Opera Glasses came into existence as a result of a long line of inventions, and further improvements upon those inventions. The process started in the year 1608 when a Dutch optician by the name of Hans Lipperhey developed the first pair of binoculars with a magnification capability of X3. Less than a year later, a well-known inventor and philosopher by the name of Galileo developed what became known as the Galilean telescope. Advertisements were first found for opera glasses and theatre binoculars in London as early as 1730 in the form of a long collapsible telescope. The "Opera Glass" as it was referred to; was often covered in enamel, gems, ivory, or other art and paintings. For almost 100 years opera glasses existed merely as telescopes. In Vienna, in 1823 the first binocular opera glasses and theatre binoculars began to appear. They were two simple Galilean telescopes with a bridge in the centre, each telescope focused independently from the other by extending or shortening the telescope until the desired focus was achieved, which was useful, yet very cumbersome. Two years later in Paris, Pierre Lemiere improved on this design and created a centre focus wheel. This allowed the focusing of both telescopes together. After this development, opera glasses and theatre binoculars grew in popularity because of the superior view they facilitated in opera and theatre houses. The beautiful design of the glasses themselves also added appeal to the opera-going crowd. By the 1850's opera glasses and theatre, glasses had become a must-have fashion accessory for all opera and theatregoers. A vintage pair of 1920s opera glasses probably made in France by an unknown maker the item is significant due to it's provenance that can be traced and it's completeness as a useful social item and fashion accessory used by theatergoers from the mid 19th century and well into the 20th century. Some people still use modern variants of theater glasses today to improve their enjoyment of the theater.Both glasses and case are covered with black and white snake skin. Case lined with purple velvet, and has brass closure clip.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, opera glasses, serpentine opera glasses, binoculars, accessories, optical instrument, scientific instrument, theater glasses, french opera glasses, hans lipperhey

Small black opera glasses in black leather case shaped to fit with a clip to close lid (broken) and a small silver plate inscribed H.Tate on front.|The inscription on the eye pieces of the opera glasses is in french as follows LAMAIRE FAB-T PARIS (Fab-t means Fabricant = Manufacturer)Lemaire Fab-t Paris On Glasses|H Tate on silver plate on casepersonal effects, seeing aids