Lemaire exported his goods all over the world.Īrmand Lemaire died in 1885 and his son in law Jean Baptiste Baille took over the running of the firm now called the Baille Lemaire group.Īs an aspiring entrepreneur Baille set up a factory in the Essonne at Crosne. The French term for binoculars is 'jumelles' or twin girls. They produced a variety of optical apparatus including binoculars. I've been researching the Lemaire firm and have found out that the firm was begun in 1846 in Paris, rue Oberkampf. Most references put them to the early 1900's. I found this pair in the case with the bee opening clip at the Salvos. The movement, the lenses, the iridescence of the mother of pearl. If made for the American or British market, the words ' Fabt/ Fabricant Paris' have been translated to “Made in France” on the central brace and indicate a date after 1891 or 1887 respectively.For some strange reason I had wanted a pair of these opera glasses since I was a kid. Jacques Lemaire began making military and civilian binoculars and opera glasses in 1847 and was soon a major manufacturer noted for using mechanization, division of labor and interchangeable parts. CONDITION Good with appropriate patina for age.MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Leather, Metal, Brass, Optical glass.Overall the piece is in good condition with appropriate patina for its age.

The frame is a wrapped in leather with a cross hatched pattern and the barrels are brass.

The objective lenses are 30 mm in diameter and their optics are good. They are marked on each eyepiece with 'Le Maire Fabt. An original pair of French opera glasses manufactured by Le Maire Fabt.

Lemaire fabi opera glasses