What kind of Glasses are appropriate for GAoP?

[Gentleman of Fortune]

This is an interesting topic that was burried in another discussion, so I thought I would dig it out to see the sunlight as it affects a population of Pirate re-enactors.

The real question for those of us who need to correct thier vision is:

What kinds of glasses are appropriate for the Golden Age of Piracy. For the sake of this discussion I will exand the definition of GAoP to 1690ish to 1725.

The short answer is, for glasses with temple arms (like modern glasses) they are not period. They were not invented until 1727 in England, and I would imagine that their wide spread use wasn't noted till the 1730s.

A time line for eyewear http://www.antiquespectacles.com/history/t...gh_the_ages.htm

For authentic eyewear, you need a type of glasses referred to as Nose Spectacles or Nuremburg Spectacles.

This is what they look like (from antiquespectacles.com)

At this point, I am not even sure who makes a pair of glasses like that but I will poke around and see if I can hunt some down.

At the end of the day though, if you can't afford corrective eye surgery or wear contacts, you need something to see.

Jas Townsend sells a copy of the 1727 and later style of glasses here

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?p...products_id=166

This is what they look like

If you are going to wear glasses with temple arms, I suggest getting these as at least they don't look like modern glasses. For $35, they should be within your budget and you could probably have basic lenses put in them for less than $100.

Good luck

GoF

[Rumba Rue]

GoF, read what I just wrote regarding pirate kit stuff.

[Duchess]

Are those what are known has "pince nez" in french? AKA "nose pinchers"

Me mum came across a dark pair in an antique shop that actually folded up when not being worn. They came with a little leather case about 1.5" across, basically the size of the lens.

[Gentleman of Fortune]

IF you gotta see... than you gotta see!

My eyesight is pretty bad, but not bad enough that I can't see without my glasses, so I don't wear them when I am in kit. I would love to get lazik surgery done... one of these days.

I think its best to go with the JAS Townsend glasses... even though they date to 1727. The public will probably not know, but because they are unsual, you might get asked by the public about them.

I would have no problem saying... This type of glasses came into being at the very end of the GAOP and would have been very expensive to a sailor.... yada yada yada.

Hats of to Boats for making the attempt!

GoF

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Duchess....

Glasses without temple arms reappear in the mid 19th century as fashionable eyewear and these are the pince nez glasses.

From the antiquespectacles.com site

GoF

[Duchess]

Thanks, I didn't realize the style originated so far back in time. And the resurgence date seems to correspond to the time frame of the glasses my Mom has.

[Deadeye]

I just wear Contact Lenses. sure they aren't period by any stretch, but they do not detract from the look and effect and most people do no notice them...

I have HORRIBLE vision... somthing in the range of 20/400....

[blackjohn]

Glasses without temple arms reappear in the mid 19th century as fashionable eyewear and these are the pince nez glasses.

I have a really cool pair of 19th century glasses from when I did Old West. They did sit well on my big Polish nose though.

Some months ago in Captain Twill I posted a pic of a bookseller from about 1700. He was, as I recall, wearing a pair of these nose spectacles.

So... the question now is, who gets to tell everyone in our group that they have to ditch their 1727 glasses?!?! (I guess that would be me.) :)

[Gentleman of Fortune]

John....

I think that glasses are one of the tough areas. If everyone who had glasses was wearing 1727 style, I don't think there is a problem. But you normally see a wide variety of styles that date from the 1930s to modern and I think that gives the overall impression of the group a kick in the groin.

I think the best thing is to just say, "Hey, for $35 you could get a pair of frames that at least are within 5-10 years of the GAoP."

I am trying to find a source to make the Nuremburg Style of templeless glasses. But even I had them made and "GAVE THEM AWAY" i don't think the GAOP communtity would adopt them.

GoF

[Patrick Hand]

My Girlfriend /lover got a pair of Jas Townsend glasses.... got them fixed.... period.... but they look diferent.............. OK John Lenon or somethig like that...........dang sometimes "period" just be diffferent..............