If you are a buyer, a
Viewmaster collector or a antique dealer and would like to offer your products in our Marketplace or open your free supply
store you have come to the right place.We offer collectors, publishers, photographers and
dealers a place where to show their items listed for sale at auction or fixed
price offering buyers a complete line, a huge variety of
products and accessories they can choose from.
The View-Master is a device for viewing seven 3-D images (also
known as stereo images) on a paper disk. Although it is now considered a
children's toy, it was not originally marketed as such.
In late 1939, the View-Master was introduced at the New York World's Fair
. It was intended as an alternative to the scenic postcard, and was originally
sold at photography shops, stationery stores and scenic attraction gift shops.
The main subjects of View-Master reels were Carlsbad Caverns and the Grand
Canyon.
In 1951, Sawyer's purchased Tru-Vue, the main competitor of View-Master. In
addition to eliminating their main rival, the takeover also gave Sawyer's
Tru-Vue's licensing rights to Walt Disney Studios. Sawyer's capitalized on the
opportunity and produced numerous reels featuring Disney characters and the
newly opened Disneyland.
In 1952, Sawyer's began its View-Master Personal line, which included a 35 mm
camera for its users to make their own View-Master reels. This line also spawned
the Model 'D' viewer and View-Master's only 3D
projector.
In 1955, the Model E and
In 1958, the Model F were introduced which used C-cell batteries to power an
internal lighting source. In 1962, the bakelite models were replaced with
plastic versions. The first of these being the Model G.
In total, there were about 25 different models of viewers and 1.5 billion reels
produced. Despite its long history, many model changes and materials used in
production, every reel ever made will work in any model ever produced.
|
