Catalogue Number: 1615 Martin Wells woman's spectacle frame, Heather Category: Spectacles and lenses Sub-Category: Spectacle frame Year Of Publication/Manufacture: late 20th C Time Period: 1940 to 1999 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: Australia Publisher/Manufacturer: Martin Wells Description Of Item: Mustard yellow acetate woman's spectacle frame, saddle bridge, concealed joints, unglazed, 130 x 50 mm, right side marked '135 273 Martin Wells Heather 449', left side marked 'Frame Australia 135'. Size 50/19 marked on back of front, Historical Significance: Martin Wells was an Australian spectacle frame manufacturer founded by business man Sidney Sinclair OBE AM (1915-1999), optometrist Eric Hurst and Dino Zigarelli, a spectacle frame expert. Martin Wells produced a range of spectacle frames in the 1950s that were highly popular in Australia and ushered in a new era of fashion into spectacles in Australia. In the early 1950s the most common styles were flesh and demi-amber plastic frames with full-vue lens shape and plastic hockey sides; steel frames covered with imitation tortoise shell and curl sides, and rimless glasses. They were not fashion items. Condition: Fine, Unused Location: Archive Office. Spectacles cabinet Drawer 15 |