Coin silver eyeglass maker?

[bubba]

Marked "Kern" on each earpiece of these coin silver eyeglasses.
Does anyone know where and or who this maker was?
Many thanks in advance for any assist.

[dognose]

Hi Bubba,

I don't know if the same protocol was followed in America, but in England at this period, it was usually the optician's name that was applied to the outside of the arm, with the spectaclemaker's mark struck on the inside of the arm. It may have been different in America, but if you do not find a suitable match for the mark, then researching retail opticians, rather than silversmith opticians, may provide an answer.

Regards Trev.

[silverly]

There was a Jacob Kern who was born in Bavaria in about 1828. He is listed in the 1860 Terre Haute, Indiana census as a jeweler and is listed in later Terre Haute, Indiana directories as a jeweler who also sold spectacles. The style of your glasses may not fit Jacob Kern's time in business, but I see him as a slight possibility. Jerome Redfearn's book Indiana Silversmiths, Clock Makers and Watchmakers, 1779-1900 Americana Publications, copyright 1984 may show Kern's mark.

[bubba]

Thanks for the input silverly,
These glasses appear to date 1st quarter of 19th century, maybe a little into the 2nd quarter so the dates of Jacob Kern would make him too late for any potential as the maker.

Trev,
Most maker marks found on sliding temple coin and gold in this country are on the inside but I have found no mention of any of that period with makers marks so I do not know what the protocall for retailers marks would be.

The background of the marking shows horizontal lines. This is not usual on American marks. It might be a clue to country of origin. Also, Dr Rosenthal's, "Spectacles & Other Vision Aids", Norman Publishing lists Kern as a maker in the authors collection but without further information. He indicates probable American origin.