Post box for spectacles
 Catalogue Number: 3365 Post box for spectacles Category: Memorabilia and ephemera Practice/Business: C Werner and Co Year Of Publication/Manufacture: c 1970 Time Period: 1940 to 1999 Description Of Item: Brown cardboard box, 180 mm x 85 mm x 30 mm H, slip on lid, with copper staples securing the corners. The top carries the words 'When returning spectacles, full name and address of sender should be enclosed in the box. C. WERNER & CO./ OPTICIANS/ 247 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE, 3000/ TEL.: 63 2773 AND 63 2774/ AND AT/ 437 TOORAK ROAD, TOORAK, 3142/ TEL.: 24 1691'. Historical Significance: Post boxes for spectacles were commonly used in the early years of optometry because it was not always convenient for patients, especially those in the country, to attend to collect their glasses or to return them for adjustment or repair. C Werner Pty Ltd was a well known optometry firm in Melbourne in the first half of the 20thC. It was established by Carl Werner (1852 - 1902) who migrated to Australia from Denmark (Duchy of Holstein) in 1870. He established the firm Carter and Werner that practised optometry, made spectacles and sold optical instruments probably about 1880. Carl Werner studied optometry in London and was the first person to obtain the FSMC diploma in 1898. (See the Werner family profile under the tab 'People who made history' on this web site). The firm established a branch in Melbourne. Carter and Werner was sold in 1902 and the practice in Melbourne became in 1902 the principal practice and was then called C. Werner and Co and was run by Carl Werner's two sons, Fred and Roy Werner. See similar items at Cat nos. 1790 and 3346 How Acquired: Donated by Elizabeth Hatfield, Fellow of the College Date Acquired: June 2017 Condition: Very good Location: Archive room. West wall. Unit 2 Drawer 2 |