Difference between revisions of "Spartus"
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Spartus is at the center of a confusing constellation of camera brands, many of which originated from same location on W. Lake St. in Chicago. These include [[Monarck Manufacturing Company|Monarck]], [[Falcon]], [[Spencer]] and others. | Spartus is at the center of a confusing constellation of camera brands, many of which originated from same location on W. Lake St. in Chicago. These include [[Monarck Manufacturing Company|Monarck]], [[Falcon]], [[Spencer]] and others. | ||
| − | In 1951 its head of sales, Harold Rubin, bought the company and renamed it '''Herold Mfg. Co.''' while continuing to brand cameras as Spartus. Around this time, former Spartus president Jack Galter briefly sold some former Spartus models through his [[Galter|Galter Products Co]]. Around 1960 the Herold Mfg. Co | + | In 1951 its head of sales, Harold Rubin, bought the company and renamed it '''Herold Mfg. Co.''' while continuing to brand cameras as Spartus. Around this time, former Spartus president Jack Galter briefly sold some former Spartus models through his [[Galter|Galter Products Co]]. Around 1960 the Herold Mfg. Co. returned to the name Spartus Corporation. |
Revision as of 19:11, 14 August 2011
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| Falcon Miniature image by John Kratz (Image rights) |
The Utility Manufacturing Company was founded in New York in 1934[1], and offered several camera lines, including folding cameras and box cameras. But it is most associated with the brand Falcon and a line of "half frame" 3×4 cm cameras for 127 film—for example, the Falcon Miniature. These were molded bakelite cameras in an eye-level style quickly becoming popular in other "minicams" of the day, such as the Argus A.
In 1941 Utility was bought by Spartus Corp., and moved West to Chicago, Illinois. Previous and new model lines then appeared under the branding Spartus. Many of the cameras were molded plastic with distinctive styling.
Spartus is at the center of a confusing constellation of camera brands, many of which originated from same location on W. Lake St. in Chicago. These include Monarck, Falcon, Spencer and others.
In 1951 its head of sales, Harold Rubin, bought the company and renamed it Herold Mfg. Co. while continuing to brand cameras as Spartus. Around this time, former Spartus president Jack Galter briefly sold some former Spartus models through his Galter Products Co. Around 1960 the Herold Mfg. Co. returned to the name Spartus Corporation.
Cameras
Spartus
|
| Regal Flash Master, remarkable bakelite compact design with flash, 1939 by Utility Manufacturing. Also sold as Spartus Press Flash, Falcon Press Flash and Galter Press Flash. image by Steve Harwood (Image rights) |
- Cinex
- Spartus 116, 116/616, 120, 620, Rocket (Box cameras)
- Spartus 120 Flash Camera (bakelite)
- Spartus 35 F & Spartus 35
- Spartus 4 (folding)
- Spartus Co-Flash
- Spartus Full-Vue
- Spartus Junior Model
- Spartus Press Flash
- Spartus Rocket
- Spartus Six Twenty
- Spartus Spartaflex
- Spartus Super R-I
- Spartus Vanguard
- Spartus Vest Pocket (folding)
Utility Mfg. Co.
- Carlton Reflex
- Falcon (Bakelite)
- Falcon (folding)
- Falcon Flex
- Falcon Junior (Folding Bakelite)
- Falcon Junior 16 (Box)
- Falcon Midget 16 (box)
- Falcon Minette
- Falcon Miniature
- Falcon Minicam Junior
- Falcon Minicam Senior
- Falcon Model Four
- Falcom Model F & Model FE
- Falcon Model G & Model GE
- Falcon Model V-16
- Falcon Press Flash
- Falcon Rocket
- Falcon Special
- Falcon-Abbey Electricamera
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pages 941–943
Links
- Spartus at OneTwoSeven.org
- Herold cameras, Spartus cameras and Utility cameras at www.collection-appareils.fr
| Companies of Chicago (Illinois) |
| Adams & Westlake | Central Camera Co. | American Advertising and Research Co. | Bernard | Burke & James | Busch | Calumet | Candid | Chicago Aerial | Chicago Camera Co. | Chicago Ferrotype Company | Deardorff | De Vry | Drucker | Galter | Geiss | Herold | Imperial | Kemper | Lennor Engineering Co. | Metropolitan Industries | Monarch | Montgomery Ward | Pho-Tak | QRS Company | Rolls | Sans & Streiffe | Sears | Seymour | Spartus | The Camera Man | United States Camera Co. | Western Camera Manufacturing Co. | Yale | Zar | Zenith |
| Chicago in depth: The Chicago Cluster, a bakelite trust? |
