Model-A

(1939-1944)

This round viewer is made of Kodak Tenite (a special black plastic of the era). It has long tubes mounted onto the round face of the viewer and has a pair of eyepieces mounted at the end of each tube. At the bottom it has a hinge that holds together the two sections of the viewer which enables it to open and close in a "clamshell" like manner. These viewers are easily identified by the words "to change view pull stop then release" above the scene title window. It warps easily in heat and was sold alone or in gift sets. It was manufactured strictly in the United States as the Belgium plant did not open until the 1950's.

The versions we know to exist are:

Black with large eyepieces without outer retaining ring with the words "Patent Applied For" embossed into the bottom of the viewer. This is the earliest of the "production" viewers. The original prototype for the View-Master reel had round holes.
Black with large eyepieces
Black with large eyepieces and inner version metal clip
Black with small eyepieces (seam down middle of viewer)
Black-blue/white speckled with small eyepieces
Black-green/tan speckled with small eyepieces

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Model B

(1944-1948)

This model is also round in design but more durable since it is made of Bakelite. The inner workings of this viewer are also more refined than the Model A. A metal plate inside easily distinguishes this viewer from its predecessor. Two style variations exist, one has a longer eyecup stem than the other. These variations have been found in both the black and brown versions. Several color variations were made. The blue model B viewer is a very uncommon viewer and is one of the most wanted viewers with a high value. The half black and blue viewer is even more uncommon than the blue one. At the end of the production of model B they assembeled the pieces that they had in store and therefore built some two-colored viewers.

They are:

Black
Brown with black eyepieces
Blue with black eyepieces
Half blue and half black with black eyepieces.

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Model C

(1946-1955)

Known as the Deluxe Stereoscope, this viewer is the most common of the older designs. This square model was completely re-engineered to allow the consumer to insert the reel directly into the top of the viewer. Stereocraft Engineering created this new design and it remains the basic principle applied to all viewers made ever since then! (Author's Note: This viewer was still being distributed in 1956 although it was no longer being manufactured at that time.) It was produced at both the U.S. and the Belgium plants. Because this viewer was in production for almost 10 years, there are many differences that accompany this basic Bakelite viewer.

Some of those we have found include the following Color Variations:

Black
Dark Brown
Light Brown
Black/Brown speckled
Two-Tone Brown

Printing Variations

Sawyers name and patent information outlined in box at bottom of back (seam down middle of viewer)
Sawyers name and patent information not outlined

Lever Variations

Advance lever in brass
Advance lever in aluminum
Advance lever in chrome

Eyepiece Variations

Seven "steps" leading to top of viewer
Six "steps"; greater distance from top of viewer to first "step"

Rivet Variations

Rivets are concave
Rivets are inset
Rivets are pin-pointed

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Model D - Focus

(1946-1955)

This model is also known as the "focusing viewer" Secondary to the focusing feature is the fact that this viewer has an image size more than a third larger than the regular model. The lens opening in this viewer was square rather than the typical round design found it most viewers. It also has a built in light source (battery operated) or could be used with an optional transformer.

Produced only in the U.S., it came in three styles:

Black
Brown
Brown with special blue filters and long life bulb (included within the Chinese Art Set)

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Model E

(1956-1960)

As a replacement for the Model C, this viewer was introduced in early 1956. Streamlined, with a more rounded shape it was a little lighter and easier to handle than the Model C. This model, which dips down in the middle to form a "V" was made of Bakelite and produced in both the U.S. and Belgium. It had several color and knob variations, many of which were unique to the Belgium plant.

Colorvariations:

Brown with flat ivory knob
Brown with rippled ivory knob
Black with rippled ivory knob
Black with rippled red knob

Unique Belgium color variations include the following:

Red
Gray
Cream
Maroon

This viewer was also manufactured at the View-Master plant in Australia for a short time in the basic brown Bakelite color.
Versions manufactured in France and Spain were also made.

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Model F

(1958-1969)

This viewer had a built-in light source activated by depressing the bar on top. It also featured about one power larger magnification than the regular Model "C". Powered by either batteries or an optional transformer, it was the last viewer made of Bakelite. It was manufactured in the United States until 1966 and in Belgium until 1969.
Examples of this viewer has only been found in dark brown with an ivory bar at the top.

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Model G

(1959-1977)

Called the "standard viewer" but also given the designation "Model "G" by many collectors, this Viewer has enjoyed the longest production run of the regular viewers. Originally this viewer was made of off-white plastic with a dark brown lever; but this was later changed to an all beige version. Even later, this viewer was a red /white version and, still later, as an all red viewer. Produced both here in the United States and at the Belgium manufacturing plant, recent discovery has a version of this viewer being produced at the View-Master plant in India as well.

