Are the vintage frames reproductions or are they actually old?
These are the real things -- vintage eyewear from the 1800's to the 1980's (unless otherwise stated). Within our Vintage and Antique Collections, virtually all of the pieces are ophthalmic-quality eyeglass frames that have never been used (aka "new old stock"), and were acquired from various optical distributors.

What kinds of lenses can be put in the vintage frames?
The lenses of your choice -- prescription (including single vision, bi-/tri-focal and progressive lenses), sunglass, reading or clear lenses. In most cases, the vintage frames are as easy to complete as a contemporary frame off the rack.

Similarly, the vintage sunglass sections consist of unused ophthalmic frames (designed for prescription use) that we've completed with UVA/UVB sun lenses. If you see a sunglass style that you like but do not need the lenses, you can order "frame only" to complete the way you desire.

Can my local optician put lenses in the vintage frames?
In most cases, the answer is, "yes." You can go to an independent optician or many large chains to take care of your lens work needs. However, we have heard of some opticians preferring not to work with products they do not sell. If you are unable to find a store that will complete your job, please contact us and we'll assist you or check our "Opticians Network" page.

What is your return policy?
While we try to provide accurate descriptions and pictures, we realize it's not a substitute for trying on the frames in person. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed, and authorized returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt provided the item(s) are in their original condition. The purchase price, less the initial shipping & handling charges will be refunded upon receipt of merchandise. Return shipping and insurance are the buyer's responsibility and is non-refundable. All lost or damaged claims must be filed with the carrier. Items returned after the 14 day trial period may be subject to a 15% restocking fee.

Labwork costs associated with custom-made lenses are non-refundable.

We do our best to provide excellent customer service throughout the entire shopping process, but priority is given to filling orders. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of receipt of qualified returns in compliance with credit card and merchant service providers.

How come an itemized receipt is no longer included with my order?
We now email an itemized receipt as part of our paperless office initiative. We appreciate your support and cooperation as we continue to find "greener" ways to operate our business. For more information on our "Reduce/Reuse/Recycle" environmental policy, please visit www.allynscura.com/environment.htm.

What happens if the frames are defective and/or break?
We provide a one year warranty from date of purchase against defect on all products we sell (unless specified). We will repair or replace a frame that has broken under normal usage conditions with a product of equal or lesser value. Subject to availability.

What vintage brands do you carry?
We carry some of the best eyewear brands from around the world including the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, England, Spain, Switzerland, Eastern Europe and British Hong Kong - brand names like American Optical, ArtCraft, Bausch & Lomb, Flair, Foremost, Graceline, Imperial, Jason, Liberty, Pathway (POP), Rodenstock, Saphira, Shuron, Styl-Rite, Swank, Tura, Universal, Univis, Victory, Zylite and more.

We also stock a limited supply of vintage fashion brands in our boutique collection including Christian Dior, Emmanuelle Khanh, Gucci, Valentino and Cazal. This collection changes on a weekly basis -- please visit us at an upcoming show to view the current inventory.

How does the sizing work and what do all the numbers on the frames mean?
These numbers indicate the size of the frame fronts and temples. Specifically, numbers on the frame fronts refer to widths of one lens (at the widest points) and the distance between lenses (aka DBL), respectively. Usually conveyed in millimeters, the numbers 48-22, for example, mean the width of one lens is 48mm; bridge width or the distance between lenses is 22mm.

The numbers printed on the temples usually refer to the lengths of the temples. Before the eyewear industry shifted to the metric system exclusively, temples were often measured in inches. Given there are about 25mm per 1 inch, a typical 5"-6" temple measures 125mm-150mm by today's standards.

Another measurement we can provide is the overall width of the frame and/or hinge-to-hinge width. You can use this measurement to compare to a frame that you have that is similar in style.

Keep in mind that optical sizing is not consistent like shoe sizing. For example, if you wear a size 10 shoe, that's pretty much your size from shoe style to shoe style. However, with eyeglass frames, you might wear a size 40/20 in an antique wire frame, a 46/22 in a 1950s hornrim and a 58/16 in an Aviator. Although they are wildly different in terms of optical sizing, they may each fit the same face both physically and cosmetically.

Finally, frames are designed to be adjusted by an optician. A frame off the rack may be too loose, too tight or crooked. If a frame looks good on the face, but is uncomfortable, don't worry, it can most likely be adjusted to fit properly.

Do you ship outside of the U.S.?
Yes. In fact, we have online customers in all six inhabited continents of the world. Typically, we use US Postal Global Priority and Express services to handle international shipments (about $6.95-$10.95 US for Global Priority and $16.95-$23.95 US for Global Express).

Is your entire stock on the website?
No, we have over 50,000 vintage frames, so much of our stock is not shown on the website. If you don't see what you're looking for, please feel free to visit us at an upcoming show, call toll-free at 1.800.393.7482 or send an email to info@allynscura.com.

What's the difference between your Vintage and Antique frames?
We differentiate the two sections by categorizing mid-century (i.e. late 1940s-1970s) frames as Vintage and earlier pieces (i.e. 18th century through the 1940s) as Antiques. Generally speaking, eyewear from the 1940s and earlier could be characterized as unisex and utilitarian. During the postwar era, separate styles for men and women really started to evolve, e.g. hornrims for men and cateyes for women.

Do you have a retail location?
No, we do not. The best way to try on frames in person is to visit us at one of the many shows we do throughout the year (see www.allynscura.com/shows.htm for complete schedule). You can request free passes to most indoor shows that we do. Just email or call.

Do you have a catalog?
We do not print catalogs due to the finite and everchanging selection of our vintage productline, as well as our efforts to reduce paper consumption. For best selection, visit us at one of the many shows we do throughout the year (see www.allynscura.com/shows.htm for complete schedule). You can request free passes to many of the indoor shows that we do. Just email or call.

Why do so many styles online read, "sold out"?
Simply, we don't know how to delete images from our website -- only our offsite webmaster does.

We often have styles that are similar to a sold out item and having an image up helps customers to direct us to what they're interested in.

Sadly, when new old stock merchandise is sold and gone, it's gone for ever. We rarely find replacement identical stock, but sometimes it happens.

What are the basic parts of a standard eyeglass frame?
Please see the diagram below.