Glasses
1950-1959 (made)
| Place of origin |
Pair of child's National Health spectacle frames, of translucent pale blue cellulose acetate. The frames are rounded, with a straighter and slightly winged top, and have a high joint with a keyhole-shaped bridge and clear acetate pads; the hinged sides are reinforced with a metal core, and curve inward and downward to fit around the ears.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cellulose acetate and metal |
| Brief description | Child's spectacle Frames; British, 1950-59 |
| Physical description | Pair of child's National Health spectacle frames, of translucent pale blue cellulose acetate. The frames are rounded, with a straighter and slightly winged top, and have a high joint with a keyhole-shaped bridge and clear acetate pads; the hinged sides are reinforced with a metal core, and curve inward and downward to fit around the ears. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 44 x 2
M X NH |
| Object history | References: The donor in his letter states that children's spectacles of this type "were produced on the most simple of machinery...they were made by many British manufacturers to the ministries (sic) general specification [and] each licensed manufacturer would mark the frame with his four letter code..." Acquired by the donor during his career as a dispensing optician with R W H Clements, 1 Portland Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4UG. The NHS scheme whereby children were given free spectacles lasted from 1946 to 1988, when it was phased out in favour of vouchers. |
| Production | Made by: National Health Service |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.303-1996 |
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| Record created | April 19, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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