A fine pair of Clement Clarke drop cell trial frames — the specialist optometry instrument used to assess lens suitability before a final prescription was made. A rare and beautifully preserved piece of British optical history, equally at home in a medical collection or as a striking display object.

Condition

• Cosmetic: Great condition — the frames look hardly used, with no significant marks or wear.
• Completeness: Comes in the original box, adding to both the display appeal and the collectible value.

Provenance

• Maker: Clement Clarke International, London, England — founded in 1917, the company quickly became renowned for the quality of its optical and ophthalmic equipment. By the mid-1950s it had grown into one of the leading dispensing opticians in the UK. In 1986, Boots purchased the dispensing side of the business.
• Item: Drop cell trial frames — designed to hold interchangeable trial lenses in front of the eye, allowing optometrists to test different prescriptions before committing to a final lens.
• Era: Mid-20th century.
• Significance: A tangible piece of the history of British optometry — the kind of precision instrument that shaped how vision care was practised for decades.