Spectacles have been used since the thirteenth century, at first by the few people who needed to read, such as churchmen and clerks. This book traces the development and use of eyeglasses from the fourteenth century onwards. In the eighteenth century lorgnettes and quizzing glasses became elegant accessories of upper-class dress and fashion began to influence design. This new edition is illustrated with many new colour photographs.

Illustrated by: Ronald J.S. MacGregor