Deep pockets eyed a collection of eyeglasses worn by 9 U.S. presidents

WHAT: Nine pairs of eyeglasses used by U.S. presidents sold for $31,250 last week at Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles. The specs had been gifted by the chiefs of state to Spencer E. Sherman, M.D., a Manhattan ophthalmologist.

Sherman collected the glasses for display at the American Academy of Ophthalmology until the museum changed and the collection was consigned to auction.

Presidential eyeglasses included pairs from Truman, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton and W. Bush.

MORE: All were framed in presentation shadowboxes, along with a photo of the chief executive and a signed letter accompanying the eyeglasses. Info in the collection reveals that Richard Nixon wore reading glasses and that Gerald Ford was, in his words, “a bit near-sighted.” George H.W. Bush is shown holding a pair of Logo Paris frames, while Bill Clinton contributed his Italian-made eyeglasses.

SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: The fact that the collection is attractively mounted and framed adds appeal. The buyer of this assembly may have banked on the “Wow!” factor of impressing friends, family and/or co-workers.

HOT TIP: Lyndon Johnson’s bifocals are included, though he was the first president to wear contact lenses.

BOTTOM LINE: Individual collections rarely amount to much at auction unless amassed by a focused, erudite collector involved in high-end items. The odds of getting an auctioneer who gets serious results to take anything less than a stellar collection are often zero. The Sherman collection beat the odds because it is focused and attractive, and it offers items from VIP owners. Presidential signatures add more cachet.

MORE: The George W. Bush photo was selected because it reproduced best. No offense to the other presidents.

(c) 2018 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.