Theatre binoculars - Historismus - 1850-1900 - Germany - Alois Rodenstock

Showcased is an opera glass inlaid with mother-of-pearl, brass-gilded, from the house of the famous German optician dynasty Rodenstock! Here by Alois Rodenstock-Dresden-Schlossstraße. The theatre glass bears the signature on both ocular shells. It is in excellent condition—made at the end of the 19th century. No chipping on the mother-of-pearl. A particularly rare Abalone mother-of-pearl was used—brightly iridescent in various tones. Minimal patina on the gilding. The focusing is a little stiff but functional. Clear and sharp visibility! No fungus. A tiny dent on the lower metal rings—no impact on functionality. Black paint somewhat worn. Dimensions extended: approximately: Height: 7 cm, Width 10 cm, Depth 4 cm.

The Optical Institute A. Rodenstock in Dresden historically was located at Schlossstraße at the corner of Rosmaringasse (at times Schlossstraße 20). Historical location details: Schlossstraße / corner Rosmaringasse in Dresden. Activity: The shop and optical institute offered glasses, optical devices, and advertising displays (such as stereoscopes) in the late 19th and early 20th century. Background: It was a branch or historic site in the expansion of the optician and family activities of Rodenstock (including references to Aloys/Alois Rodenstock). In Dresden, a separate branch of the family around the optician Alois (also Aloys) Rodenstock established itself. The company was officially listed in the Dresden commercial register as “A. Rodenstock, Dresden.”

Inventive spirit: Just like the Munich relatives, the Dresden branch also filed patents. For example, Aloys Rodenstock patented in 1905 a novel “attachment of rimless eyeglass lenses with the frame parts of clamps” and other everyday inventions such as suction bodies for humidifiers (1902). Family business: The Dresden shop remained in family hands for generations. Among the registered owners and successors in the historical records of the Saxon State Archive were, among others, Martha Elisabeth, Alexander Robert, Wolfram Gerhard, and Günther Rodenstock.

Historical products of the era
The Schlossstraße shop offered far more than just classic eyewear. At the turn of the century (1900), the optical industry boomed, and businesses like A. Rodenstock served both medical and entertainment markets:
Stereoscopes & advertising viewers: These were extremely popular optical devices that let you view two slightly offset photographs to create a three-dimensional (spatial) effect. They were collected for private use or used by companies for advertising.
Opera glasses and theatre glasses: Dresden, a cultural and residence city with the famous Semper Opera, provided the perfect market for richly decorated opera glasses (often made of ivory, mother-of-pearl, or enamel).
Binoculars and prism lenses: For outdoor use, hunting, or the military, handy, precise binoculars were manufactured, valued for their lens sharpness.

This beautiful specimen is sure to appeal to many collectors and enthusiasts.

Dear buyers!
All information is given to the best of my knowledge and belief. I strive for accurate and precise description in principle. My description is often based on historical research and thorough investigations!
If, against all expectations, an item does not meet your expectations, I kindly ask for your feedback. There is a mutually agreeable solution for everything!
With best regards,

Fred

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