Featured Classic

Spartus Full-Vue Cameras (1948-60)
Spartus Corporation, Chicago, IL

The Full-Vue is a reflex style twin lens box camera. It has a simple single shutter speed and set aperture and some models can be used with a flash. The camera had a art-deco faceplate that came in various patterns, so there are several designs to look for. These cameras use type 120 roll films and are similar to the Spartus Super R-I, which is identical to the Full-Vue except it has a focusing lens and adjustable f/stops. Book value (either camera): $10 +/-

Spartus Corp. first began as Utility Manufacturing Company of New York around the mid-1930s. It was during 1941 that Spartus bought out Utility and moved their headquarters to Chicago, IL. Spartus made it's own brand of cameras and also supplied re-badged or licensed cameras for many other companies as well. Spartus also operated under the company names Falcon Camera Corp., Spencer Company, and Spartus Corporation (this one around 1960).

In 1951 Spartus was purchased by employee and sales manager, Harold Rubin, who renamed the company Herold Mfg. Co. Around this same time, former President of Spartus, Jack Galter, started a new company called Galter Products Co., Chicago, IL. Galter made such cameras as the Hopalong Cassidy Box Camera, Hopalong Cassidy Minicam, The Majestic, The Picwick models, The Regal, Regal Miniature, and Sunbeam. Both companies ended sometime in the 1960s.

Spartus Full-Vue Camera
Click to see picture.

Spartus Super R-I Camera
Click to see picture.

Questions and Answers

Q :

Becky writes :

I have a Imperial Six-Twenty flash camera. Can you provide me with any info on it such as value and quality ?

A :

The Imperial Camera Corp. was formed in 1961 and was formally known as the Herbert-George Co. Many of the cameras they produced were the same and carried over from the 1950s. Your camera has a McKeown's book value of $1-$10. If it is a color version such as red or green, blue, tan, etc... it may be worth $20-$30.

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Q :

John asks :

I have a Kodak Brownie Movie Camera, f/2.7 lens, Model 2. I am not sure how long ago these were made or what it might be worth. It is still in it's original box and has some of the original paper work (instructions). Can anybody tell me what the value of this camera is or direct me somewhere that I might find out ?

A :

Kodak made the 8mm spool load Brownie Movie Cameras between 1951 and 1963. They can have either a folding frame or Newton viewfinder and had spring wind-up motors. They came with either a single lens (these were interchangeable) or a three lens turret.

Values are: $8-$15 (with three lens turret) or $1-$10 (single lens models). Add $5-$10 for good condition box and instructions. Your Model 2 was made in 1960.

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Q :

Sharon wrote :

I have a Kodak Folding Six-16 Compur camera, it has bellows and is in wonderful condition. I also have the leather carrying case. I'm interested in knowing when this was manufactured and it's approximate value.

A :

Because your camera has the Compur shutter it is known as the Kodak Six-16 Improved Model, and was made between 1934 and 1936. Value: $40-$60.

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