Extraordinary collection of eyeglasses belonging to nine U.S. Presidents to be auctioned
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, November 8, 2024


Extraordinary collection of eyeglasses belonging to nine U.S. Presidents to be auctioned
Bidding for the Presidential Glasses Collection begins at $25,000.



LOS ANGELES, CA.- An incredible set of nine pairs of eyeglasses, which aided American Presidents’ vision while they governed the United States, will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on April 26, 2018.

Dr. Spencer E. Sherman, formerly associated with the Museum of Ophthalmology in San Francisco, now the Museum of Vision, collected the eyeglasses. Many former Presidents donated their glasses to the museum. Each pair of glasses is framed in its own presentation shadowbox.

Harry S. Truman’s iconic round eyeglasses were gifted to Dr. Sherman. Truman inscribed a photo, “To Dr. Spencer E. Sherman / From Harry S. Truman.” Truman wore glasses for the majority of his life.

Lyndon Johnson’s green Victory 6 USA bifocal eyeglasses are framed in a shadowbox displaying a photograph of LBJ wearing a similar or exact model. LBJ was the first president to wear contact lens.

Richard Nixon wore the reading glasses being auctioned on a five-week 1985 journey around the world. Nixon visited China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Pakistan, Turkey, and Great Britain. The reading glasses are framed with a January 13, 1994 letter from Nixon to Dr. Sherman regarding the ex-President’s voyages. The note was addressed from Nixon’s Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey office.

Gerald Ford wore his amber Terri Brogan eyeglasses for years. In an accompanying letter, Ford wrote Dr. Sherman in part, “I have used this pair for years, since I am a bit near-sighted. They have served me well...''

Jimmy Carter’s Foremost, U.S.A. browline eyeglasses were donated in 1992. The glasses have a thick plastic frame and diamond-shaped cartouches on the handles.

Ronald Reagan sent Dr. Sherman his Optics Mauritius reading glasses complemented with a letter. The 1994 letter reads in part, “…While my eyes have always been sharp...these days...my eyes need a little more help and I use these spectacles. Having been a voracious reader since I was a little boy, I simply couldn't allow this precious gift to be taken from me. / So with my trusty glasses a whole new, vivid world is opened up to me. They bring the pages of my books alive, a lovely softness to the face of my Nancy, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of a brilliant California day.''

Logo Paris designed George H.W. Bush’s glasses being auctioned. Bush included an 8” x 10” photo of himself holding the Logo Paris eyeglasses.

Bill Clinton donated his Italian-made Safilo Elasta eyeglasses, with a photo of Clinton at his Oval Office desk wearing the exact or similar glasses.

George W. Bush contributed his Saville eyeglasses to Dr. Sherman’s collection. The glasses are framed with a letter partially reading, “Whether at the White House or across the globe, I used these glasses while preparing speeches, reviewing briefings, and writing letters to constituents and world leaders. I also wore these glasses while reading mysteries, biographies, and other good books. I liked to begin each day by reading the Bible, and these glasses were a crucial part of that daily ritual...''

Manhattan-based optometrist Dr. Spencer Sherman is a known scholar in the field of ocular science and history, whose rare book and document archives formed the nucleus of the collection of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, from which these pieces are deaccessioned and consigned.

Bidding for the Presidential Glasses Collection begins at $25,000.










Today's News

April 24, 2018

Artemis Gallery's April 26 Antiquities Auction shines spotlight on two major collections

Iraq to rebuild iconic Mosul mosque destroyed in IS fight

Penn Museum opens new Middle East Galleries

Spain starts work to exhume bodies from Franco-era monument

Madonna loses bid to stop auction of intimate items

LACMA announces 10 new acquisitions during 32nd Annual Collectors Committee

Victoria & Albert Museum opens major fashion exhibition

Exhibition of new paintings by Elliott Puckette on view at Paul Kasmin Gallery

New book explores the Chester Beatty Library's 16th-century Ruzbihan Qur'an

Pair of paintings by Mary Elizabeth Price achieve a record $306,250 at Doyle

Nine mesmerizing oil and wax paintings by Djamel Tatah on view at Ben Brown Fine Arts

The long haul to restore Soviet model for collective living

Heritage Auctions' American Art Auction to offer 10 works by Norman Rockwell

Patek Philippe, Rolex collections expected to dazzle at Heritage Auctions

Lehigh names William Crow next Lehigh University Art Galleries Director

Christie's New York Spring Season of Prints & Multiples achieves a combined total $8,745,500

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago announces major $100K art prize

Extraordinary collection of eyeglasses belonging to nine U.S. Presidents to be auctioned

Art Cologne 2018 closes with excellent reviews and strong reported sales

Five women artists showcase new work at Hazelhurst Arts Centre

A&D Gallery exhibits candid images taken by Ben Katzler in a school in north western Uganda

Galerie Rodolphe Janssen opens exhibition of works by Ellen Berkenblit

Exhibition of new compositions by Karen Margolis on view at Garis & Hahn

V&A Illustration Awards 2018 shortlist announced

How Are Videogames Works of Art?




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful