Here is the revised description with improved transition words and reduced passive voice:
1. Product Description
Monocle Lens with Handle and Case — c. 1750
This monocle lens with handle and case dates from around 1750 and represents one of the earliest surviving examples of the monocle-style eye glass form. The glass measures 2⅜ inches in diameter and sits in a copper mount holder. Together, lens, handle, and original brass and leather case make this a remarkably complete set for an object of such age. Its previous owners purchased this piece in February 2002 for $282.50 and generously permitted these photographs to be shared here.
The Case
The original brass and leather case measures 5⅜ inches long by 3 inches wide. Craftsmen riveted it together with iron nails — a construction method entirely consistent with mid-18th century practice. Some wear appears on the case exterior, as one would expect from an object approaching 275 years of age. Additionally, a few small flakes appear at the edges of the glass itself. Neither detail detracts meaningfully from the overall integrity and display quality of this extraordinary survivor.
The Monocle-Style Eye Glass in the 18th Century
By the mid-1700s, single-lens hand-held eye glasses had begun to appear among the European educated and wealthy classes. Although the monocle as a socially codified accessory reached its peak in the 19th century, its precursors circulated well before that fashionable era. This example therefore predates the monocle’s social heyday entirely, placing it among the earliest functional single-lens optical instruments that collectors encounter today. Browse the full antique spectacles museum collection to explore related optical objects from across the centuries.
Materials and Construction
Craftsmen made the mount holder from copper — a material commonly used in early optical instrument making before brass became universally dominant. The handle allows the user to raise the glass to the eye in the manner of a quizzing glass. Furthermore, the leather case has developed a rich, dark patina wholly consistent with genuine age. For broader historical context on early single-lens optical instruments, the College of Optometrists’ spectacle history collection provides an authoritative reference.
Rarity and Provenance
Surviving 18th-century monocle-style eye glasses with their original cases are exceptionally scarce. Moreover, this example carries documented purchase provenance from 2002. Its age, completeness, and condition together make it one of the more significant pieces of early optical history available to collectors today.
