Kelley's Pince-Nez Story

The Renaissance previously put up two posts on Kelley, a pince-nez enthusiast from Idaho. She has a blog of her own called "Our North Idaho Life" which is quite aptly named. Kelley's pince-nez evolution mirrors my own as she shows that one must be determined to pince-nez. The problem: finding the right optician. Newcomers to this eyewear believe the difficulty lies in the mounting. Wrong. It is finding a competent and motivated optician.

Kelley found the right optician in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: Little Mo's Optical. She knew that she found the right place when she presented her pince-nez to the optician. The optician said "Oh, pinch nose. I have a pair that were my grandmothers." Kelley knew she was in the right place at that point.

The pince-nez shown are transition lenses with the classic size oval lens. It is a winning look and the Renaissance wishes Kelley much happiness with her new glasses.

Contemporary Pince-Nez Mountings?

Several Renaissance readers have written to us as they are reluctant to obtain an antique pince-nez mounting, even "new old stock" or one in near mint condition. These readers insist on a mounting which has been recently made. As we have stated many times, these pince-nez do not work for full-time wear and are not worthy of re-lensing. The reason is simple: these manufacturers have not bothered to investigate the reasons how and why the classic pince-nez were so successful and popular. Clearly, many manufacturers haven't even looked at old photos. This modern pince-nez has nothing slightly resembling the quality nose guards of the past. The frames pictured below are an abomination from a pince-nez perspective.


If you recall, there was a Renaissance post showing a page from a Sears catalog dated 1908. The price of a pince-nez was $1.25. One may believe that these pince-nez were cheap items from the past given the current value of $1.25. Please keep in mind that back in 1908 a highly skilled workman would make about $5 a week. These glasses were not cheap items.

On Lens Shape: A Reader's Poem

The Renaissance has some talented readers in its realm. We recently received a poem from Max, a reader in Russia. He contributed a wonderful short poem below on lenses for pince-nez.

It can be varied and even be square.
But if you're beginner we need be aware
That you've understood very simple inform
The best of pince-nez shape is just oval form.

Yes, oval lenses are universally the best choice. Stick with a proven winner. The Renaissance thanks Max for his thoughtful and well-crafted poem.