Catalogue Number: 284 General and practical optics Category: Book Sub-Category: Book of historical note Author: Lionel LAURANCE Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1908 Edition: 1st Edition Time Period: 1900 to 1939 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: New York? London Publisher/Manufacturer: Optical Publishing ? Description Of Item: Original grey cloth, 411 pages plus index, many optical diagrams. A note at the end of the book indicates that the book was published in 1908 and it appears to be the first of several editions. There is a sticker on the title page for the New York Publishing Company but the book was almost certainly published in London, perhaps distributed in the USA by Optical Publishing Historical Significance: Lionel Laurance (1856-1936) was an English optometric educator who wrote several text books on sight testing and optics (see catalogue numbers 281. 282, 283) that were widely used by optometrists in the early 20thC. This book has 6 editions: New York; Frederick Boger 1908: London; The Orthos Press 1908: London; Temple House 1914: London; School of Optics 1920 and 1932: New York; The Optical Publishing Company 1914. Lionel Laurance was born in England, emigrated to Canada 1886 where he set up an optical company. Educated himself in optics and optometry (which he started when confined to home with an injured leg). Founded 2 optometry schools in Canada. Returned to England 1896 to source optical goods for his Canadian business. Sat and passed first FSMC examination in 1898. Founded Institute Ophthalmic Opticians 1906. Taught optometry at Northampton Polytech for 2 years. See Fisher EJ Optom Vis Sci 1989; 66:484. Condition: Good Location: Nathan Library. Aitken collection |