A new product is coming soon! My reproduction quizzing glass, or quizzer, will grace my shop in mid to late March 2021. Made after my very own original, it will have a 1.5-2.0 magnification (many originals were just glass and for show). I will offer a gold and silver version - both are plated over copper. The handle is held together by the screw just as the original was made.
My research shows, to date, that quizzers were a precursor to lorgnettes and a progression from monocles! Or were they all coming out about the same time? I have found an interesting article by Candace Hern - here - with some research on these unique items. It seems that her earliest version of a quizzing glass is dated 1750. I'm not sure I can do better than what she has put together, but will be continuing my research into them, and putting together a Pinterest board as well showing portraits and prints of ladies and men holding them. A link to my Pinterest boards is - here.
Above - gold and silver quizzing glasses with my original in the center. Measures 3 inches long.
When searching for quizzing glasses in portraits and prints, I came across a few from the Regency (Federalist) period. I am still on the look out for earlier prints so contact me if you see them!
