Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany as a stationery store, Tiffany & Co. grew into a famous jewelry store by the 1850’s.
Tiffany moved into its store at 15th and Union Square West in 1870 and left that same building in 1905.
Since this beautiful opera glass is labeled Tiffany Union Square and Tiffany New York, it is from this end of the 19th century time period during that 35 year span.
This exceptionally beautiful model comes with its original leather case (well worn with one pin missing from the rear hinges). A straight pin could be used to repair this.
The case lining is a red satin material. The inside of the lid is labeled :
Tiffany & Co.
Union Square
New-York
The right ocular is signed :Tiffany & Co Union Square
The left ocular is signed: Tiffany & Co New York
The metal seems to be gilt, since there are no gold markings.
The body is a beautiful lavender-end-of-the-spectrum, mother of pearl (abalone , nacre).
There are incredibly detailed vines filigrees around both ends of the opera glass body.
Estimated magnification is 2 X.
The separation of the center of the oculars is about 63 mm. This is a distance that is suitable for most people’s pupillary distance.
In the days of this opera glass’ manufacture, opera glasses did not have changeable interpupillary distances as today’s binoculars all do.
The focusing works fine.
