William Blake's spectacles: M.9 & A-1948

Current Location: In storage

Titles

William Blake's spectacles

Maker(s)

Entities

Description

Steel frame with circular glass lenses

Steel frame with glass lenses. Circular lenses with arched bridge between, and sloping lugs at the side. The right lense is 3.25 DS (dioptre sphere) and the left lense 3.50 DS. The two hinged arms taper to terminate in circular face grips. With a pressed cardboard case (A) varnished dark brown on the outside, painted light green on the bezel and mid blue in the interior.

Notes

History note: William Blake; given by Mrs Blake to Samuel Palmer, father of A.H. Palmer. Acquired by Lt Col. W.E. Moss; sold at Sotheby's 2 March 1937, lot 283 with a letter of authentication from A.H. Palmer

Legal notes

Given by Lord Rothschild

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1948-06-03) by Rothschild, Lord

Dating

18th Century, Late-19th Century, Early#
After 1780 - Before 1827-08-12

Note

The DS (dioptre sphere) of the lenses indicates that the wearer could see well at near range but would require the spectacles for other purposes.

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Surface Of Case composed of varnish
Interior Of Case composed of paint
Case composed of cardboard Height 1.7 cm Length 12.8 cm Width 4.5 cm
Frame composed of steel
Lense composed of glass

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: small rectangular sheet of headed notepaper

Text: CARN TOWAN, SENNEN, S.O./CORNWALL./'These spectacles were once the property of William Blake; & were much valued by his friend and disciple Samuel Palmer./A.H. Palmer/March 1908
Location: In the object's file in Keeper's office
Method of creation: Address printed in black, inscription in blue-black ink
Type: Note