Equipment - Object, American Optical Company, Fits-u eyeglasses pince nez trial fitting setting, 1900s

Historical information

To be fashionable, and possibly improve vision at the same time, the pince nez style of glasses became popular. The 'Fits-u' design has a mounting that allowed the bridge to stay solid, whilst the springs in the nose pads allowed for removal (unlike pince nez which had a springs in the bridge). Although complete, this box includes models with different distance dimensions and the height of the bridge, with these figures are etched onto the lenses. An order table is included in the box with the pupillary distance and height so the catalogue number and quality and quantity of each size can be ordered by the dispenser. The pupillary distance is used to design spectacle frames.

Physical description

Canvas box which includes display models of different dimensions of pince nez

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten on the back: James Korp Backhouse (?) 1904 Ophthalmic Optician & Optometrist

Back to top