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)

Spartus was a camera maker originally based in New York and named Utility Manufacturing Company. In 1941 it was bought by Spartus and moved to Chicago. 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 named it Herold Mfg. Co. while continuing to brand cameras as Spartus. The former Spartus president, Jack Galter, briefly sold some former Spartus cameras through Galter Products under new model names.

Cameras

Spartus

• Cinex
• Spartus 116, 116/616, 120, 620, Rocket (Box cameras)
• 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

Falcon Miniature image by John Kratz (Image rights)

• 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

Links

• Spartus at One To Seven [1]
• Herold cameras, Spartus cameras and Utility cameras at www.collection-appareils.fr