surprising store display

[Gavin Stokes <gstokes@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all.

I walked by a shoe store last week and was amazed to see a mint-condition
stereopticon in its window display.  It was a wooden unit with a table
stand, a bright yellow metal hood (the part that overhangs the lenses and
presses against your face), and apparently real, functional glass lenses in
it.  It held a few stereo view cards in its sliding card holder.  It
appeared to be of fine quality.

The lens hood was printed with the Rockport shoe brand-name, and the wood of
the viewer was impressed with "Van Cort USA".  The thing looked brand-new.
I went into the store and asked for Rockport's number, so I could try to get
one.  The Rockport rep I called was friendly and willing to help, but she
guessed that a freelance merchandiser had found the viewer and placed it in
the store on her own initiative.  I called the store and offered to buy it,
but the guy wouldn't sell it.  He didn't know who he had gotten it from, but
said it was a couple of years ago.  I have no idea what it's doing in the
window, since it has nothing to do with shoes or the rest of the display.

Has anyone heard of Van Cort, or can anyone help me find one of these things?

Thanks.

Gavin
gstokes@xxxxxxx


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