Thursday, February 11, 2010

Vintage Thursday Thingie: Opera Glasses

My mother-in-law loved to go to the theater, concerts and the opera. When you're laying out a quilt, do you know the trick of using binoculars backwards as reducing glasses so that you can see the whole quilt laid out as if you were standing far away from it? Years ago, my dear MIL saw me doing that, using my kids' plastic play binoculars...on her next visit she gave me these beautiful opera glasses in their pigskin case.

When she passed away, we got these wonderful late 1950s/early 60s cat eyes collapsible glasses with some of her other things. Aren't they just the best! Look at those rhinestones (or maybe glass!).

I can just see her sitting in her seat and raising this fashionable lornette to her eyes to just magnify the scene on stage a bit...was she checking out the costumes?


BTW, I just found a very similar pair on sale at Ruby Lane :)

More vintage treasures await you at Coloradolady-check it out.



22 comments:

Ulla said...

I can imagine her wearing gloves as well! Beautiful treasures.

Unknown said...

These are awesome! I love that idea about the binoculars when working on a project. It would work for decorating, too.

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh Miri - - - that lornette is just fabulous!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love the little cat eye glasses - how cool!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Postcardy said...

I have never seen anything like that lornette. I looks so cool.

SuKnitWitty said...

How lucky you are to have those wonderful opera glasses...the cat eyes are amazing. I've often used binoculars for viewing quilts in progress and also to study fabrics coordinates. Your pillow is beautiful and so very well done. I've posted on Vintage Quilt tops for VTT...hope you'll have a chance to stop by...Sue

concretenprimroses said...

Love the cool opera glasses. And the binoculars are great. I appreciate the idea of using them backwards to see something in toto. I always like looking through them backwards as a child, but a practical application didn't occur to me.
Kathy

Paulette said...

I did not know the backwards binoculars trick! I will definitely try it out. I found a pair of glasses just like those but in black at a flea market this past year. I gave them to my sister to use to read the menus when we go out to eat. What a hoot!

Maureen said...

How sweeeeet!

LV said...

Those are some of the nicest vintage things. You are very fortunate to have received these. I never knew to use binoculars that way.

Micki said...

The opera glasses are so special. You have a real treasure there.
Micki

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

How very unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Blessings, Grace

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful treasures and that neat trick! Warm hugs, Esther

Tammy said...

Those fancy opera glasses are lovely. I bet she was all dressed up and looking really spiffy at the theatre.

Coloradolady said...

These are amazing...and wow...learned something new today, would have never thought about using binoculars to see a quilt....great idea really....thanks for the tip! Happy VTT!

Bea said...

I have always loved cat eye anything. Your lornette is wonderful. And thanks for the quilting tip!

Kim, USA said...

Oh wow I could imagine myself seating at the opera with my beautiful gloves and gown and that beautiful piece. Now I am imagining ^_^

VTT~ Old horns

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Wow! They are beautiful. Love the cat's eyes.

Serendipity Handmade + Vintage said...

Those are FABULOUS! My opera glasses are turn-of-the-century and I love them, but yours are BETTER!

CC said...

Hmmm,I've never heard about the backward binoculars..but how great is that?????????? I mean,who knew.That trick I will be sure to remember..I love it. Happy VTT.. have a lovely weekend.

eilandkind/islandchild said...

I think she was checking out the male Opera singers! ;)
lovely items, thanks for sharing.

Troy said...

My sister used to wear glasses just like that,Complete with rhinestones, sometime around 1970 +/- a year or two.

We take out the pictures from time to time and remind her how 'dazzling' she looked.

Heirloom treasures are fun, but they are even more fun when we can use them.