Historical Eye Glasses From Jas. Townsend and Son

Eyewear is such an important element of you reenacting persona. We offer several different styles of eyewear, so today we talk about the history of some of these pieces, and try to help you decide which piece is right for you! Links to eyewear below!

[Lucius]

I would dearly like it if you had a replica of mid/late 19th c. pince-nez available. The pair I use for reading are currently falling apart, and it's hard to find replacements for them. (I do have a pair of original 18th c. double hinged spectacles, which I occasionally use [with modern lenses] for certain distance purposes)...

[curtisthomas]

Those sterling temples are absolutely gorgeous

[kbilisoly]

How did people get along before glasses?

[lorib]

I wish I could get a pair of these but I have yet to find an optician that will do custom lenses. I've tried numerous opticians over the years but they only sell lenses for frames they carry. If I walk in with my own set of frames they won't even talk to me. I've had to resort to getting the roundest frames I can find in colors that sort of blend in so they don't attract too much attention. Rimless frames work great for this but those are hard to find in round lenses. I've asked why can't I get any shape lenses since there is no metal going around the lenses but they just wont do custom work. It's so frustrating.

[Martial-Mat]

What a fantastic business you guys have created for yourselves.

[virginiamanning]

I am almost legally blind, my lenses are precision made to give me depth perception, and distance and i cant "fake" them in historic garb...and my lenses cost 300 dollars a pair

[elha]

I forgot how "commercial" some of the old episodes were. Still the best ad of 2015

[erinsquire]

I here classes all of my life since when I have eye surgery I was a 6 month old baby

[cosettelewallen]

Why were our eyes more closely located compared to now? What happened to make our eyes become wider spaced?

[pamsolomon]

I remember my mother using a quizzer before she got eye glasses. She was born in 1942, but she was a lady of traditions and was the epitome of elegance. Love your post.

[Emil_Nielsen]

I cant find the silver glasses on the website :(

[grappleapple]

now this is how you sell merchandise. I loved watching this. Its always interesting to hear a piece of history. Thanks for sharing this

[Tony]

I tried buying a pair of vintage eyeglasses online but they’re impossible to find to fit my face. My face is simply too large it sucks

[Mary]

What is the use for the double hinged glasses?

[lcdrhobiesaunders]

Do you have reader lenses in the 19th century glasses?

[chriswatkins]

I have a pair of English made Temple glasses that are marked from the English mint to be from 1777. The lenses are intact and an excellent shape for being that age.
the mint marks have been researched to England official mint and 1777. any idea what they possibly could be worth or who to get ahold of to find out?

[null]

Do you guy's still sell the pince-nezs?

[conleymacp]

I remember reading once that hundreds of years ago (not sure the correct time period) in China, people used eyeglasses with cords for the temple piece instead of the typical arm, with weights on the end draped over the ear. Works pretty well, a friend did that to his broken glasses and wore them for years. Love your channel, your enthusiasm is genuine!

[colonialtimes]

Is there any chance of making Nurembergs suitable for daily use?

[mv]

Hi, I dont see the quizzer on the website.. Is it still available?