Early American Spectacle Makers and Marks

Although there were a few spectacle frames made by eighteenth century American silversmiths, craftsmen in the United States did not start manufacturing spectacle frames until the early nineteenth century. During the Napoleonic Wars,  England and France each issued blockade orders against each other's ports. American ships and sailors were seized as a result. Enacted largely because of the seizure of American ships at sea, the Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited foreign commerce by our merchant fleet. This act was replaced by another in 1809 that continued to limit trade with Britain and France. The War of 1812 with England further disrupted American foreign trade, and gave impetus to American craftsmen to manufacture gold and silver spectacle frames in quantity. During the first half of the nineteenth century numerous American makers and retailers placed their marks on silver and gold spectacle frames made in this country.

Marking of Thomas Pons, Boston, Massachusetts

Marking of John McAllister, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thomas Pons (b. May 16, 1757) had by 1806 advertised himself as an importer of spectacles. By 1807, the Boston city directory listed him as a "spectacle manufacturer". In the March 28, 1810 edition of The Massachusetts Spy he declared his intention "to pay all his attention to making spectacles of every kind" and offered to lease or sell his other business holdings. This is the earliest known American spectacle maker marking. John McAllister (b. 1753, Glasgow, Scotland), a whip and cane maker, started into the spectacle business when he purchased the stock of Philadelphia optical instrument maker William Richardson in 1799. Spectacles became his main business, and starting in 1815 his shop began making silver and gold frames. The marking shown above is believed to be the earliest used by him - many other marks are known. The McAllister family continued as the country's largest spectacle manufacturer until the 1860's.

Marking of Elisha Dwelle, Boston, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio

John Anderson, Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City
Elisha Dwelle worked as an optical instrument manufacturer in Boston beginning about 1821. By 1830, he had relocated to Cincinnati, and operated his own optical shop there by 1831. The marking shown is from a silver spectacle frame with circular lenses. John Anderson advertised his whip, cane and spectacle shop in Baltimore newspapers as early as 1805. By 1813, the Philadelphia city directory listed him as a "spectacle frame maker". He had relocated to New York City by 1816, and was succeeded by James Deamer in 1820. The marking above is the only one positively identified as used by Anderson.  
The above information is based on the research of Ocular Heritage Society member Alan McBrayer. He is also the Webmaster of the Ocular Heritage Society site, and invites your comments. He can be reached at mcbraar@aol.com.

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