ever happened to the even
more famous spectacles and how did they become separated from this case? In
addition why would someone now destroy this eyeglass case’s integrity? I
personally believe it is unacceptable and an insult to history to alter
historical items in order to sell the pieces. To the contrary I believe
mankind is charged with the responsibility of preserving historical
artifacts in their complete and unaltered state. |
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