Differences include:

Off-white body/dark brown lever
Beige body /brown lever, Sawyers on back
Beige body/beige lever, Sawyers on back
Beige body/beige lever, GAF on back without Belgium patent information on front
Beige body/beige lever, GAF not on back with Belgium patent information on front
Beige body /beige lever, GAF on back in large gold letters without Belgium patent information on front
Beige body/beige lever, GAF on back in small gold letters with Belgium patent information on front
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back in white letters with large diffuser openings
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back in white letters with small diffuser openings
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back
Red & white/round flat blue lever with plastic plate
Solid red/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on back white letters
Solid red/round flat blue lever with plastic plate
Solid white - Made in Belgium

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Model G

(1959-1977)

Called the "standard viewer" but also given the designation "Model "G" by many collectors, this Viewer has enjoyed the longest production run of the regular viewers. Originally this viewer was made of off-white plastic with a dark brown lever; but this was later changed to an all beige version. Even later, this viewer was a red /white version and, still later, as an all red viewer. Produced both here in the United States and at the Belgium manufacturing plant, recent discovery has a version of this viewer being produced at the View-Master plant in India as well.

Differences include:

Off-white body/dark brown lever
Beige body /brown lever, Sawyers on back
Beige body/beige lever, Sawyers on back
Beige body/beige lever, GAF on back without Belgium patent information on front
Beige body/beige lever, GAF not on back with Belgium patent information on front
Beige body /beige lever, GAF on back in large gold letters without Belgium patent information on front
Beige body/beige lever, GAF on back in small gold letters with Belgium patent information on front
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back in white letters with large diffuser openings
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back in white letters with small diffuser openings
Red & white/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on front and back
Red & white/round flat blue lever with plastic plate
Solid red/blue lever with metal plate. GAF on back white letters
Solid red/round flat blue lever with plastic plate
Solid white - Made in Belgium

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Model H Amerikansk

(1966-1981)

Same features as Model F but rounder in design. First introduced in beige and later changed to a royal blue color.

Known variations:

Beige with metal disc on front- Sawyers logo on disc with long advance lever
Beige with metal disc on front- Sawyers logo on disc with short advance lever
Beige with metal disc on front-GAF logo on disc
Blue with metal disc on front-GAF logo on disc
Blue with GAF logo molded into front of viewer with red printing on light bar
Blue with GAF logo molded into front of viewer with black printing on light bar

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Model H Belgisk

(1966-1981)

Made of Beige plastic, the Belgium version of the Model "H" Viewer had a unique square shape and actually looked more like the American Model F Viewer. The GAF logo appears on the bottom corner and the viewer comes in two variations, one with a long lever and one with a short lever.

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Model J

(1966-1981)

The Model J viewer is also known as the European Model "10". This viewer saw a few minor changes during the length of its production. Made only at the Belgium plant, this viewer was considered a "sister" viewer to the standard Model L made in the United States.

Several variations exist including the following:

Logo Variations:

Small gaf
Large GAF
3-D

Color Variations:

Red
Medium Blue
Yellow
Green
Beige
Black
Dark Blue

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Model K Space Viewer
(Model 11)

(1975 - 1984)

This futuristic viewer is known by European collectors as the "Space Viewer" and was given the designation Model "11" by the Belgium View-Master factory. It was manufactured strictly for the marketing and distribution by the Belgium plant and has also been called the "eyeball" viewer because of its unusual design.

Several color variations are known to exist including red, orange, black and gold.

A special version of the Model "11" was made and sold during the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida.
It was produced in silver and sold only at EPCOT for a limited time.

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Model L

(1977 -)

Newer, more modern in style, this viewer - first introduced in the 1970's - is still being manufactured today. It has been marketed by three different corporate owners, View-Master International, Tyco Toys and now Mattel, Inc. Most models produced are an orange-red color with a bright orange knob. Lighter weight than most previous models, the plastic scene changing lever was used in most versions This is an excellent feature to collectors because it prevents the black rings around the edge of the reels caused by the metal advance levers. It was manufactured only here in the U.S. Many variations exist of this viewer because of its long production run. Custom colors for special commercial runs can also be commonly found.

