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info The Windsor frame was first patented by the American Optical company back in the 1920's, so it is interesting to note that the Algha company in England came to be purchased by AO in the 1980's. Albeit then let go later on. The firm was started in 1932, by Max Wiseman, who came to East London from Germany. The Algha Optical Works only recently closed after they became the prestigious Savile Row frames in the mid-80's - but this Windsor is an example of their amazing expertise in metal frames, from the heyday of the post-war period. It's incredible that nearly 100 years later, the very wearable Windsor-type frame endures in popularity. This pair has mottled dark red zylonite rims paired with unmotled, lighter shade arms: we have seen these contrasting arms and fronts before. Cable arms keep the frame snugly on and the metal is the nickel as opposed to the slightly more expensive gold-fill. In 1948 here in Britain we decided to offer free glasses on the National Health Service - and this pair is one of them. It is model 424 and might have been free, however only after 3 years the millions of people queueing for free glasses nearly bankrupted the country, so that in 1951 there was an Act of Parliament to start charging £1 for them. In its heyday, there were over 300 companies that made the NHS frames, Algha being one of them. This model started manufacture in 1948 but this pair looks to have been made a few years later. It comes in the medium sized lens size but with the larger 24 bridge and you would have paid slightly more for the balled ends on the temples and our pair has been fitted with plano lenses with a AR coating. — klasik |
KlasikVintageEyewear |
product code : k8232 : £ 125 1940s/50s very dark claret plastic on nickel silver Windsor frame marked ALGHA KlasikVintageEyewearKlasik Can be glazed with Rx or sunglasses lenses. condition lenses : n/a frame : very good fit : very good - cable arms size face : 114mm lens width : 44mm lens height : 39mm bridge : 24mm arms : n/a - cable arms |
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