Train Ride Spectacles
What do planes, trains, automobiles have in common? Specialized glasses, like this pair for Tiny Tuesday!
These fascinating spectacles date to the third quarter of the 19th century and were used to protect the eyes during train rides. The metal mesh screens on the sides of the lenses protected the wearer from dust, insects, wind, and ash that blew in through the coach’s windows as they rode the rails. Like modern sunglasses, these lenses are tinted to protect from the sun’s rays, and oftentimes were tinted green, blue, or a dark shade. The spectacles would have been attached to either metal frames, a chain, or a ribbon to be worn.
For ease of travel, these glasses have their own little metal carrying case! The oval case is finished in a style called Japanning. Originating as a Western imitation of Asian lacquer work, japanning is characterized by its shiny varnish that is like enamel paint. While black was the primary color used in japanning, this case is a lovely copper color. The glasses can be folded and placed within the case for convenient travel.
These railway glasses are just one of the examples of 18th to 20th century eyewear in the FRHS’s collection!