Theatre binoculars - Betsy Ross-US-Export Modell - 1876 - France -

Presented is a refined, historic and storied opera glass with lorgnette, from the famous Parisian optical manufactory Colmont & Cie! Fire-gilded brass iridescent mother-of-pearl lorgnette with mother-of-pearl surround. Extended dimensions approx: Height: 5.5 cm Width: 9.5 cm Depth: 4 cm Lorgnette length: approx. 12 cm Clear view and magnification are given! The lenses and oculars can be easily removed for cleaning. Focusing a little stiff. A rarity for collectors and connoisseurs of the founding history of the USA! The original engraving “Colmont Paris” is finely placed on the middle bridge and the bottom center. A hexagonal star, with the C in its center. The opera glass is in a very good and well-kept original condition (see photos). Optics & mechanics: The lenses offer a clear view. The central focusing wheel runs a little stiff and renders the optics precisely sharp. Materials: The mother-of-pearl is excellently preserved, intact and shows no major cracks, chips or defects. Seamless and perfect transitions—masterfully crafted! The fire-gilded brass shows a minimal, authentic patina. A dream object for collectors of historical optics, theater-goers or lovers of noble antiques! A special feature here is the lorgnette clad in iridescent mother-of-pearl, whose end cap shows the 13 founding states of the United States of America. Manufactured and dated to 1876—for the centennial! The world-renowned manufactory Colmont & Cie exported a large portion of its high-end theater glasses overseas. Opera glasses were the ultimate status and fashion symbol for the wealthy upper class in New York or Boston during the “Gilded Age” (circa 1870–1900) when visiting the Metropolitan Opera.. By placing the distinctive 13-star pattern (often inspired by historical US military buttons or patriotic seals) on the grip, they lent the opulent accessory a personal, exclusive note for the American customer base. Function of the end piece The round, embossed plate on the grip (the lorgnette) serves two purposes: The optical finish: The grip: The relief of the embossed stars provided the thumb or fingers with extra grip grip while holding the glass during a long theater performance. Part of the time the end cap was also used as a seal, with wax, for documents! The 13 founding states of the USA were the original British colonies on the East Coast, which declared their independence in 1776. The 13 founding states at a glance : Virginia New Hampshire Rhode Island Massachusetts Maryland Connecticut North Carolina South Carolina Delaware New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Georgia The Betsy-Ross motif: The circular 13-star pattern being present confirms that this French optics either was imported via an American luxury department store (such as Tiffany & Co. or Jaccard’s) or a US citizen commissioned this motif in France on his Grand Tour. Anecdote about the motif: According to the family tale, told to the public by her grandson William Canby in 1870 (almost a century later), the story went as follows: In June 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross (a relative of her late husband) visited their workshop. They showed her the design for a new flag. It envisioned square, six-point stars. Betsy Ross is said to have convinced George Washington that five-pointed stars were easier to cut and looked visually better. She demonstrated with a single cut how to fold a perfect five-pointed star. Due to the full-surface mother-of-pearl grip and the combination with gilding as well as the rare “Betsy Ross” end cap, the realistic market value of this piece is 400 to 450 euros. Especially interesting for the American market! Colmont & Cie (often referred to as Colmont et Cie Paris) was a renowned French optics firm founded in 1864 in Paris. The company gained international fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for its high-quality optical devices Esteemed buyers! All information has been provided to the best of my knowledge and belief. I generally strive for an exact and precise description. My description often rests on historical research and intensive investigations! If, contrary to expectations, an item does not meet your expectations, I kindly ask for feedback. There is always a mutual solution for everything! With kind regards Fred FROM A CURRENT OCCASION! PLEASE BID ONLY IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY! YOU ARE ONLY HARMING YOURSELF, OTHER INTERESTS AND ALSO ME! PLEASE FIND A RESPONSIBLE HOBBY! Please ensure correct address details! And track your purchase with the provided tracking number. If you are not at home on delivery, provide the carrier with a neighbor or an access point for delivery! Costs for returns and reshipment are entirely at your expense! Please avoid this. Please ensure correct address details! And track your purchase with the provided tracking number. If you are not at home on delivery, provide the carrier with a neighbor or an access point for delivery! Costs for returns and reshipment are entirely at your expense! Please avoid this. Shipping is individual, depending on country, with UPS-DHL-EXPRESS! No shipping to war zones!!! Costs also include packaging costs. Double carton, bubble wrap, drainage and Styrofoam, if needed. Recycled cartons, for the sake of the environment Additional tape labeling: Fragile Glass! To enable safe shipping. Additional transport insurance, against loss or damage! Fast express shipping, for rapid receipt. Please note this when placing a bid! Thank you!}

Stima:€220

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