Comments on: At the Algha Spectacle Works https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:04:27 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Geoff Holman https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1678301 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:04:27 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1678301 My father worked at algha works from 1933 as a tea boy and retired 1984 as general manager William Holman better known as Bill . He told some stories to me especially in later life about working during the blitz . I am pretty sure that M Wiseman not only produced specs to by worn with gas masks but was commissioned to manufacture the actual gas masks themselves during the war years . He himself wore glasses with lenses like bottle bottoms and during those war years my brother was born and evacuated to Tring near Aylesbury , for a long period he used to put his bike on the train and cycle to Algha works from the London station . During these cycle rides he observed the damage that was done the night before. Alpha works was quite close to the Bryant & May factory and a bomb had landed into a pile of logs, scattering the logs so they sticking out of various roofs of houses , that’s the story that just sticks in my mind . My father suffered from dementia later on in life and sadly died in 2015 at the ripe old age of 96.

]]> By: ruth novaczek https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1486248 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:28:17 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1486248 Max Wiseman was my grandfather, he died before I was born and my uncles ran the company. Of course Max was a legend in our family, and a visionary (no pun intended). I had ‘John Lennon’ wire rimmed sunglasses. Glad to hear his legacy hasn’t been forgotten

]]> By: Liam Staunton https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1461430 Wed, 11 May 2022 10:22:06 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1461430 I got my first secondhand Algha 20 from a Ladbroke Grove market stall 30 years ago. I’ve been wearing the same style ever since. Nowadays, I pick up parts on Ebay. Is the factory still there? I’d love a tour and a chance to buy replacements parts. The best spectacles I’ve worn. I hope they are still going.

]]> By: p pettifer https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1122933 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 19:22:52 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1122933 were fishhook templers (ear hooks)ever fitted to later styles of glasses e.g. engineers, sportsmen doctors,surgeons alike.Can they still be obtained

]]> By: Dieter Dangel https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1088256 Tue, 10 May 2016 22:54:01 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1088256 20 years ago, I found a framless Pair of glasses from my grandmother. I brought it to my optician to get new glasses for my strength. Some years ago a young optician told me the producer: algha
The frame was bought from my grandfather in the 1920’s in the near of Brünn Czecheslovakia. Since this time it was used all time. Some years ago I orderd some new parts and got them without any problems. This is my understanding of quality!

Dieter Dangel
Germany

]]> By: Mr C.Pilcher https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1074330 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:52:57 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1074330 No longer do Algha fit or repair their frames – I had a reply today offering a list of optician who will ???? Something to do with having been taken over by Saville Row Ltd

]]> By: Peter Davis https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-1026259 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:32:49 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-1026259 My Great Grandmother worked at Wiseman’s optical company in Leather lane. I assume that was the same company.

I wonder if there are any photographs of those early years?

I have a few photographs of a staff outing which I would guess was taken in the mid 1930’s. Apart from Great Grandmother Jane Bown, it would be nice to identify the other people in the pictures and exactly when and where the pictures were taken.

]]> By: Revd John Butterfield https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-789383 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:03:28 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-789383 Dear Mr Kirk,

If I intended to buy your frames are you able to inform, please, of an Optician(s) who would be able to supply them in the Chesterfield/Sheffield area. Alternatively, can you supply the whole thing ie lenses and frames from my eye-sight prescription?

With best wishes and thanks, Revd John Butterfield.

]]> By: Jason Kirk https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-364687 Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:04:27 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-364687 Several people have asked about having frames made at the Algha Works factory.
Please email savile.row@algha.co.uk or telephone 020 8985 5466 with enquiries.

Best

Jason Kirk
Business Development Director

]]> By: Jolene Steuckrath https://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/06/10/at-the-algha-spectacle-works/#comment-266479 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 19:01:39 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=35194#comment-266479 I want very much to have a pair of glasses made at the Wiseman Co. LTD. Where do I go to order them. Thank you in advance.

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