Wonder-Scope
Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1930s
We’re delighted to have found three versions of this 1933 wood & metal rarity produced by Raymond R. Foute, an inventor who developed an automatic stop for "talking machines" in 1920. The packaging says the viewer is created for “Tru-Vue” photographs and the stereoviews have a Tru-Vue logo, so it’s been said that this is an early experiment of Tru-Vue, Inc. from Rock Island. We’re not convinced there’s a relation, but we’re still researching.
Ivory White Model
This version has a solid-back cardholder and came with 10 glossy, numbered stereoviews from the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair.
Dark Green Model
This version has a open-back cardholder and came with 10 glossy, numbered stereoviews of Chicago and 7 matte-finish stereoviews with no logo and a hand-drawn line down the center.
Brown Model, Shorter Focal Length
Like the model above, this one has an open-back cardholder. But unlike either of the two models above, this one has a shorter focal length. This came with 9 of the branded, glossy stereoviews and 5 of the stereoviews with the hand-drawn line and no logo.
