logologo-optometry

Defective vision: its cause and cure

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Catalogue Number: 1331
Defective vision: its cause and cure
Category: Book
Sub-Category: Significant book (Aitken collection)
Author: BLUETT Frederick J
Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1896
Edition: 4th Edition
Time Period: 19th C
Place Of Publication/Manufacture: London
Publisher/Manufacturer: Author
Description Of Item: Original red cloth, gilt lettered and decorated, 92 pages including price list and testimonials, illustrations include spectacles of the period. Extracts from reviews of the book opposite the title page including a review published in the Optician of April 23 1891.
Historical Significance: The first edition of this book was published in 1891. It ran to many ediitons, at least to the 12th edition published in 1904. The second and third editions were not revised. This edition is a revised edition. Mr Bluett is described as 'an eminent ophthalmic optician'. He practised at 8 Great Portland Street London W, north of Oxford Street. In the preface to the first ediiton he claims 26 years of experience in 'testing eyesight and adaping spectacles'. He began practising in 1865. This book is of particular interest among the many primer books on optometry published in the late 19thC and early 20thC, in that it was written by an ophthalmic optician (=optometrist) rather than a medical practitioner. The book is addressed to the general public and may have been for self-promotion of his optometry practice in London. The testimonials on pages 87 to 91 indicate that he took pride in managing challenging cases. The book has a price list and illustrations of the spectacles the author provided
How Acquired: Purchased by Kett Museum Abe books $AUD70
Date Acquired: October 2009
Condition: Very good
Location: Nathan Library. Aitken collection

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