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Spartus Press Flash (1941-1950)
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This bakelite box has a strange design and no
sophistication but it is the very first camera to ever have a
built-in flash reflector.
This feature did not made of this camera a reference of industrial
design but it probably explains its very long commercial career.
From 1934 to 1950, this box appears under different designations in
the catalogues of the different companies which owned its production
line.
Actually, the genealogy of this camera is not
simple…
 | This camera has been initially designed c.1934 by the
Utility Mfg Corporation
of New York. At that time, it is
marketed under the designation of de Falcon Press Flash.
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| In 1941, the Spartus Corporation
takes over Utility Mfg
Corp. and relocates its activity in Chicago.
The camera is still listed in the catalogue
but its designation becomes Spartus Press Flash
(presented model here).
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 Jack Galter
was an inspired businessman who made his fortune creating
and marketing different goods such as cigarette lighters, irons,
bike lights, sunglasses, etc...). Starting 1940, he is taking an
interest in the design and the manufacturing of basic cameras. At
that time, Jack already owns several companies and uses them to
market the cameras he is producing. These ones are sold under
different brands such as Monarck, Spencer,
etc.
In 1950, Jack takes over the
Spartus Corporation which then joints
Jack's galaxy of companies. Starting that time, the
Press Flash camera is sold under
different designations such as : Regal Flash Master,
Falcon Press Flash, Galter Press Flash.
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| In 1951, Harold Rubin, Head of sales
at Galter
Products takes over the Company
of his boss, Jack and renames it Herold Mfg. Corporation.
The production of basic cameras is pursued but the not the
Press Flash
which is no longer listed. |
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From a technical perspective, the Spartus Press Flash
is a very basic and simple camera. It uses film 120
which is positioned using an aluminum wheel located on the right
side of the camera's body.
The shutter offers two speeds : « Instant »
and « Time ». Regarding aperture, same simplicity with
only two apertures : « Bright » ans « Cloudy & Flash ».
Lens is a meniscus and the focal distance is f:120mm.
The big flash reflector is designed
to accept bulbs n°0 or n°40. In order to put in a new bulb (or to
remove a used one), you need to press on a tiny knob located on the
top of the camera, right under its plastic handle.
The power supply for the flash is given by two batteries similar to
type AA, but with a smaller diameter. These two batteries are stored
in a dedicated compartment which runs along the right side of the
camera and which is closed with a big screw. For those who could be
tempted to use the flash of this camera, they must strip off the
skin of two AA batteries in order to reduce their diameter and let
them enter the baterries' compartment.
On the left hand side of the camera, a long
internal viewfinder appears to be the counterpart of the batteries'
compartment.
Usually, the desgin of this camera is improved
by a round cover stamped "Spartus", which kindly hides its
large flash reflector. Unfortunately, the cover of mine was lost.
Last, but not least, because this camera has been sold under
different designations and brands, several variants exist... for the
greatest pleasure of collectors. |
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