Oddities and curiosities

Every profession/field has its share of weird and unusual objects, and without a doubt, the optical world has more than its share. Here are a few The Eyeseum has acquired during its travels.

Pair of glasses for a ….chicken?? This pair from Kentucky, during the dust bowl era, were designed to keep chickens from pecking each other’s eyes out!!

Pair of blindfold glasses used during ceremonies involving the Oddfellows, a philanthropic fraternity started in Britain in the 1700s.

What the….? Although this looks really strange, it is actually a prototype of a pair of glasses designed to be adjustable, for either nearsighted or farsighted people. It consists of 2 thin membranes filled with silicon oil. You can add or remove oil with the syringes, thereby changing the curvature and prescription. It was designed for use in underdeveloped countries as inexpensive eyewear, although it never really got off the ground.

One of the rarest, most unusual and most beautiful optical artifacts is the optical fan. These were used by women in the early 1800s to “spy” on other people while hiding behind a fan. According to prominent optical antique expert Dr. David Fleishman, fewer than 200 of these exist in the world today, most of them in public museums. This French gilt bone fan is dated around 1800.

One of the rarest, most unusual and most beautiful optical artifacts is the optical fan. These were used by women in the early 1800s to “spy” on other people while hiding behind a fan. According to prominent optical antique expert Dr. David Fleishman, fewer than 200 of these exist in the world today, most of them in public museums. This French gilt bone fan is dated around 1800.

Late 18th century perfume (scent) cut glass bottle with a spyglass in the middle. Very similar to the optical fan, it was used when discretion was warranted.

Late 18th century perfume (scent) cut glass bottle with a spyglass in the middle. Very similar to the optical fan, it was used when discretion was warranted.

1940s lighter / microscope combo, Hamburg, Germany. Possibly used for measuring thread counts in fabrics. Microscope magnification is about 20x.

Another cigarette lighter, but this one is a miniature spy camera, manufactured in Japan during the Cold War, c. 1956

Here’s something you don’t see everyday, an eyeglass case / gun combo! This Belgian “Lefacheux” style gun with bone grip handles , dated 1864, is just 5 inches long and comes with a spectacle holder. The glasses that came with the case are from a later period, probably 1910-1920

Here’s something you don’t see everyday, an eyeglass case / gun combo! This Belgian “Lefacheux” style gun with bone grip handles , dated 1864, is just 5 inches long and comes with a spectacle holder. The glasses that came with the case are from a later period, probably 1910-1920

Wax epithesis of an eye and orbital area from a soldier disfigured in World War I. An epithesis is a type of prosthesis that acts as a cosmetic modification to a bodily deformity.

Along the same lines as above, here is a pair of glasses attached to an epithesis of a nose made of aluminum.

This “spy” camera, made around 1906, was designed to look like a pocket watch! Manufactured in England.

Spectacle case with miniature clock, leather, dated 1873

These are mortician eye caps. They are inserted in a deceased persons eye to keep them from popping open during a viewing! c. 1912

These are mortician eye caps. They are inserted in a deceased persons eye to keep them from popping open during a viewing! c. 1912

Bruno the spectacle cleaning bear. Wind him up and he cleans his glasses. c.1940

This is a Stanhope viewer in a mother of pearl letter opener with a brass statuette of Napoleon. A Stanhope viewer is a miniature lens designed to look at microphotographs (less than 2 mm wide (1/16th inch)). It was invented in the mid 1800’s. This one is from around 1875 and shows pictures of Napoleon’s residence, Chateau de Compiegne. For more info about Stanhope viewers, see the following article: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/secrets-of-the-worlds-tiniest-photographs/

This is a Stanhope viewer in a mother of pearl letter opener with a brass statuette of Napoleon. A Stanhope viewer is a miniature lens designed to look at microphotographs (less than 2 mm wide (1/16th inch)). It was invented in the mid 1800’s. This one is from around 1875 and shows pictures of Napoleon’s residence, Chateau de Compiegne. For more info about Stanhope viewers, see the following article: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/secrets-of-the-worlds-tiniest-photographs/

Early 19th century, late 18th century “lover’s eye”. This was a piece of jewelry with one’s lover’s eye painted on it to always be able to look at them.

Another painted eye, but this one is a mourning eye, inscribed on the back, “In loving memory of dear Grandma, Ob’t 27th Sept., 1878

Another painted eye, but this one is a mourning eye, inscribed on the back, “In loving memory of dear Grandma, Ob’t 27th Sept., 1878

Glasses for fishing!

Here is a pair of Russian Cold War goggles designed for viewing a nuclear explosion, dated 1968

USSR spy camera, this one a very rare buttonhole camera issued to Russian KGB agents also during the Cold War. The button was inserted into a suit, with the trigger for the shutter hidden in the pocket. When the spy wanted to take a picture, he pressed the switch which opened the ”button” shutter (see below). You could also control the shutter speed on the switch. Circa 1950-1960.

Glasses in a bottle??? Whaaaatt….How’d they do that??

1880s Ex-voto. These were hand made tokens that were hung in churches to give thanks to God for curing diseases of the eyes.

Old Judge Cigarette advertising stereoscope (rotoscope)with miniature stereo cards. Made in 1887.

Old Judge Cigarette advertising stereoscope (rotoscope)with miniature stereo cards. Made in 1887.

Carved walking stick made of ebonized wood with hidden telescope in the handle! Possibly Asian, circa 1900.

Carved walking stick made of ebonized wood with hidden telescope in the handle! Possibly Asian, circa 1900.

This film viewer, designed to look like a pack of cigarettes, showed 20 ”naughty” pictures of Hollywood pin-up girls. Circa 1940.

This film viewer, designed to look like a pack of cigarettes, showed 20 ”naughty” pictures of Hollywood pin-up girls. Circa 1940.

Perfume (scent) bottles in the shape of an opera glass! With personalized case, c. 1940

Salt and pepper shaker opera glasses, souvenir from Blackpool, England, circa 1880-1900

Pair of bed specs. Designed to watch TV while laying down in bed

Eyeglass case shaped like a coffin! With silver cross. Kiev, Russia,c. 1890

These glasses are designed to fit underneath a gas mask, like this 1944 U.S. WWII model.

These glasses are designed to fit underneath a gas mask, like this 1944 U.S. WWII model.

Goggles designed for peeling/chopping onions! Didn’t see this on Shark Tank!

WWII anti-gas eyeshield, Made in Canada

WWII anti-gas eyeshield, Made in Canada

Here is a collection of working miniature glasses and optical devices, most less than 2 inches!

Here is a collection of working miniature glasses and optical devices, most less than 2 inches!

Telescope glasses! Spy on your neighbor!

Hand carved wine cork of man who puts his glasses on by pulling a lever in the back, Italy, circa early 1900.