EXTREMELY Rare Antique Victorian "Pince-Nez" Style BI-FOCAL Eye Glasses 
DESCRIPTION: Scans show it all.....a complete pair of scarce "PINCE-NEZ" antique eye glasses, with both lenses intact. Pince-nez style are extremely rare, favored by a few celebrities during their short reign of popularitly, and the early BI-FOCALS are obviously, much, much scarcer than even those with normal clear lenses.
Any PINCE-NEZ glasses are scarce vs. normal antique glasses, and these are that much rarer. Pince-Nez style was especially popular among the upper and aristocratic classes, and were most popular from the end of the 1890's to about 1915 or so. They were only used for a limited time, and were pretty much replaced by the time of WWI.They have a nice Victorian look, and this is a nice pair to go with a related collection or for use with an early costume. 
Pince Nez TYPE WAS FAVORED BY SUCH FAMOUS PEOPLE AS PRESIDENTS TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND WOODROW WILSON, who were often photographed wearing them. They were made to be light, as they rested on the nose (with an uncomfortable spring to hold them on by pressure!), so they often did not have metal frames. This is the case with this pair, and lenses are in excellent condition. There is a small hole in the right lense to attach them to a string or necklace around their neck. When not being worn, they would hang from the "necklace" or strap around the neck. Thus the name Pince Nez or "pinched nose". THE STRAP WAS TO KEEP THEM HANDY AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM BREAKING IN THE EVENT THEY FELL OFF.  The bridge between the lenses is springy to provide the pressure to hold them on.
And again, these are particularly rare with the large bi-focal lenses on each side!!!
This is only the third pair of Nez Pince style glasses I have ever had, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PAIR WITH BI-FOCAL LENSES!!
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS!!!
Please see my auction list for other interesting items!!   
SHIPPING TERMS:
Buyer pays $6.00 postage.