18th Century Steel Cases. . . The first eyeglass cases were made of steel and quite a few examples have survived. Two style are usually found, the flip top and the clam shell. The flip top case dates between 1727 and 1760. In the 1750's, clam shell cases were introduced and continued to be made until the late 1790s. All cases of this era are hand made and vary in size because they were custom made for a specific pair of spectacle. Price range is $275 - $400 depending on condition and size. Rare examples with monagrams, dates, or other engravings are priced accordingly.

19th Century Metal Cases. . . Eyeglass cases made during the 1800's are made from tin or brass and therefore are much lighter than those of the previous century. Usually engraved or impressed decorations indicate a construction date around 1830 - 1870. Nickel plated copper was popular in the early 1800s. Most cases from this period will show more copper than plating. A company named Parker produced many steel cases from the 1850 - 1880. Parker cases that date before the Civil War are very popular with Civil War reenactors. Price range is $65 - $150.

19th Century Paper Cases . . . Most eyeglass cases used during the 1800 were made from pressed paper. Very few have survived in exellent condition. Most show signs of much use. Long paper cases with an open top were very common from 1850 - 1870. Many Civil War collectors search for this style. Price range is $25 - $85 depending entirely on condition.

Late 19th Century Paper Cases . . . In 1885 the riding temple spectacle was introduced. This temple are curved behind the ear and was designed to hold spectacles in place while riding horses or doing other activities. These spectacles had a newer bulkier shape then those made before this period. They required a short wide case. Most cases from this era are pressed paper. They were made from 1885 to the first World War. Price range is $25 - $65 depending on condition.

Pince-Nez Cases . . . The Pince-Nez style of eyeglasses was popular from the 1870's into the 1930s. Cases made before World War I tend to be leather or pressed paper. Very few have survived. Cases made from around 1915 through the late 1930s are snap shut steel cases covered with real leather or, most often leatherett. Price range of pince-nez cases is $25 - $65 depending on condition. A few gold and sterling pince-nez cases were made. When found such cases tend to be priced between $300 - $500.

Cases, 1920 - 1950 . . . Snap shut steel cases covered with leather or leatherett were used extensively from 1920 to 1960. Many of these cases have survived. Most show signs of some use. They went out of style with the introduction of the much larger plastic eyeglass frames in the late 1950s. Price range $10 -$50 depending on condition.

Cases 1960s . . . Cases from the 60's are usually the slide in sleeve or the leather pocket with a clip to hold the case inside a sport jacket pocket. Some hard snap shut cases were produced. Most cases from the 60's were not very durable. Price range $10 - $40 depending on condition.

Shagreen Chinese Cases . . . From the mid 1700 till the mid 1800s the Chinese produced a wonderful wooden case covered with shagreen. Shagreen is the hide of a shark or ray. These cases are sometimes mounted with brass or copper. A few cases are mounted with silver or gold. Usually Chinese cases still contain their original spectacles and are sold together. From time to time I discover a shagreen Chinese case with no glasses. Please contact me by e-mail for availability and price.