The "View-Master" viewers


View Master is currently property of the Mattel group.

Its system is based since the beginning (1938) on the use of small hard-bound discs, on the circumference of which small slides are. The slides are obviously arranged by two (not completely identicals, but you know it since you did not fail to read the article devoted to stereoscopy; - D), symmetrically compared to the axle of the disc.

Viewmaster




A big difference between the Lestrade system and View Master is in the contents of the catalogue. View Master while take over its direct competitor True-Vue at the beginning of the fifties, acquired the rights of use of views extracted from theDisney movies.



The first viewer (A) take up the shape of the disc, and it should be opened into two to slip the disc there. While having never seen, I don’t know how is made the rotation of the disc. This viewer was exclusively manufactured in the USA. It is quasi untraceable in France, because its manufacture stopped in 1944, and to say as much that during this period one had another thing to do in Europe to watch views in relief.





The second model (B) of viewer is rather similar to the precedent. The plastic changes. The introduction in Europe starts with manufacture in the United Kingdom. This model is manufactured until 1948.






Viewmaster

The third model (C) changes radically of shape. It is more angular and especially appears a lever making it possible to make turn the disc. This model is manufactured for a more long time, until 1956. It is the first with being manufactured in Belgium.




In 1956, the model C is replaced by the E, until 1960.


Viewmaster
Model E (1956-1960)


Viewmaster
Model F (1959-1966) with built in light
Viewmaster
Viewmaster
Model G (1959-1977) :


The model “G” is most current and corresponds to the great period of success of the system in France. It is out of very solid plastic. There exist variants of colours and inscriptions. Mine is marked “Sawyers”, but other variants bear the brand “GAF”. This model was produced in great number in the USA as in Belgium, until 1977.


Viewmaster
Model H (1966-1981)


Viewmaster
Model J (1984-1996) manufactured in Belgium


Viewmaster
Model J - Set "Pocahontas " (1994)


Viewmaster
Model K (1975-1984) only manufactured in Belgium
Viewmaster
Model M (1986-1990)



Viewmaster
Mickey Mouse (1989-1996)


Viewmaster
Model N (since 1992)


Viewmaster
Viewmaster
Current Model ( since 2000)



Contrary to Lestrade, View Master is a complete system which also makes it possible to manufacture its own views and to project them. Stereo cameras “Sawyer' S” made it possible (I speak in the past tense one, because I have the impression not exist any more for more than 25 years) to take slides on film 35 mm. A kit of assembly made it possible to cut the views and to insert them in discs out of cardboard. The system was supplemented by several mono or stereo projectors. I have the mono version: Deluxe Projector.

Viewmaster