Mad House Oldies

Description

Antique Negretti & Zambra dark mother of pearl opera glasses.

These are THE BEST opera glasses we have ever seen. They are made by Negretti and Zambra London one of the best and most highly acclaimed makers of their time.
Negretti and Zambra was a company that produced scientific (philosophical) and optical instruments and also operated a photographic studio based in London, England. Henry Negretti (1818–1879) and Joseph Zambra (1822–1897) formed a partnership in 1850, thereby founding the firm which would eventually be appointed opticians and scientific instrument makers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and King Edward VII, the Royal Observatory and the British Admiralty.
The opera glasses are in beautiful condition and the attention to detail on them is stunning.
The winder moves freely and pushes the lenses in and out as it should, it is also finished with mother of pearl, as is the screw cover at the top.
The optics are working as they should and the view through them is crisp. The top of the lenses are also finished in mother of pearl, the left lens is stamped "Negretti & Zambra Adjusted In" and the right lens is stamped "Opticians London".
They come with their original detachable handle in lovely condition, the handle works as it should and the mechanism is still tight. The handle and it's base are both beautifully finished in matching mother of pearl.
They come with a top quality leather case in fantastic condition made by Drew and Sons.
Drew and Sons sold 'superior' leather goods to aristocracy from their premises at 33 Piccadilly, London, from the 1880's up to 1914.

These opera glasses would be the pièce de résistance of any collection.

They measure:
6cm high closed
7.5cm high extended
9.5cm long at the base
9cm long at the top
3.5cm wide.