55.00 $ VINTAGE RETRO EYEGLASSES ALGHA PANTO ROUND WIRE RIMS HARD CASE ENGLAND Hinckley
- Location: Hinckley, Utah, United States
VINTAGE RETRO EYEGLASSES ALGHA PANTO ROUND WIRE RIMS HARD CASE ENGLAND
The black clamshell-type hard case opens and closes/snaps easily and has some wear, mainly on the inside velour-type interior. The case is embossed in gold letters with a name and address: H. C. Sparks, F.B.G.A., 132 Winter Rd., Southsea. These glasses may or may not have been Mr. Sparks own personal eyeglasses. Also, if I am correct, my research shows me that this fellow was an ophthalmologist practicing in Southsea, England on 143 Winter Road in the 1950s, so these eyeglasses may have belonged to one of his patients. See the ad below that I found online that relates to Dr. Sparks:
[http://www.genesreunited.co.za/searchbna/results?memberlastsubclass=none&;searchhistorykey=0&;keywords=h%20sparks&;type=advertisement]: Portsmouth Evening News Hampshire, England 9 Oct 1951 H. C. SPARKS Consulting Ophthalmic Opticians 143 Winter Road Southsea Telephone Portsmouth 32428 H. C. SPARKS Consulting Ophthalmic Opticians 143 Winter Road Southsea Telephone Portsmouth 32428.
[Note the format of telephone exchange name/number format that they used at that time.] Southsea is an area within Portsmouth, England.
Even though the ad in the paper indicates 1951, this ophthalmologist could have been in service for ages before that (possibly even a family business for generations). From my research, my instinctive thought is that these wire rims are much older than 1951; that is, that they themselves might be older than the case, but that is just a guess.
As for the eyeglasses, the nose bridge is marked ALGHA B. I believe these eyeglasses were custom made by hand in London, England and manufactured in the ALGHA factory, which dates back to the 1920s. Panto refers to the shape of glasses which is often associated with the National Health Service (the National Health range of glasses was an historical phenomenon peculiar to the United Kingdom between 1948 and 1985). The term panto comes from the word pantoscopic which literally means seeing everything or wide view. These frames, round with a high hinge, certainly deliver maximum lens. The high quality of NHS eyeglasses has meant that many frames have survived to the present day and they have now taken on a new identity... as desirable retro-chic eyewear.
The period 1948 -1951 was a golden age for the ophthalmic opticians. New patients were presenting themselves from all directions and the cost could be claimed from the State by filling in a few forms. Many people who had never had an eye examination before, or at least not for a very long time, emerged from the woodwork. Some demanded their free spectacles even when the result of the sight test proved that they didnt need them! Free (metal) spectacles for all were among the first things to be cut from the NHS scheme, by Labour Partys Hugh Gaitskell in 1951 on grounds of cost. After that, free spectacles were restricted to certain qualifying groups.
Size of the eyeglasses in this listing: frame width: 4 inches; cable arms are about 4 long before curving to slid around the ear; lens size: 1-1/2 (38.1 mm) in diameter; bridge: 7/8 (22.225 mm); and metal nose pads are about 6/8 long. Most vintage frames tend to run small. They were worn much closer to the face than todays frames. They still remain favorites by many today who desire the vintage look and are generally associated with intellectuals and academia.
These vintage eyeglasses would be a nice addition to your collection, or I would assume they could possibly be refitted to use with your lens prescription or used as is.
See the photos for more details. Cash only. Thanks for looking.
Phone number ✆ +1 385-327-7138
Related listings
-
Apple Promo ItemsCOLLECTIBLES - Randolph (Utah) - May 20, 2024 40.00 $
Apple Promo Items ⭕ Not Available in stores - Large logo t-shirt (black), Stainless steel insulated travel mug, BPA Free 20 oz. water bottle Phone number ✆ +1 385-889-7477 Randolph, Utah
-
Antique Indian Beadwork Horse BagCOLLECTIBLES - Uintah (Utah) - May 17, 2024 1500.00 $
Antique Indian Beadwork Horse Bag ⭕ Plains Indian beaded bag. Large horse-bag and probably Sioux. Soft buckskin with large panels of blue, green and yellow bead designs. Lots of beads on this piece. Approximately 22 by 14. This piece probably pre-res...
