4x5 Stereo Viewer

[ex836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (James R. Motley)]

I recently acquired a 4"x 5" stereo slide viewer (or X-Ray
viewer). As it has practically no identification, I'm hoping
someone on Photo-3D has one like it and/or has information as  
to its origin and purpose.  Physical description is as follows:
--Body, swivel base, and arm that holds the viewing hood are
cast aluminum painted the "Ivory" color which was common with
medical and dental equipment some years ago and still seen in
some equipment.  The curved and rounded design reminds me of 
the "streamlined" design of some cars in the 30's and 40's.
--The viewing hood which holds the sliding lenses and prisms
is made of heavy gauge sheet metal nicely formed with no sharp
edges.  In the center of the hood is the B&L logo and "Bausch 
& Lomb Opt Co, USA". (There is no model number or other ID 
anywhere else.) Each lens and prism assembly will move laterally
to change the interocular distance from about 2" to about 2 5/8"
(about 67mm-I did not measure precisely). 
--Distance from prism to the illuminated slide about 8 1/4". 
--In addition to the fluorescent illuminated frosted glass for 
two 4"x 5" slides, there is another frosted glass at the top.
This has sliding masks on each side to permit masking down to
about 4 1/2"--like a preview illuminator.  There are three 8 watt
fluorescent tubes arranged so that the front and the top are each
illuminated by two of the three tubes (clever!).
--The lamp wiring and the "GE" Ballast (Cat. No. 58G649) leads
me to suspect that the device could have been manufactured during
the period 1950-1960.
--Overall length about 17 1/2", width about 12" and height
leveled about 12".  Weight 20 pounds.

My ever growing "Round Tuit" list contains a mental note to take 
stereo photos with a pair of 4x5 Crown Graphics or one on a shift
bar or some of each--hopefully before the 21st Century.  A stereo
pair of 4x5 B&W unmounted slide film of an ordinary street scene
came with the viewer so that will suffice until I get round tuit.

Again, will appreciate info from anyone familiar with this
device.

Jim Motley      ex836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   


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