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MAIN OFFICE: 585.546.6640
Customer Service: 800.828.8288
Customer Service Fax: 585.546.5133

57 Goodway Drive South
Rochester, New York 14623
e-mail: aco@artcraftoptical.com

Plastic frames became more popular during the mid to late thirties, in part because World War II pushed the use of plastics by creating a dearth of other materials. It was not long before fabrication and finishing procedures developed.


Early colors in plastic frames were basic, including few more than black or tortoise. As they became available, however, other colors and patterns were added. The frames became highly decorated, and often included dimensional metal trims. Austrian baguettes and rhinestones were used “to dress a frame with luxury.”

Combination frames made their debut during the late forties and ArtCraft's experience in the manufacture of metals and plastics put the company in a position to supply beautiful blends of the materials suddenly in complementary demand. The resulting products made ArtCraft a major international supplier of combination frames.

The most successful of the different groups of combination frames were the “Art-Rim” frames, including the Leading Lady Art-Rim for women and the Clubman Art-Rim for men.

Originally, all of the Art-Rim styles featured plastic tops and temples attached to a full metal chassis. Later, though, aluminum tops and temples became available, providing an alternative to the familiar plastics.

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