Books

The Club is able to offer members the opportunity to purchase copies of articles, collections and antique commercial catalogues. See below after Books for more information.

The Atlas of ophthalmoscopes: Non-electrical or reflecting ophthalmoscopes

The latest book by by two well known members, Richard Keeler and Ian McAllister, this richly illustrated historical and technical reference explores over 400 non-electrical or reflecting ophthalmoscopes, tracing their development from Helmholtz’s groundbreaking invention in 1851 through to the dawn of the electric era.

Blending meticulous scholarship with high-quality images from private and institutional collections worldwide, this volume offers unparalleled insight into the ingenuity and craftsmanship that shaped 19th and early 20th century diagnostic tools. Detailed entries by country, an index of named ophthalmoscopes, and comprehensive coverage of design innovations provide a valuable resource for medical historians, ophthalmologists, museum curators, and collectors alike. An essential reference book for anyone interested in ophthalmics.

Part of the Wayenborgh series of publication, available from the publishers, Kugler Publications: https://kugler.pub

Discover more about the book at https://eyemuseum.ranzco.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Atlas-of-Ophthalmoscopes.pdf

An Atlas of Antique Kaleidoscopic Treasures, James Vendeland M.D.

Jim Vendeland is a long-standing member of the OAICC and a retired ophthalmologist living in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, with a passion for collecting antique kaleidoscopes and ophthalmoscopes. This 139 page, hard cover coffee table size book contains images of his extensive private collection of 19th century kaleidoscopes.

Released in April 2025 and available on Amazon, Ingram, BookBaby and other sites. The price is $60. For more order information from Amazon.com etc, google the book title: An Atlas of Antique Kaleidoscopic Treasures.

Below is from the face jacket of the book:

The Atlas you see before you is one of a kind. I know of no other book dedicated exclusively to displaying the beauty of antique 19th century kaleidoscopes. And what is it that has attracted me (and hopefully you) to these antique wonders? There are many fine artists alive today who create kaleidoscopes of great beauty. But I have been drawn to the 19th century and the inception of these instruments. This attraction and appreciation goes far beyond what I experienced as a child when I was exposed to a toy kaleidoscope. I held it in my hands, looked through it, shortly lost interest, and went on to the next toy.
As an adult I can appreciate the efforts of skilled craftsman such as Sir David Brewster and Charles Bush; who were able to create these beautiful instruments that make you clamor for more.
This is a book about antique instruments. Almost all were created prior to 1900. I have arbitrarily divided the book into sections highlighting the creations of Brewster and Bush. Additionally, there is a portion about early toy kaleidoscopes. Most are not in the best condition having been ravaged by the passage of time, cheap materials, and poor care by their owners. Their chances of surviving intact were very remote.
I have also included a section of kaleidoscopic anomalies such as the Gorham kaleidoscopic color top and an Edwardian kaleidoscope in a box! These anomalies are distant relatives of the kaleidoscopes with which we are familiar.
A section on the amalgamation of the kaleidoscope and the magic lantern projector is also included. This joining of the kaleidoscope and magic lantern projector evolved prior to the advent of the motion picture industry.
And finally, I thought a trivia quiz with answers should be included in this book. Its purpose is to whet the reader’s appetite for seeking out more information on kaleidoscopes and perhaps to even acquire one or two of them.
For me, the creation of this Atlas has been a most enjoyable journey and a labor of love. I do hope that after reviewing this book, you the reader will also share the pleasure of these instruments as I have.

From Spectacle-Making Trade to Scholarly Profession

A History of Optometry in the United States

David A. Goss, OD, PhD

Paperback, 366 pages, 6″ x 9″

From Spectacle-Making Trade to Scholarly Profession takes a look at the long span of optometry history, with a primary focus on the United States: examining its path from spectacle making to its current status as a profession with strong academic standing integrated into today’s health care system. Along with an overview of the history of optometry from the invention of spectacles to recent years, the book considers the maturation of the optometric examination from simple trial and error of spectacles to today’s comprehensive eye and vision examination; the history of optometric education from the brief instructional programs offered in the late nineteenth century to the challenging academic programs of the present; and the increasing sophistication of optometric publications. Optometrists and other readers will gain an appreciation for the struggles, advancements, and contributions of optometry.

