剧院双筒望远镜 - Betsy Ross-US-Export Modell - 1876 - 法国 - Colmont & Cie

presents a refined, historic and storied opera glass with lorgnette, from the famous Parisian optics manufacturer Colmont & Cie!
Gilded brass iris-nacre lorgnette with nacre wrap.
Extended dimensions approximately:
Height: 5.5 cm
Width: 9.5 cm
Depth: 4 cm

Lorgnette length: approximately 12 cm

Clear view and magnification are provided!
The lenses and oculars can be easily removed for cleaning and cleaned.
Focusing a little stiff.
A rarity for collectors and enthusiasts of the founding history of the USA!

The original engraving “Colmont Paris” is finely placed on the middle bridge and bottom center. A hexagonal star, with a C in the middle.

The opera glass is in a very good and well-kept original condition (see photos). Optics & mechanics: The lenses offer a clear view. The central focus wheel runs a bit stiff and sets the optics to precise sharp focus.
Materials: The nacre is excellently preserved, intact and shows no major cracks, chips or defects.
Seamless and perfect transitions—masterfully crafted! The fire-gilded brass has a minimal, authentic patina.
A dream object for collectors of historic optics, theater-goers or lovers of fine antiques!

A feature here is the lorgnette clad in iridescent nacre, whose end cap shows the 13 founding states of the United States of America.
Manufactured and dated to 1876—for the 100th anniversary!

The world-renowned Colmont & Cie manufactory exported a large portion of its high-end theater glasses overseas.
Opera glasses were in New York or Boston during the “Gilded Age” era (ca. 1870–1900) the ultimate status and fashion symbol for the wealthy upper class when visiting the Metropolitan Opera..
By placing the distinctive 13-star pattern (often inspired by historical US military buttons or patriotic seals) on the grip, they gave the opulent accessory a personal, exclusive note for the American buyer market.

Function of the end piece
The round, embossed plate on the grip (the lorgnette) serves two purposes at once:
The optical closure:
The grip: The relief of the embossed stars provided the thumb or fingers with extra non-slip grip when holding the glass during a long theater performance.
Part of the end cap was also used as a seal cap for sealing documents with wax!

The 13 founding states of the USA were the original British colonies on the East Coast, which declared their independence in 1776.
The 13 founding states at a glance
: Virginia New Hampshire Rhode Island Massachusetts Maryland Connecticut North Carolina South Carolina Delaware New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Georgia

The Betsy-Ross motif: The presence of the circular 13-star pattern confirms that this French optics piece was either imported through an American luxury department store (such as Tiffany & Co. or Jaccard's) or a US citizen commissioned this motif in France on his “Grand Tour.”
Anecdote about the motif:
According to family tradition that her grandson William Canby publicized in 1870 (almost 100 years later), the story went as follows:
In June 1776 George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross (a relative of her late husband) visited their workshop.
They showed him the draft for a new flag. It proposed square, six-point stars.
Betsy Ross allegedly convinced George Washington that five-pointed stars were easier to cut and looked visually better. She showed him with a single paper cut how to fold a perfect five-pointed star.
Due to the full nacre grip and the combination with gilding and the rare “Betsy Ross” end cap, the realistic market value of this piece is 400 to 450 euros.

Particularly interesting for the American market!

Colmont & Cie (often also referred to as Colmont et Cie Paris) was a renowned French optics firm founded in 1864 in Paris. The company gained international recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for its high-quality optical devices

Dear buyer!
All information has been provided to the best of knowledge and belief.
I generally strive for an exact and precise description.
My description is often based on historical research and thorough investigations!
If, against expectations, an item does not meet your expectations, please kindly provide feedback.
There is a mutual solution for everything!
With kind regards
Fred

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And track your purchase with the provided tracking number.
If you are not at the address during delivery, provide the carrier with a neighbor or an access point for delivery!
The costs for returns and re-sending are entirely at your expense! Please avoid this.

Please pay attention to correct address details!
And track your purchase with the provided tracking number.
If you are not at the address during delivery, provide the carrier with a neighbor or an access point for delivery!
The costs for returns and re-sending are entirely at your expense! Please avoid this.

Shipping is individual, depending on the country, with
UPS-DHL-EXPRESS!
No shipping to war zones!!!
Shipping costs also include packaging costs.
Double carton, bubble wrap, drainage and Styrofoam, if needed.
Recycled carton for the sake of the environment
Additional tape labeling: Caution Glass—Fragile!
To ensure a safe shipment, add an extra transport insurance for loss or damage!
Fast express shipping for quick receipt.
Please note this when placing a bid!
Thank you!