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info Helmecke were established by Gerhard Helmecke in 1947, based in northern West Germany, near the Danish border. He built a state of the art factory and was incredibly successful, starting out simply making frame temples and then moving into design and manufacture of their own frames and sunglasses. This is a large frame so we assume made for men, however the shape could just as easily compliment a woman, although note the larger bridge. If it was an opaque material it would look quite heavy on, given the thickness of the acetate and the wide, library arms, but the appearance is made lighter by the translucence of the pale grey colour. Looks to be made in the early 1970s as the joints are buried, both front and sides when the fashion was for a cleaner look. It is a unique shape and a bold shape for men at the time: definitely out there. Helmecke became the third largest optical company in W Germany - just behind Metzler and Rodenstock. It was an incredible enterprise, employing over 400 people and making everything for their frames in-house. However, they closed in 1977 - probably as the man who started it all, was then at retirement age. And perhaps the trend for metal frames and competition from cheap mass-produced frames were too much. A heady story of 30 years of superlative German eyewear and yours to have and to hold. NB: frame condition only marked down to 'good' due to slight tarnish of metal inside arms, see end photos. — klasik |
KlasikVintageEyewear |
product code : k8254 : £ 165 1970s translucent shaded pale grey plastic frame marked HELMECKE KlasikVintageEyewearKlasik Can be glazed with Rx or sunglasses lenses. condition lenses : n/a frame : good fit : very good size face : 135mm lens width : 52mm (marked on frame) lens height : 36mm bridge : 24mm (marked on frame) arms : 145mm (marked on frame) |
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