Silver octagonal readers 1830
Silver octagonal readers from the beginning of the 1800s are in good condition for being almost 200 years old.
They have the typical “crank” style bridge of the time. They also are octagonal in shape.
The temples are the narrow, sliding type,with “tear-shaped” loops on one end.
The left temple is marked “40” near the hinge. This was the way glasses were sold in those days.
It indicates the focal length of both lenses is forty inches. In today’s dioptric nomenclature, this would be the same as a +1.00 reader.
A plus one diopter, reading glass is appropriate for many people around 40 years old to help with their reading vision.