RAY BAN Bausch & Lomb c.1970's Gold Burgundy Leather Aviator Shooter Sunglasses
View Similar Items
RAY BAN Bausch & Lomb c.1970's Gold Burgundy Leather Aviator Shooter Sunglasses
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thiensville, WI
- Reference Number:Seller: EI: 014499_1/E1stDibs: LU541312498482
Ray-Ban
Vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses remain practically synonymous with American cool. And although the brand has given us some of America’s most iconic sunglass styles — the Wayfarer, the Clubmaster are widely loved Ray-Bans — the Ray-Ban Aviator is in a class of its own.
As a pilot in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Lieutenant John Macready had experienced the debilitating headaches caused by the bright sun high up. In the 1930s, he took action, partnering with eyewear manufacturer Bausch & Lomb to develop sunglasses specifically for aviators like himself and his colleagues. It was patented as the Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939.
“Aviators reflect the idea that form follows power. They express charisma and heroism — a pilot takes us forward through danger, and there is no going back,” says Patrick Michael Hughes, fashion and decorative-arts historian at Parsons School of Design.
When the Wayfarer was released, in 1952, it was the first sunglass frame made from acetate. With a design inspired in part by mid-century Cadillac tail fins, it caught on with silver-screen stars. Early adopters included James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, who were soon followed by other artists, like Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol. Indeed, celebrities have long held sway in the sunglasses realm — whether you’ve opted for vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses because you’re enamored with Marilyn Monroe’s celebrated Wayfarers or you’ve taken to classic Aviators because actor Jon Hamm wore them in the nostalgic TV smash hit Mad Men.
Of course, with all of this star power, that means they’ve become as popular with counterfeiters as they are with consumers. Do you know how to spot fake Ray-Ban sunglasses?
The center portion of a pair of Ray-Ban acetate sunglasses — which holds the lenses — is cut from a single block. If you feel a seam where two pieces of plastic, front and back, have been glued together, just say no. Also, look out for glue and uneven edges. These are telltale signs of counterfeit production. The final product should have a sturdy, substantial hand.
The lettering inside the temples, or arms, is another good indicator of authenticity. The text should be cleanly etched, perfectly centered and aligned. Ray-Ban’s faux-leather cases come in black, brown and occasional special-edition colors. What you won’t find on a real case is frayed or uneven stitching. What you will find, on newer cases, is a snap closure inscribed with a perfectly centered and executed signature logo and, at the left, a larger logo stamped on the case, sometimes in matte gold or black.
There will be a prominent Ray-Ban signature logo in the upper corner of the right lens and a very subtle BL (for glasses made before 2000) or RB (for those made in 2000 or later) etched on the left one. The logos appear on the opposite sides for prescription lenses.
If faced with Ray-Bans of questionable provenance, remember: The truth may hinge on the hinges. Ray-Bans will always have solid metal, not plastic, hinges, and they will be attached to the frame with screws or rivets, not glue.
A pair of classic designer sunglasses can be a game-changing finishing touch to your ensemble. Find your perfect pair of vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses on 1stDibs.
- VERSACE Black Marble Sunglasses Mod. 3171By VersaceLocated in Thiensville, WIVERSACE Black Marble Sunglasses Mod. 3171 Brand / Manufacturer: Versace Style: Sunglasses Color(s): Shades of black, brown, clear and silver Add...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sunglasses
$147 Sale Price50% Off - CHLOE S/S 2001 Stella McCartney Gold Asymmetrical Wire Frame Shield SunglassesBy Stella McCartney, ChloéLocated in Thiensville, WIDESCRIPTION: CHLOE S/S 2001 Gold Asymmetrical Wire Frame Shield Sunglasses 76S Brand / Manufacturer: Chloe Collection: Spring / Summer 2001 Designer: Stella McCartney Style: Shiel...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sunglasses
$262 Sale Price50% Off - CHRISTIAN DIOR “Delicacy F” Ltd Ed. Black Swarovski Crystal Oversized SunglassesBy Christian DiorLocated in Thiensville, WICHRISTIAN DIOR “Delicacy F” Ltd Ed. Black Swarovski Crystal Oversized Sunglasses w/Box Brand/Manufacturer: Christian Dior Circa: 2014 Style: Oversized ...Category
2010s Italian Sunglasses
$180 Sale Price68% Off - GIANNI VERSACE c.1990s Gold Tortoiseshell Medusa Emblem Oval Shaped SunglassesBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Thiensville, WIGIANNI VERSACE c.1990s Gold Tortoiseshell Medusa Emblem Oval Shaped Sunglasses Brand / Manufacturer: Gianni Versace Circa: 1990s Designer: Gianni Versace Style: Sunglasses Color(s):...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
$447 Sale Price50% Off - RUCO LINE 2013 Jean Nouvel "Pure" Militare Leather Industrial Ankle Boot NIBLocated in Thiensville, WIRUCO LINE 2013 Jean Nouvel "Pure" Militare Leather Industrial Ankle Boot NIB (New in Box) Brand / Manufacturer: Ruco Line Collection: "Pure" 2013 Designer: Jean Nouvel Manufacturer...Category
2010s Shoes
$180 Sale Price71% Off - VICTORIAN REVIVAL c.1930's Bronze Floral Metal Mesh Amber Quartz Jeweled BeltLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage Victorian Revival c.1930's bronze floral metal mesh belt. Bronze-tone metal mesh belt has a floral design imprinted on mesh. Buckle is made of three large faceted prong set a...Category
1930s Belts
$262 Sale Price50% Off
- Casanova CN12 - VINTAGEBy CasanovaLocated in HOUTEN, NLThis Casanova model is a playful combination of a slight cat eye look with big sunglasses lenses. The combination of gold and dark green gives it a very...Category
1980s Italian Sunglasses
- Casanova RC1 - VINTAGEBy CasanovaLocated in HOUTEN, NLThis Casanova model is a playful combination of a classic round frame with excellent metal details. Its origin lies in the 80s. These glasses are very rare and a highlight for your c...Category
1980s Italian Sunglasses
- Christan Dior - Mistinguette VINTAGEBy Christian DiorLocated in HOUTEN, NLThese bronze coloured sunglasses are made by Christian Dior. Vintage Christian Dior sunglasses and frames are one of the most stylish and desirable glasses in the world today. Being one of the world’s top fashion houses for decades, vintage Christian Dior eyewear...Category
1990s Austrian Sunglasses
- Pierre Cardin - Foldable VINTAGEBy Pierre CardinLocated in HOUTEN, NLThese foldable glasses made by Pierre Cardin have a tortoise colouring and have never been worn (deadstock). Pierre Cardin was a famous fashion designer...Category
1970s French Sunglasses
- Prince Egon von Furstenberg sunglasses, 1980sBy De rigo, Von FurstenbergLocated in Santa Clarita, CABefore Diane, there was Egon. Egon was a prince from Switzerland and he married Diane and thus made Diane Von Furstenburg a princess. An acclaimed fashion designer, he was a contempo...Category
1980s Italian Sunglasses
- Simonetta Ravizza by Annabella sunglasses 80sBy Simonetta RavizzaLocated in Santa Clarita, CAMAKE: Simonetta Ravizza by Annabella MODEL: A282S - C2 MADE IN: Italy ERA: 1980s CONDITION: New Old Stock [never worn] DIMENSIONS: Lens width: 51 mm / 2 in Lens height: 39 mm / ...Category
1980s Italian Sunglasses