Golfing glasses with adjustable swing-out lenses to help the wearer see the ball better, circa 1940s.
Derek C. Davidson was a collector who wrote “Spectacles, Lorgnettes and Monocles”. From his author’s bio:
“The late Derek Davidson trained as an optician. He started his own business and a workshop for custom-made fashion spectacles. He also began to collect old spectacles and was the founder of the Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors Club.”
I own the book, which is small and nice, a bit like a pamphlet almost. When he passed away and there was an estate auction I picked up a few of his more interesting pieces. This is one of them. These glasses were designed around the 1940s for golfers with a pair of hinged secondary lenses that could be swung in or out, depending on whether the wearer was taking a shot. In other words, selective bifocals.
As you can see, Mr. Davidson’s hand written notes remain intact on the lenses, which I think makes them even nicer, sort of like an heirloom within this realm of collecting.
Half eyewear influencer, half digital strategist… Glassesrating is my passion and my special world of fun, beauty and style!
