Artificial Glass Eyes Heavyweight Sweatshirt

This beautiful 1880s logo work advertises A.L. Ellis & Co., the Pawtucket, Rhode Island importers of artificial glass eyes for taxidermists, jewelers, and presumably people who were missing eyes.

In the early 1900s, glass eyes were a booming business and the finest among them were handmade in Germany. American importers faced a hefty 60% import duty, however, so a grifter named Bruno Schulze made the smuggling of glass eyes his specialty for over a decade. He's estimated to have smuggled about 100,000 eyes and raked in profits that would amount to about $21.6 million in today's dollars.

Why are we telling you this story? Because when he was arrested a local newspaper published a story which protested, "But He's Handsome and Distinguished Looking"! Just like you'll be in this t-shirt.

If you're not into glass eyes yourself, this is a terrific gift for prosthetists, ocularists, taxidermists, fans of medical history, oddities collectors, and people who just really love Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

This heavyweight sweatshirts is made of 90% US grown cotton and 10% polyester. The interior is a cozy fleece, and the ribbed collar, cuffs, and waistband are a stretchy spandex blend. It is highly, extremely snuggle-able, which is great if you like snuggling, and also great if you hate snuggling but want to lure your enemies closer.