An Italian gunnery officer- Ignazio Porro (1801-1875) found a way to use the Keplerian binoculars and turn the picture over using prisms. A very important development occurred in the mid 19th century.

Salva (1710-1762) invented the bridge that connected two small Galilean telescopes.

In the mid 18th century a Venetian optician named D. This is the achromatic (color free) lens that is still in use today. Each lens was made from a different type of glass. He invented a lens made from two lenses cemented together. In 1758 John Dollond of England solved the main problem that plagued all binoculars till then- color aberration. In about 1617 Anton Schyrle (1597-1660), inserted an extra lens and the image was re-inverted it is called a terrestrial telescope. But, because they had two convex lenses the picture that was seen was inverted. Johann Kepler (1571-1630) invented binoculars, which gave a much wider field of view. One year later Galileo Galilee (1564-1642), the Italian philosopher and mathematician improved the telescope to a magnification of X30. Please check our shop for a nice selection of antique and vintage binoculars and opera glasses.The first binoculars that were made of two parallel telescopes, were created in 1608 by the Dutch optician Hans Lipperhey. The only issues is some age related tarnish spots to the brass. They have a smooth action with no damage to the lenses or the pretty mother of pearl. The glasses are in perfect working condition. The leather is in wonderful condition, as is the lining. The case has the hallmark bee on the clasp, and the interior lid has the jewelers information of 'C. They come in the original black leather case with a red satin lining. The lenses are hallmarked with the LeMaire Fi, Paris name, as well as C.A.W. The opera glasses measure 2 1/4 inches in height when closed and 2 7/8th inches high when fully extended, and are 3 7/8 inches across the base of the lenses.

This is a beautiful pair of antique LeMaire Fi Paris 1800's mother of pearl opera or theater glasses in wonderful condition that come in the original case.

How to date lemaire opera glasses