Spectacles
PeriodCirca 1860 - 1865
Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSteel, glass
Dimensions4.5 in. (11.4 cm)
ClassificationsVision Devices
Credit LineGift of Mrs. William Barclay Parsons, 1932
Object number150
DescriptionA pair of steel framed spectacles, with a wide arching nose wire and two ovoid deep blue-tinted glass lenses. A second side pair of blue-tinted ovoid lenses are fitted into steel frames and attached to the side hinges. A pair of fine steel "pivot" or "turn-pin" style wires (known as temples) are attached to the left and right hinges as well.Curatorial RemarksSpectacles of this type - with a secondary set of lenses serving as protective side panels - were popular from the early 1800s through the end of the century. Sometimes known as "railroad glasses" or simply "eye protectors," this style of eyewear with its blue-tinted lenses were worn for protection from light, wind, and weather. Mary Holmes Conover may have had what was termed "weak eyes" or a sensitivity to strong light, resulting in her owning such a pair of glasses.NotesThe original donation records for these interesting spectacles note that they belonged to Holmdel resident Mary Holmes Conover "in 1864." Mary Holmes was born in Monmouth County in 1794 and married farmer Hendrick P. Conover (1800-1869) in 1921. The couple had several children. Mary died in 1844.
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