Mid-19th Century Cinder Goggles / SOLD

Early railroad cars did not have windows and some passengers were lucky to have a cover overhead. Smoke and debris flew into their faces and eyes. Flying cinders caused more than a few clothing fires as well. As railways expanded in the 1840s, there was a growing eyewear trend toward mass-produced cinder glasses. Initially only engineers wore them. Later, they filtered back to the various classes of passenger cars. They were sometimes worn as sunglasses, and several photographs exist of Civil War soldiers wearing them. Unlike most pairs that are held together with string, this pair has traditional glasses frames and come in their original leather case. A scarce example.

Inventory Number: PER 365 / SOLD