344: 19THC.ENGRAVED ALUMINUM BLACK ENAMEL OPERA GLASSES

Ornate opera glasses on long handle, the optics displayed elaborate hand engraved aluminum with black enamel detail. until the late 1880s Aluminum was considered a precious metal and was sold by the troy ounce. It was discovered by Karl Bayer that aluminum oxide could be made very cheaply from bauxite which drove the price down to 20 cents per pound by the 1920s. Measure 6.25 x 4.5 inches. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell.
Nice clear optics, and focusing wheel fully functional. Some enamel losses and a light dent on the rim of one lens. Very good overall.
$100 - $200