Spartus: Full-Vue

[bill339]

The simple Spartus Full-Vue plastic pseudo TLR was made from 1948 to 1960 by American manufacturer Spartus, later Herold Products. This model exposes 2¼" square images on 120 film. The lens of its viewfinder is larger in diameter than its taking lens, giving a bright finder image on the hooded matte screen. The name "Full-Vue" resembles another box camera with big reflecting finder, the British Ful-Vue. In fact, the more direct connection is to the Falcon Magni-View from Utility Mfg. Co. of New York, several of whose models were reissued by Spartus.
Spartus used various metal face-plate designs and plastic moldings over the production period. Early examples were made of Bakelite, although later models may have been other plastics.
The Full-Vue is also seen labeled with "The Spencer Co." or "Galter Products Co." as the manufacturer's name—a nebulous distinction, as all these entities shared the same address on West Lake St. in Chicago.