Vintage Sunglasses

[FRASER_NASH]

ANY idea where I could get them?

 

[tonyb]

For a buck ninety-nine at a local Goodwill store ...

I'm guessing they're '60s vintage. Very well made by American Optical. They're now my wife's.

 

[cherry lips]

 

[OldSoul]

Got another set of Wayfarer's at a local thrift yesterday, a little beat but they were a good price so I'm not to worried.

They are a little odd though, and I'm wondering how old they are. They have B&L 5024 on the inside above the right-eye lens, and have both the usual WAYFARER on the left arm and B&L Ray-Ban USA on the right. The odd thing is that they do not say Ray-Ban on the outside of the arms, instead they just have the gold 'rivet' like on the front. Anyone know how, or where, one could procure an accurate date on them? They also feel lighter than my other vintage pair (circa late 60's/early 70's).

 

[Lonny]

I know some Wayfarers don't have the Rayban logo on the outside of the arms and have that small oval like on the front of the rims, I had a pair like that in tortoise, I forget what year they are from but they were genuine and they were pretty sweet!

 

[OldSoul]

I took some photos of my pair or 'farers. Please keep in mind that I am not a very good photographer

The black set are the ones I picked up on the weekend, the blue set I picked up last fall.

-Graham

 

[randooch]

Oldsoul: Maybe Rayban's website has a "contact us" option. Someone at the company should be able to help you date yours.

Anyone hear of Calobar Brand glasses? Just won these on Goodwill's auction site. They look nice, but maybe the $42 price tag is too high? I have no idea. Enlightenment welcome!

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?itemid=7531879

 

[OldSoul]

Oldsoul: Maybe Rayban's website has a "contact us" option. Someone at the company should be able to help you date yours.

Hmm, good idea I should try that. Thanks!

 

[randooch]

Calobar Sunglasses-- Answered my own question with a Google search. Fascinating high-tech talk!

http://www.dickwhitney.net/LaMarreReedArticleOnCalobarSunlenses.pdf

 

[RBH]

I just got these in off the bay.
They are in fantastic shape.

 

[Dinerman]

Decent pics of the two I generally rotate between.

Unknown brand

American Optical

 

[Zemke Fan]

Nice features of the 'flip up' sun visor on the glasses. Found in a junk shop.

Love the glasses. Model needs a shave and a lesson in *non-dopey* grins!

 

[Pompidou]

These finally came in the mail from that German company on eBay others have talked about. 20s, celluloid, French - that's all I know. They look cool and go with my hat. Never seen anyone with anything similar, and that's what counts most.

 

[cookie]

These finally came in the mail from that German company on eBay others have talked about. 20s, celluloid, French - that's all I know. They look cool and go with my hat. Never seen anyone with anything similar, and that's what counts most.

I asked him about fitting lenses to celluloid and he advised not to go to acetate (modern plastic).

 

[scottyrocks]

These finally came in the mail from that German company on eBay others have talked about. 20s, celluloid, French - that's all I know. They look cool and go with my hat. Never seen anyone with anything similar, and that's what counts most.

I had a pair like that many years ago. I do remember that they were comfortable.

 

[Pompidou]

I had a pair like that many years ago. I do remember that they were comfortable.

They are. They're light as a feather and don't leave pock marks on my nose. I got my first comments on them yesterday and was told, "You look like a mad scientist with those on!" I couldn't ask for a better compliment.

 

[Blooze]

I have a question for all of you sunglass experts. I have very light sensitive eyes due to many surgeries thru the years and have a very hard time finding any lenses that are dark enough. I wouldn't mind finding a pair of vintage frames I like and then have lenses put in, but have no idea how dark you can go with them. For reference, I haven't found a modern pair of sunglasses yet, except glacier glasses, that are dark enough for me. I have to have my wife drive me to work most mornings now because the morning light is too much for me to keep my eyes open, but by noon it's much better. Any suggestions?

 

[scottyrocks]

They are by no means vintage, but I found glasses at Home Depot that are amazing in the brightest conditions. They are sold as outdoor work/safety glasses and look like ski glasses. The lenses, from the front, have sort of a purple/green/blue reflective hue.

Although close, these are not exactly what I have because the styles change every so often, but they're close:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

The best thing to do is to go in and check them out. When I put them on I couldn't believe how well they cut the brightness and glare while still keeping everything sharp enough to see clearly. And they wrap around so light doesnt leak in from the sides. HD has other models of outdoor safety glasses that might suit your needs if you dont like those particular DeWalts.

Another option for you are 'Blue Blockers.' They have orange-colored lenses that, from initial examination, dont look like theyd do anything effective, but when you put them on you see how they, like the Dewalts above, eliminate glare without losing any sharpness. I wear my BB's when its foggy and I can see better than without them.

 

[Freightpilot]

If this has been posted here I apologize (I havent made it through the whole thread yet)
I have ordered glasses from these people for over 30 years with good luck. I have been wearing Ray Ban outdoorsman (aviator with a brow bar) with prescription lenses since the late 70's and they have always had a good supply of Ray Ban parts and frames. They have always been easy to work with and have always been willing to make up whatever I need. Sometimes hard to get hold of them on the phone but they have always been willing to take the time to answer all my questions when I do.

http://www.hidalgos.com/

 

[scotrace]

My favorite pair. Amazing vintage. $5 at a flea market. PERFECT. Looked for years for such sunglasses. CRUSHED over the weekend.