Spectacles have been valued as a mark of intelligence, social status and style since their invention in 13th-century Europe. The aristocracy readily adopted eyeglasses, for reasons of status more often than vision correction. Wooden frame spectacles, a replica of which is on display, were some of the first to appear. The most challenging aspect of wearing these early rigid frames was keeping them balanced on the nose. Various solutions were attempted, such as attaching cords to the glasses which could then be tied around the ears. A Chinese version of this style from around 1800 is displayed along with its original case. The 18th century brought hand-held, single-lensed, glasses into vogue in Europe. Examples of quizzing glasses, scissors glasses, prospect glasses, and lorgnettes from this period are on display. A tiny prospect glass concealed in a mother-of- pearl charm epitomizes the practice of discreet observation at social gatherings so popular among 18th-century aristocrats. Spectacles with adjustable temples arrived in the 19th century, along with blue and green lenses for protection from the sun. A simple pair of rectangular reading glasses, which are said to have been worn by Abraham Lincoln, are among the collection of mid-19th-century eyewear. The 20th century is represented by large tortoise shell frames from the 1920s and the cat's eye or harlequin frames introduced in the 1940s. The display is rounded out with light-weight plastic frames from the '70s and '80s which feature drop-temples and tinted lenses. Through the course of nearly seven centuries, eyeglasses have become an accepted fashion accessory and within the past twenty years have come to be considered a mark of one's individuality and taste.

28. Top: folding spectacles with
case, Chinese, circa 1800. Bottom:
Magnifying glass with papier-
mache case, English circa 1700,
both from the collection of J.
William Rosenthal, MD, New
Orleans.

29. Clockwise from center: Spyglass
charm, French, circa 1880; Lorgnette
pendant, French, circa 1820, Lorgnette
clip American, circa 1930; Folding
lorgnette, American, circa 1920; Scissors
glasses, French, circa 1810, all from
the collection of J. William Rosenthal,
MD, New Orleans.

30. The order receiving room of an optical dispensary in Philadelphia, circa 1894, from Catalogue and Price List of Optical Instruments, Philadelphia: Bonschur & Holmes, 1894.

31. Spectacles, from Catalogue and Price List of Optical Instruments, Philadelphia: Bonschur & Holmes, 1894.