Lawrence & Mayo 'Amulet' Glare Protector sunglasses, dating from c.1920. Lawrence & Mayo operated from their 67-69 Chancery Lane, London premises from 1877 until the early 1920s, before moving in 1925 to their new headquarters at 19 New Oxford Street. The Chancery Lane address on the silk lining inside the leather case shows that these sunglasses were made before 1925. This iconic and highly collectible art deco design was extremely fashionable in the 1920s - Queen Mary was photographed wearing the Amulet Glare Protectors at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 1923. Although now more than 100 years old, these antique Amulet sunglasses are fully functional and ready for use.
The Amulet Glare Protectors have a steel frame, grey-green glass lenses, spring-loaded 'Vulcanite' side panels, and detachable metal arms. They are marked ‘Lawrence & Mayo, Patent’ on the inside of the side panels. The instruction leaflet describes the procedure to fit the side arms: 'To adjust the curled sides or arms to the vulcanite wings of the "Amulet", simply slide the cross bar of the side under the spring. As the use of the arms is only necessary when the "Amulet" is worn while on horseback or for games, they can be kept in the case until required for such purposes'.
Complete with their very rare original Lawrence & Mayo maroon morocco leather covered case, with blue velvet and cream silk lining, and instruction leaflet.
Lawrence & Mayo: were established in London in 1877 by optician Sydney Solomon Lawrence in partnership with the Mayo family. They traded as high quality opticians and jewellers from Lawrence’s 67-69 Chancery Lane address in London. The business expanded quickly, with branches worldwide, opening their first Indian branch in Calcutta in 1877. Further offices and showrooms were opened across India, followed by Cairo, Spain, Portugal, Colombo, Rangoon, and Singapore. Lawrence & Mayo went on to produce a wide variety of scientific instruments, including binoculars, telescopes, meterological instruments, and compasses. Customers included Viceroys, Royalty and prominent figures - including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Queen Mary. By 1897 the business was solely owned by Sydney Lawrence, who was still operating from the Chancery Lane premises. By 1925 the business had moved to 19 New Oxford Street, London. In July 1938 Lawrence & Mayo was incorporated under the Indian Companies Act as a Private Limited Company, and most of the Lawrence & Mayo outlets worldwide were rebranded. In 1943 Lawrence & Mayo India was acquired by an employee, Isidore C. Mendonsa, who retained the brand name, and the company became wholly Indian owned in 1967.
Condition:
In very good condition, with minor signs of use. In full working order. The spring-loaded side panels are functioning very well, with good strong springs. The frame, arms, and nose pieces are in very good condition. The lenses are in excellent condition. There is some wear and marking to the leather covering of the case. The original instruction leaflet is in good condition, with general signs of wear.
Dimensions:
Width: 115mm
Arm Length: 65mm
Lens size: 40mm x 30mm
Case Length: 120mm
Case width: 48mm
