Our Museum

Postcard (1908) – "SV Optika" Logo

Postcard (1908), a unique logo of "SV Optika". On the reverse side, an inscription (original spelling preserved): "Sanya darling, meet me if it's not too difficult for you on the 23rd from the train..." addressed to the town of Kashin (Tver Governorate).

Pince-nez Collection

Pince-nez with Cork Pads

Presumably late 19th – early 20th century. The nose pads are crafted from natural cork wood.

Pince-nez and Case

Authentic pince-nez together with its original protective case ("ochechnik").

Portrait in Pince-nez

Historical archival photograph of a gentleman wearing a pince-nez.

Gold-plated Pince-nez

Produced by the Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Plant. Presumably 1950s–1960s. The photo shows the scanned packaging of a box for 12 pieces.

Vintage Pince-nez

Classic pince-nez. Date of manufacture unknown.

Magnifying Glasses & Monocles

Magnifying Glasses (Loupes)

Magnifying glasses, sometimes called monocles. The loupe on the left dates to the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The loupe on the right was crafted by Sumy masters in the mid-20th century.

Monocles

Date of manufacture unknown. Wearing a monocle was a refined art described in memoirs and historical essays on dandy culture.

Lorgnettes

Classic Lorgnette

In the 19th century, an essential accessory for high society. Attached to wrists via elegant chains, its mechanism allowed interpupillary distance adjustment.

Polyhedral Lorgnette

Distinguished by its rare optical design featuring obtuse-angled polygonal lens frames.

Historical Glasses

Pre-War Round Glasses

Prior to 1939–1945, glasses were typically round due to lens fabrication methods and produced without nose pads.

Custom-Restored Glasses

Purchased at the Sumy market. A touching detail: the missing temple was skillfully woven by its former owner from wire matched in tone.

Glasses (1950s–1960s)

A gift from a client. In these glasses, her grandmother used to read bedtime fairy tales to her.

Ophthalmic & Medical Instruments

Surgical Instruments (1908)

Surgical instruments of an ophthalmologist (1908), donated by I. O. Kravchenko, widow of O. H. Martyshkin.

Eye Pressure Tonometry Tools

Instruments for measuring intraocular pressure. Donated by I. O. Kravchenko, widow of O. H. Martyshkin.

Numbered Trial Lens Set

Complete vintage numbered ophthalmic lens set for optical diagnostics and frame fitting.

Binoculars, Stereo Optics & Accessories

Binoculars & Monoculars

Theater, military, and hunting binoculars and monoculars. Notable feature: internal gear mechanisms crafted from wood.

Stereo Glasses (Carl Zeiss)

A precursor to modern 3D glasses, popular in the 1970s–1980s. Equipped with adjustable temple arms, unlike standard cinema models of that era.

Eyeglass Cases (1970s–1990s)

A collection of vintage eyeglass cases reflecting everyday design of the late 20th century.

Notaphily & Numismatics

Notaphily – Banknotes with Figures in Glasses

Notaphily (French: bonistique) is an auxiliary historical discipline studying paper banknotes as economic and political documents.

The museum features a unique collection assembled by S. V. Chernov: historical and modern banknotes whose primary figures are depicted wearing glasses.

Numismatics – World Coins

Coins from various countries around the world featuring portraits and depictions of glasses wearers.

Our Museum.