Eyeglasses

Object Name:

Eyeglasses

Object ID:

1903.011

Place of Origin:

Worcester, MA

Date:

circa 1800

Description:

Eyeglasses and case. According to family tradition, worn by Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831), printer in Boston and later in Worcester, MA. Silver frames. Oval lenses, c-bridge, hinged two part temples with rounded ends. "J. Thomas" engraved on outside of frame. Paper-covered papier mache two-part "pull-off" style case. Written in ink on one side of case: "Presented by Miss Helen E. ____ Aug. 1903", and on other side of case, "Spectacles of Isaiah Thomas". On back of case are small floral embossed stamps.

Material:

Metal
Glass
Tissue

Dimensions:

H-1 W-4.7 D-6.8 inches

Provenance:

According to family tradition, the eyeglasses were owned and worn by Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831) of Worcester, MA. They were next owned by Isaiah Thomas's nephew, Moses Thomas (1767-1856), who in turn gave them to his grand-daughter Sylvia T. Fellows (1821-1889). She gave them to her niece, the donor, Helen E. Robinson (1841-1914).

Credit Line:

Gift of Helen E. Robinson

People:

Thomas, Isaiah (1749-1831), Thomas, Moses (1767-1856), Fellows, Sylvia T. (1821-1889), Robinson, Helen E. (1841-1914)

Subjects:

Eyeglasses, Spectacles