Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

[turfwriter]

Has anyone ever come across any CW-era spectacles cases (or evidence of same) that were made of fabric/cloth?

Just curious, as all I've ever come across were the narrow cases made of metal, wood or gutta percha -- also paper.

Laurel Scott
Union Bridge, MD

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

I've found several that were lined in cloth (wool, flannel, and cotton), but none made entirely of cloth. I would be interested to see or hear of anything like that.

[calico_outlaw]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

Somewhere I have a pattern for spectacle cases made of cloth covered paste board. They were made as souviners for fairs and such. I'll look for it and post the instructions.

[calico_outlaw]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

Some other cases.


June, 1862
Godey's Lady's Book
SPECTACLE CASE>> ON FINE CANVAS IN BERLIN WOOL.
A LITTLE article suitable for a token of friendship from the young to the old, easily worked, find pretty when completed. A fine canvas is required, and the light shades used in the pattern should be in floss silk. The ground is in crimson, and the pattern is worked in black, blues, and grays. The little border round has a black ground, the pattern being in alternate reds, blues, and whites. The colors should not be chosen for the gaiety of their contrasts, as it is the neatness of the work, and the suitability of style in the pattern, which render the article, when completed, appropriate for the purpose for which it is intended. The two sides must be lined with silk, an inner lining of flannel being first inserted; they must then be sewed together, leaving one end open to admit the << spectacles>> , after which the stitches must be hid by a very small black silk cord, sewed on all round, and at the opening, on both sides of each half.

August, 1849
Godey's Lady's Book
SCAGLIOLA WORK &#150 << SPECTACLE CASE>> .
Take a piece of card board, of the desired size and shape; cover this with good cream-colored drawing paper. Upon this draw the design with a pencil; trace over the pencil marks with Indian ink and a fine quill; then fill in the ground with Indian ink and a camel's hair brush. After two or three days, varnish with the best picture varnish. If preferred, this design may be worked in embroidery stitch, either with silk or gold thread&#151the material leather, or green velvet. Stiffen with card board, and line with white velvet.

March, 1861
Godey's Lady's Book
THIS little article is to be worked on fine silk canvas with floss silks in tent-stitch. This will prevent the necessity of filling in the ground, and it also leaves the design more distinct when it is worked. The centre cross is in three colors, the little star in the middle is four white stitches with one gray in the centre. Round it there are eight stitches in rich dark crimson; the four straight lines in the middle of the cross are in lighter crimson; round these four lines the cross is enlarged by two rows of bright blue stitches, in two shades. The six little stars around are in two shades of crimson. The remainder of the scroll pattern round the cross is in grays, shaded with black, the lightest parts being worked in white. The little pattern which is carries round the edge is in alternate blue and scarlet, with the rows nearest the edge in black. This will be found, when worked, a pretty effective arrangement of colors. When the two sides are completed, they must be lined with crimson silk, and joined together afterwards. The stitches are to be hid with a row of small beads, either white, steel, or gold. The << case>> is closed at the bottom and left open at the top.

[turfwriter]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

Very interesting indeed -- many thanks! :)

By the way, please forgive my ignorance, but are they referring strictly to embroidery rather than needlepoint?

Laurel Scott
141st PA Vols.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

By the way, please forgive my ignorance, but are they referring strictly to embroidery rather than needlepoint?

I'd say that the first and third one are Berlin-work (needlepoint), due to the mention of canvas and Berlin wool or tent stitch. The middle one sounds more like embroidery.

It's probably no coincidence, since the first and third ones are in the era when Berlin work was taking off in popularity, while the middle one was a little earlier. Here's an image of period Berlin work on a slipper top, done on canvas:

http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/infocus/fox.html

And a page with a general overview on Berlin work and embroidery in the 19th century:

http://www.white-works.com/needlepoint.htm

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[turfwriter]

Re: Period Spectacles Cases -- in cloth?

Thanks, Hank.

Yes, the allusions to canvas and wool were what make me think (hope?) it was needlepoint ... finally, something I can do! (Or at least, something I once knew how to do. Must take it up again!) :)

Laurel Scott
141st PA Vols.