Some of the variations we have found include the following:

Red with flat orange lever - VMI logo
Red with flat orange lever - Tyco logo
Red with flat orange lever - VMI logo in white letters
Red with flat orange lever - Tyco logo in white letters
Red with flat orange lever (incised circle within lever)-VMI logo in white letters
Red with flat orange lever (incised circle within lever) - Tyco logo in white letters
Red with large orange knob and metal plate- GAF logo
Red with large orange knob and metal plate - GAF logo in white
Black with flat orange lever - GAF logo
Black with flat black lever (incised circle within lever) - Tyco logo
Purple with flat orange lever (incised circle within lever) - Tyco logo
Fisher Price issued the viewer in the standard red, as well as in blue and black
Many special colors have been made for the gift sets (pink Barbie, metallic red 65 Anniversary, etc.) The viewer in now produced in Mexico.

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Model M - Push Button Viewer

(1986-1990)

The "Push button Viewer" was created by tge VMI (View-Master International Group).
It was available in red (some say pink) and blue.
The blue one is slightly more uncommon than the red one.
It rotates the reel by depressing the yellow button, accomplished by a loud ´CLICK´.
I can´t be described as smooth at all.
The original version of this viewer had a flaw whereby part of the internal mechanism obscured the slide being viewed.

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Model N

(1992-1998)

Also known as the "New Lighted Viewer" it is unique in that it is the first viewer to utilize both ambient and artificial lighting. Developed by Tyco Research & Development, this ingenious design uses the viewer's own diffusers as reflectors when the room illumination is too low. Some of the early models had reel alignment problems, however, the problem was corrected in later viewers. Manufactured in China for View-Master, this viewer had a slight color change (from shinny to flat) and the feel of the plastic is a bit different on later models. It comes in bright orange with a large yellow knob.

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Mickey Mouse Viewer

(1989-1996)

Christmas, 1989 brought the advent of the first "character" viewer to be introduced by View-Master -- Mickey Mouse. A brightly painted Mickey face is fastened onto the standard red viewer thereby covering the back portion of the viewer. The faces are made in China and the viewers are assembled by View-Master employees.

Two different versions of this viewer exist.

Mickey Mouse with Round Sunglasses
Mickey Mouse with Square Sunglasses

The square glass version was unique to the European Market and made to accommodate the square shape of the Belgium Model J Viewer; whereas the round face was made for the U.S. Model L viewer.

Det finns också betraktare med andra figurer såsom, Big Bird (Sesame Street), Spöket Casper, Batman, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Tweety Bird och Darth Vader.

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Virtual Viewer

(1999- )

This View-Masters viewer has been made since 2000 by Mattel's Fisher-Price brand . The optical quality of the some of the early Fisher-Price Virtual-Viewers was very poor, with a great deal of distortion of the lens, however, later models had quite reasonable optics and gave a good quality enlarged image, similar to the Model D. If you are considering purchasing one and it is possible, try viewing a reel through it first to ensure you have one with good optics. The blue horizontal viewer , show in the top picture, uses a new method for illuminating reels, taking ambient light from above and then reflecting it on small mirrors. This gives a good, bright image.

Colorvariations:

Red
Orange
Pink
Green
Blue
Lightblue
Puple
Yellow
Silver

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Virtual Model O Viewer

(2002-)

This View-Master was made post 2000 by Mattel's Fisher-Price brand . The optical quality of the some of the early Fisher-Price Virtual-Viewers was very poor, with a great deal of distortion of the lens, however, later models had quite reasonable optics and gave a good quality enlarged image, similar to the Model D. If you are considering purchasing one and it is possible, try viewing a reel through it first to ensure you have one with good optics. The blue horizontal viewer , show in the top picture, uses a new method for illuminating reels, taking ambient light from above and then reflecting it on small mirrors. This gives a good, bright image.

Colorvariations:

Red with yellow eyepiece
Red with black eyepiece
Red with blue eyepiece
Blue with yellow eyepiece
Blue with green eyepiece
Blue with black eyepiece
Purple with black eyepiece
Turquoise with black eyepiece

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Talking View Master

(1970-1981)

There have been several types of talking View-Master. The three shown below are the Gaf and Tyco variants. The earlier model of GAF Talking View-Master was produced between 1970 and 1981. It ran off 2 'C' size cells. It used special reels which had a transparent plastic record attached. When the user placed the reel in the machine, the reel was advanced to view number one, next the users pressed the small white button, (visible in the right-hand photograph), this synchronises the record to the appropriate frame on the reel. As the reel was advanced for viewing, the user pressed the 'sound bar' which engaged the needle on the record. Sound quality was scratchy and left an awful lot to be desired.

How does it sounds? Check this out.

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