The View-Master Model C was
produced between 1946 and 1955. It was made from bakelite and was the
first viewer to have a slot into which the reels were placed for
viewing. The viewer was very robustly constructed and many survive in
almost new condition to this day. For the common black, non-outlined
patent variant, this is reflected in their very low price and their easy
availability. Brown variants are much more scarce and so they command a
considerably higher price, as do early black models with an outlined
patent information block.
A light attachment was produced
for this viewer from 1950 until the end of the Model C's life in 1955.
The Model C originally retailed
for $2.00. Whilst it was mainly made in black, there are also brown,
dark brown, black with brown speckles and two-tone brown versions
available.
Below are early examples of Model C viewers,
manufactured in 1946. These viewers can be identified as early because the
patent information was outlined, whereas, later models were not. The
Model C viewer was sold concurrently with Model B viewers between 1946 and
1948, at which point sales of the Model B were finally stopped.
Early Black or Brown outlined patent models
click below to see Gruber's drawings, used as part of
the Patent submission for the Model C
Patent Number 2,511,334
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
On the right is a close-up showing the
characteristic outline that surrounds the patent information on early
Model C viewers. Notice the seam line that extends upwards from the
middle of the outline box towards the viewer's bridge..
An example of a later Model C,
probably dating from around 1950
The light attachment for the
View-Master Model C
There are at least two main variants
of this light attachment, one with the name LumaView on the cover and the
other with a picture of a Model C.
The Model C View-Master and Light
Attachment were available in a boxed set.
View-Lite Illuminator for the Model C (Third Party Product)
A rare example of a back-light
illuminator for the Model C produced by The View-Lite Co. of Wichita,
Kansas, USA. in 1950. The company was in business for less than a year.
The illuminator is made from thin plastic and works very well. It is
much lighter and easier to handle than the Sawyers back-light pictured
above.
patent variant, this is reflected in their very low price and their easy
availability. Brown variants are much more scarce and so they command a
considerably higher price, as do early black models with an outlined
patent information block.
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