Spartus Press Flash, 1939 - 1950
Scope and Contents
Box camera ; 120 roll film ; image size 5.5 x 8 cm; built-in flash reflector uses Edison base flash bulbs. (McKeown, p. 899)
Dates
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1939 - 1950
Creator
- Utility Manufacturing Co. (Manufacturer, Organization)
Access
This material is open for research use by any registered reader.
Biographical / Historical
Introduced as the Falcon Press Flashand Falcon-Abbey Electricamera by the Utility Manufacturing Company in New York, this was the first camera with built-in flash reflector. The Abbey branding may relate to another New York company, Abbey Photo Corp., who sold flash synchronizers. It used old-style Edison screw-base flash bulbs, and 120 film rolls for exposures 2¼×3¼". It had two exposure settings, one for "bright" light and one for "cloudy and flash" situations.
The name changed to Spartus with the Chicago company's acquisition of Utility. Aside from the cosmetics of the front plate, the same design was marketed from 1939 to 1950 under several names, including Regal Flash Master, Falcon Press Flash, and Galter Press Flash.
The body was a ribbed bakelite mouldings.
Extent
1 item (1 camera) : glass, metal, Bakelite ; 8 X 13 X 17 cm
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496
speccoll@utulsa.edu