Early printed book contains rare evidence of medieval spectacles 

Front parchment pastedown, now detached, with offset from the manuscript visible on the boards. Both the front and rear pastedowns came from the same medieval manuscript and are now detached from the boards. Photo by Pete Smith.

Rear flyleaf: It’s difficult to tell exactly how the spectacles left their impression, but they must have been sandwiched between the two parchment endleaves for an extended period of time. Photo by Pete Smith.

This second rear flyleaf contains the most visible trace of the spectacles.  Upon very close examination and under special lighting one can see the rivet used to join the two halves of the spectacles together at the bridge.  Photo by Pete Smith.

Rear pastedown: the impression from the spectacles shows faintly through from the other side. Photo by Pete Smith.