Opticians Collection

Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, Teesside. Date: 1890s

Advert for Curry & Paxton, binoculars 1934
Curry & Paxton, dispensing opticians, advertising binoculars with leather case. Date: 1934

Boulevard Lalezar, Tehran, Iran Date: circa 1910s

Kilindini Road, Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa, with Wardles Chemists, Photographers and Opticians. circa 1940

Advertisement, Thomas Harris, Opticians to the Royal Family
Advertisement, Thomas Harris & Son, Opticians to the Royal Family. 1841

Ww1 / 1915 / German Optimism
The German people favours OPTIMISMUS rather than PESSIMISMUS [though isn t it ironic that the sign should be rose-tinted spectacles ?]

An engraving depicting Knapp's auto-ophthalmoscope, 19th century
5311417 An engraving depicting Knapp's auto-ophthalmoscope, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1880); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French 18th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert
5306325 French 18th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert; Universal History Archive/UIG.

French 18th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert
5306324 French 18th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Dutch 19th century. illustration. showing the crucified Christ
5306362 Dutch 19th century. illustration. showing the crucified Christ; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Engraving depicting E. Barnard's Opsiometer for testing eyesight, 19th century
5311414 Engraving depicting E. Barnard's Opsiometer for testing eyesight, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1888); Universal History Archive/UIG.

French 19th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert (c. 656 - 30 May 727)
5306116 French 19th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert (c. 656 - 30 May 727); (add.info.: French 19th century illustration of Saint Hubertus or Hubert (c. 656 - 30 May 727)

Liscard shops, on Wallasey Road. Liscard is an area of the town of Wallasey, in Merseyside. 25th October 1991

High Street shops DP311688
52-56, High Street, Leicester. General view of group of shops on east corner of Carts Lane and High Street. View from the north west

Advert for F. I. Tovey, Ophthalmic Optician, Bath
Advert for F.I. Tovey, Ophthalmic Optician, New Bond Street, Bath Date: 1902

Eye surgery, illustration from Dictionnaire de Medecine d Emile Littre, 1884 (litho)
PCT2648333 Eye surgery, illustration from Dictionnaire de Medecine d Emile Littre, 1884 (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection

145-148 Aldersgate Street, London, 1879 (b / w photo)
1786064 145-148 Aldersgate Street, London, 1879 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); London Metropolitan Archives

Trade signs: Artists and Opticians (litho)
6026891 Trade signs: Artists and Opticians (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Artists and Opticians)

Regent Street, London, east side (engraving)
586571 Regent Street, London, east side (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Regent Street, London, east side); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

John Dollond (engraving)
619428 John Dollond (engraving) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: John Dollond (1706-61), English optical scientist and inventor.); The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Advert, Dollond Opticians, Ludgate Hill, London -- binoculars, opera and field glasses, etc. 1880

Illustration from Tractatus de Homine by Rene Descartes, 1664 (litho)
LSE2648335 Illustration from Tractatus de Homine by Rene Descartes, 1664 (litho) by French School, (17th century); Private Collection; Photo eLeonard de Selva; French, out of copyright

A Doctor operating on a cataract patient, illustration from the Medical Encyclopedia by
LRI2648334 A Doctor operating on a cataract patient, illustration from the Medical Encyclopedia by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d Alembert, 1772 (litho) by French School

Eye testing 1937

Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - note the wonderful signage advertising the Hotel Metropolis and the (rather wonderful) Poodle Dog Cafe !! Date: circa 1940s

Glasgow, Scotland - Charing Cross. Date: 1932

Advert Theodore Hamblin, fold-away spectacles 1937
Trade mark spectacle, that fold into a compact case, available from Theodore Hamblin, Wigmore Street, London. Date: 1937

Modern shopping precinct in Exeter, Devon, on a sunny day. Date: circa 1960s

Advertisement for Lancaster & Thorpe opticians, Derby
Advertisement for Lancaster & Thorpe, The Opticians, The Spot, Derby, offering sight testing and the scientific fitting of glasses

J. P Cutts, Sutton and Son, Optical Instrument Makers, 39 Division Street, c. 1858
Corner of Division Street and Rockingham Lane

Dollonds military spectacles advertisement, WW1
Advertisement for military spectacles, with specially constructed frames with large round eyes to give the best possible field of vision. Date: 1918

Military spectacles by Dollands, WW1
Specialist military spectacles with larger lenses and secure hooks, as supplied by Dollands of Oxford Street. The advertisement claims that many civilians are adopting the style due to its obvious

Eye test trial frame. A trial frame is used to determine an individuals lens prescription for a pair of glasses. Different lenses are inserted into the frame until the right ones or combination of

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Opticians have been a vital part of communities around the world for centuries, providing essential eye care and vision solutions. From Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough, Teesside to Boulevard Lalezar in Tehran, Iran, these professionals have catered to diverse populations with their expertise. In 1934, an intriguing advert for Curry & Paxton binoculars caught the attention of passersby on Linthorpe Road. This display showcased the optician's commitment to enhancing not only eyesight but also experiences. Across continents, on Kilindini Road in Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa, opticians played a crucial role in improving visual health. Their dedication was evident through advertisements like Thomas Harris Opticians' endorsement as providers to the Royal Family. During World War I in 1915 when German optimism prevailed amidst chaos and uncertainty, opticians continued their work diligently. They strived to bring clarity and comfort even during challenging times. F. I. Tovey Ophthalmic Optician's advertisement from Bath highlighted advancements in optical technology that aimed at transforming lives by offering improved vision solutions. Theodore Hamblin introduced fold-away spectacles in 1937 which revolutionized convenience for eyeglass wearers worldwide. This innovation made it easier than ever before to carry eyewear wherever one went. Moving into modern times, shopping precincts like those found in Exeter showcased how opticians adapted to changing consumer needs while staying true to their core mission of providing excellent eye care services. From bustling high streets captured beautifully by DP311688 photographs to Liscard shops along Wallasey Road where local communities relied on trusted opticians for all their visual needs - these locations became synonymous with quality eye care services throughout history. Even medical illustrations from Emile Littre's Dictionnaire de Medecine published back in 1884 depicted intricate eye surgeries performed by skilled ophthalmologists under the guidance of opticians.