More details and how to order can be found at Pacific University Libraries click here

Publication by Ulrich (Uli) Zeun – A teacher for the visually impaired and long time collector with his own website on prism monoculars: www.monocular.info

Monoculars – Developments and Models Yesterday and Today (German/English), Shaker Media, Aachen, 2013, ISBN 978-3-95631-073-7; www.shaker-media.eu – information: https://www.monocular.info/monobuch.htm

Monocular Training – A Manual about Using Monoculars as an Aid for Persons with Low Vision (German/English 194 p. book with data disk, 2^nd ed.), edition bentheim, Wuerzburg, 2023, ISBN 978-3-948837-15-0 – information: https://www.monocular.info/buch2023.htm

Die Fernrohr-Fuchs-Geschichten (Illustrated adventures of the Telescope-Fox and his friends, using his monocular and other optical aids) (German, 96 p. with poster for training; English text without pictures in the Monocular-Training book on disk), edition bentheim, Wuerzburg, 2024, ISBN 978-3-948837-25-9
– information (also English): www.monocular.info/fernrohrfuchsgeschichten.htm

Bildschirmlesegeräte-Schulung – Eine Handreichung zur Handhabung von Bildschirmlesegeräten und elektronischen Lupen (German, 240 p.), 2025, Spiralbindung, 240 S. with data disk), edition bentheim, Wuerzburg, 2025, ISBN 978-3-948837-37-2

These 3 books publ. at edition bentheim:
www.edition-bentheim.de/de/sys/search/!/result/?searchstr=zeun

Monocular Mac – Picture and Story Book about a Boy and his Monocular (by Anne L. Corn; German translation by U. Zeun, 40p.), self-publishing – information: www.monocular.info/monocularmac.htm – German version, order for free – only postage costs – through info@bfs-nrw-ev.de (www.sehbehinderung.de/index.php?menuid=60); English version free download: www.perkins.org/resource/monocular-mac-free-childrens-book- – direct link: https://tinyurl.com/3ek6fmxh

Four very well researched Publications by Alan Leach:

“Old English Patents for Spectacles” 1783 – 1899 72 pages (Very Limited copies remaining)
“Old English Patents for Spectacles” 1900 – 1910 130 pages (Limited copies remaining)
“A Collection of Advertisements” 1911 – 1930 (Very Limited copies remaing)
US Spectacles and Eyeglass Patents” 1836 – 1874 (All Sold)

“In this book Alan Leach has gathered together a fascinating collection of old patents for spectacles, which will enable the reader to survey the development of these invaluable vision aids from the time when the first English patent for spectacles was granted to Addison Smith in 1783 until the turn of the twentieth century”

£10 plus postage per copy, please order through the Club

Brian Ariel, retired optometrist and sports vision specialist, has published a reference book listing just about everyone you could ever think of who has had something optical named after them, including potted biographies and explanations of those eponymous items. The Eponymous People in the Wide World of Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology; Their Syndromes, Anatomical Structures, Theories, Laws, Instruments and Illusions is available from Brian in softback, priced £20 plus P&P. Please contact him through antiques@oaicc.com for more details.

CONTACT LENSES – THE STORY

Timothy J Bowden

“To Timothy J Bowden goes the honour of having produced the first single-volume general history of contact lenses to cover their complete international development from a cosmetic prosthesis to a visual aid of increasing technical complexity.”

We can offer a limited number of copies at half price £37.50 plus £5.00 postage to UK.

Please email antiques@oaicc.com to order.

Save even more by collecting at a Club event – when no postage

NOW BACK IN PRINT…

RESTORING OPHTHALMIC ANTIQUES

Ronald J S MacGregor

Being a fully revised, updated and extended version of the much sought after original edition, which has been out of print for many years now. A 48 page comprehensive guide to the restoration and care of optical antiques, including numerous tips and trade secrets, and contact details for further information.

A must have for collectors, dealers and enthusiasts.

Protect your investment and/or collection for a modest sum.

CONTENTS:

Cleaning: Iron & Steel/Tortoiseshell & Horn/Brass, Silver, Copper & White Metal/Cases/Eyebaths

Repairs/Materials: Lenses/Books & Prints/Papier Mache & Lacquer/Leather/Shagreen/Instruments

General Hints: Blueing/Gilding & Electro-plating/ Preservation/Useful Tools/Useful materials

Measures approx 8 1/2 inches x 6 inches (A5 size), softback

Please order through the shop page

£10 plus p&p

If you are happy to receive a pdf copy via email or digital download and avoid postage costs please email antiques@oaicc.com

SPECTACLES, LORGNETTES AND MONOCLES

D. C. Davidson and R. J. S. MacGregor – Shire Publications 2002

Completely revised second edition with 50 pages and 62 colour pictures.

Copies from Shire Publications, a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, or your local bookshop. RRP £4.95

ISBN 9780747805458

Articles and Catalogues previously on Compact Disc are now provided by digital download, while back copies of our Ophthalmic Antiques journal are available by download or post