Catalogue Number: 2335 Harvette tortoiseshell folding spectacles Category: Spectacles and lenses Sub-Category: Spectacles folding, scissors glasses Designer/inventor: Gerald Henry Wingate Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1931 Time Period: 1900 to 1939 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: United Kingdom Description Of Item: Imitation tortoiseshell folding frame glazed with plano glass lenses. The bridge is double-hinged with two metal hinges and both temples are likewise double-hinged at their midpoints to enable the spectacles to be folded completely to a very small size (65 X 35 mm) . The temples are marked on the inside 'HARVETTE PAT NO 357677' Historical Significance: UK Patent 357677 for 'Improvements in or relating to folding spectacles' was applied for on 14th July 1930 by Gerald Henry Wingate of 15 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, London. The patent was published on 1st October 1931. How Acquired: Donated by Bruce Dudon, spectacle maker, Woodend Date Acquired: April 2013 Condition: Very good Location: Archive Office. Spectacles cabinet Drawer 13 |