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Vintage Pair Japanese ‘Green’ 2.5x Folding or Pocket Opera Glasses in Box c.1950Near-mint pair of Japanese Sporting Binoculars, Opera Glasses or Theatre Glasses 2.5x25Original illustrated box, the lid with “Folding Opera Glass 25x Coated Lens”Spring-loaded folding pocket binoculars or opera glasses in chromed steel with green leatherette covers. “Green” to label on front frame,”Coated Lens 2.5x” to label on rear frame. 1″ (25mm) diameter objective lensIn excellent near-mint conditionBox 12cm x 7cm x 25mm (4.75″ x 2.75″ x 1″)Opera Glasses. Like many inventions, Opera Glasses came into existence as a result of a long line of inventions, and further improvements upon those inventions. The process started in the year 1608 when a Dutch optician by the name of Hans Lipperhey developed the first pair of binoculars with a magnification capability of X3. Less than a year later, a well known inventor and philosopher by the name of Galileo developed what became known as the Galilean telescope which had a magnification capability of x30 which allowed him to search the heavens.Advertisements were first found for opera glasses and theatre binoculars in London as early as 1730 in the form of a long collapsible telescope. The “Opera Glass” as it was referred to; was often covered in enamel, gems, ivory, or other art and paintings.For almost 100 years opera glasses existed merely as telescopes. In Vienna in 1823 the first binocular opera glasses and theatre binoculars began to appear. They were two simple Galilean telescopes with a bridge in the centre, each telescope focused independently from the other by extending or shortening the telescope until a desired focus was achieved, which was useful, yet very cumbersome.Two years later in Paris, Pierre Lemiere improved on this design and created a centre focus wheel. This allowed the focusing of both telescopes together. After this development, opera glasses and theatre binoculars grew in popularity because of the superior view they facilitated in opera and theatre houses. The beautiful design of the glasses themselves also added appeal to the opera-going crowd. By the 1850’s opera glasses and theatre glasses had become a must-have fashion accessory for all opera and theatre-goers.It was not until 1823 in Vienna, that the first binocular opera glasses were invented and put into use. It was built of two cylinders connected with a bridge. Each eye-tube extended independently for focusing. Two years later in Paris, Pierre Lemiere improved on these, and created the centre focus wheel, which allowed the focusing of both eyes together. The making of fine opera glasses entailed knowledge not only in optics. Each glass was worked on by painters, goldsmiths and other artists. By the second half of the 19th century they had become essential fashion accessories for theatre- goers. Many opera glasses were given as gifts and tributes, as can be learned from the inscriptions found on many of them.
Category: Cameras and Photography:Telescopes and Binoculars:Binoculars and Monoculars
Location: Deal
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