Black velvet mat for display of spectacles
 Catalogue Number: 3470 Black velvet mat for display of spectacles Category: Equipment Sub-Category: Dispensing tool Year Of Publication/Manufacture: c 1930 Time Period: 1900 to 1939 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: South Carolina Publisher/Manufacturer: Shuron Ltd (Shuron-Austral) Description Of Item: Black velvet mat, 290 x 208 mm, with orange sewn border marked in the top left corner in orange with a spectacle-motive logo and the words 'SHURON-AUSTRAL' and in the right bottom corner 'SHURON-AUSTRAL / GLASSES'. The mat is backed with black cloth and carries the marking in a rectangle 'MANUFACTURED BY / PACO PRICESS CORP / BROOKLYN NY' Historical Significance: This mat was previously owned by Miss Ella Lillian May Pink (1890-1986) an Australian woman who qualified in optometry in London in 1915 and practised optometry in Australia from 1917 until September 1953.The mat is designed to be used on the table at which patients selected spectacle frames and had their glasses adjusted to fit. It served to present spectacle frames and spectacles in the same way jewellers used a mat to display jewellery.It is a promotional item made for Shuron Ltd, one the oldest spectacle making companies. It was founded in 1865 and was still in business at the time this catalogue record was made. It would most likely been a promotional gift to Miss Pink. How Acquired: Donated by Noel Dawson (Ella Pink collection) Date Acquired: Jan 2018 Condition: Good Location: Archive room. West wall. Unit 1 Drawer 3 |