Catalogue Number: 2525 Spectacles worn by former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, and case Category: Spectacles and lenses Sub-Category: Spectacles with case Corporation: Oliver Peoples Inc Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 2013 Time Period: 21st C Place Of Publication/Manufacture: Italy Description Of Item: Oliver Peoples Ashton spectacle frame, 134 x 40 mm, in dark honey-amber shell, glazed with multi-coat Essilor multi-focal lenses power approx R and L -3.00 D add 1.75 D, right temple marked OLIVER PEOPLES HAND MADE IN ITALY, LEFT TEMPLE MARKED OV5224 ASHTON 50/17 140, contained in hard black plastic snap case with RALPH LAUREN embossed on top, black velvet lined with brand name in red lettering on inside of lid RALPH / RALPH LAUREN Historical Significance: Julia Eileen Gillard (born 29 September 1961) is a former Australian politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, and the Australian Labor Party leader from 2010 to 2013. She was the first woman to hold either position. She was born in Barry, Wales, and migrated with her family to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982, she moved to Melbourne, Victoria. She graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws in 1986. In 1987, Gillard joined the law firm Slater & Gordon, specialising in industrial law, before entering politics. She was first elected to the House of Representatives at the 1998 federal election for the seat of Lalor. She was first seen in public wearing glasses during her Prime Ministership, and these glasses were worn by her at that time. See correspondence with Ms Gillard about these glasses at Cat No 2053. The manufacturer of the spectacle frame, Oliver Peoples Inc, was founded in 1986 and is based in West Hollywood. It co-founder was Larry Leight, also the company's creative director. The company's first optical boutique was located on Sunset Blv. Leight bought an estate collection of vintage American-made eyewear that included thousands of beautifully filigreed rimless and metal frames, including clip-on metal sunglasses produced by iconic American companies. All the frames were unworn, in mint condition, and in original packaging. He purchased the entire lot, which included a receipt signed 'Oliver Peoples,' who he reasoned was the original owner or distributor. When he decided to sell the estate collection in the retail store, it seemed fitting they use the name. How Acquired: Donated by Ms Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia, Date Acquired: Dec 2014 Condition: Very good Location: Archive Office. Spectacles cabinet Drawer 17 |