-
$1000 Mexican CoinCOLLECTIBLES - Trenton (Utah) - May 7, 2024 55.00 $
$1000 Mexican Coin ⭕ I have a $1000 Mexican coin that I am offering for sale. My family is going through some tough financial times and I need to sell this unique coin. It is larger than a U.S. half dollar and thicker, as shown in the picture. The ha...
-
Avon Hummingbird CrystalCOLLECTIBLES - North Ogden (Utah) - May 7, 2024 500.00 $
Avon Hummingbird Crystal ⭕ 84 pcs of Avon Hummingbird Crystal, want to sell in a set $500 cups/saucers plates salt and pepper shakers, wine glasses, champagne glasses, vase, candle sticks, bowls, servings platters and bowls, soup/salad bowls. can tex...
-
Hand Carved And Painted Helicopter - Very Well Made In Great ConditionCOLLECTIBLES - Huntsville (Utah) - May 6, 2024 95.00 $
Hand Carved And Painted Helicopter - Very Well Made In Great Condition ⭕ Hand carved and painted Helicopter - very well made in great condition - 30 inches long Phone number ✆ +1 801-848-8369 Huntsville, Utah
-
Swoobat-foilCOLLECTIBLES - Sandy (Utah) - May 5, 2024 10.00 $
Swoobat-foil ⭕ in pristine condition in card sleeve Photos available upon request Phone number ✆ +1 385-458-2656 Sandy, Utah
-
Barbie & Ken Star Trek Gift SetCOLLECTIBLES - Big Water (Utah) - May 5, 2024 30.00 $
Barbie & Ken Star Trek Gift Set ⭕ 30th Anniversary edition 1996. New old stock. Old Deerfield, 37 N. Main, Deerfield. 10am-5pm 7 days. We ship. 56 Phone number ✆ +1 385-650-8650 Big Water, Utah
-
Darren McFadden Autographed Football And Jacoby Ford Autographed JerseCOLLECTIBLES - Smithfield (Utah) - April 30, 2024 175.00 $
Darren McFadden Autographed Football And Jacoby Ford Autographed Jerse ⭕ Darren McFadden autographed football and Jacoby Ford autographed jersey for sale. I got them at a charity auction. Asking $155 for the Darren McFadden football and $45 For the J...
-
PigCOLLECTIBLES - Sunset (Utah) - April 29, 2024 50.00 $
Pig ⭕ landracer and blue butt cross gilts and boar Phone number ✆ +1 435-335-7102 Sunset, Utah
-
Mathews, Mission, Solocam ThermosCOLLECTIBLES - Hyrum (Utah) - April 26, 2024 25.00 $
Mathews, Mission, Solocam Thermos ⭕ New never used ,in the box Mathews, Mission, Solocam thermos or flask,thank you Phone number ✆ +1 385-898-3556 Hyrum, Utah
-
King Comforter SetCOLLECTIBLES - Clinton (Utah) - April 25, 2024 300.00 $
King Comforter Set ⭕ Comes with everything pictured on the bed. Comforter, shams and I also got the extras euro shams, sheet set and throw pillows. $300 (over $400 for everything originally) Phone number ✆ +1 385-453-6888 Clinton, Utah
-
Vintage Radio Flyer Town & County WagonCOLLECTIBLES - Bluffdale (Utah) - April 25, 2024 50.00 $
Vintage Radio Flyer Town & County Wagon ⭕ Vintage Radio Flyer Town & Country Red Wagon. Has had some uses but is still a great peice. It measures 35 by 15 by 9 not including the handle. 9 diameter wheels. 2nd Chance Resale is located at 2420 Rose St ...
-
Dept. 56 Heritage Village Old Michael ChurchCOLLECTIBLES - Annabella (Utah) - April 24, 2024 45.00 $
Dept. 56 Heritage Village Old Michael Church ⭕ Item #: 56.55620 Old Michael Church Description:Item has been displayed but is in excellent condition (no chips, cracks, etc.). Light cord included. Original box & sleeve. Stone base with lath and plaste...
Comments
Leave your comment (spam and offensive messages will be removed)