Monday, May 17, 2010

A vintage treasure




I was lucky enough to win a great vintage optometrist set on ebay very recently. It came from the US. I was amazed at the amount of bits and pieces in this set. As well as all the lenses, it has three pairs of spectacles, 2 pairs of spectacles that the lenses fit into, a monacle, extra little bridge, all the eye charts and a small collection of photographs of the man it belonged to.


Above is a photo of the store owned by Dr Joseph Levitan, the optometrist who owned and used the set.



These photographs show Dr Levitan at various times through his life, the last one is a polaroid taken in 1991 outside his shop. He retired in 1993 and passed away last year. I found his obituary online.







What a sweet little bridge with beautiful engraving and Mother of Pearl nose rests.
As you know, I use the lenses to make my pendants. It's a bit of a pity to break up a set but at the same time, it's of no real use anymore. Even with a few lenses missing it will still be interesting to me.

Speaking of pendants, those of you who were holding your breath for me to make a pendant for a giveaway....exhale! This week is my blogiversary so I'll be posting a giveaway to celebrate. Stay tuned!

25 comments:

  1. How amazing - I didn't realise you used the lenses for your pendants. Interesting set. Those eye charts would look great framed if you like typography.

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  2. Sarah, I can't wait to see what treasures you create with these!

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  3. Oh wow... What an incredible set. I agree, a shame to break it up but the end results will no doubt be worth it!

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  4. What an interesting little ebay find and how nice to know a bit of history about the owner. Looking forward to seeing your creations xx

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  5. I've just stumbled upon your blog and I'm really looking forward to following your renos. Love the ebay find, too - very interesting! Thanks, Jane

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  6. That is such an interesting win! That would be so fun to inspect and play with that set. And you know the history of it! I hope you are enjoying it. I am loving the photos of it.

    Rachael

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  7. It's a beautiful set. I love that you took the time to find out about the original owner..Rachaelxx

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  8. What an amazing find! Can't wait to see what goodies you create with these. K xx

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  9. What a amazing find !!

    Congratulations !! Sarah !!

    Happy day....enjoy.............hugs from Ria

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  10. What a great set and rare to get so intact. I love eye charts and agree with brismod that they would look fantastic framed. Really, this will make me sound very old...which believe me I feel...but it is so fantastic the stuff we can find out thanks to google etc...really when you think about it it is so cool, cheers Katherine

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  11. Wow what an amazing find! I'm looking forward to that giveaway, you know I love your necklaces!

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  12. That is so neat! Congrats on the win! I love vintage typewriters and music instruments, this would fit right in, too!

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  13. such a fun look at those....love those eye charts...

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  14. wonderful vintage lenses, but did you know that a certain GP in Sandy bay still (or did up till 2001) use those same type of lenses? i could tell you his name if you ask me prettily!...k.

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  15. That's an amzing find! Full of history...love it :)

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  16. Wow, what a really special find... lots of history :)

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  17. A vintage treasure indeed. Such history, you have a great find there!! x

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  18. fantastic find... just love it... xx

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  19. Oh my gosh, what a find! Just amazing!

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  20. What a fabulous find....plenty of hours of fun I'm sure there as you sort through it all xx

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  21. wow that set looks amazing Sarah, I especially love the old eye charts! Can't wait to see what you create from it! Hope you're having a great week!

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  22. How magical....I am off to see your creations. Just found your lovely blog. So glad I did. Hugs for a great week.

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  23. What a great find, that is so sweet with the photo's of him. The glasses are lovely.

    ps will try and get more puppy pic's.
    xoxo

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  24. That is so ingenious, wonderful that they will be transformed. Touching to see the photos too.

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