VIEW-MASTER
MODEL C

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 links 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

Below 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.

click here to see instructions for light attachment

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.

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