Unusual early Realist viewer

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just finished working on a Realist viewer, a very early model.  I can 
tell it is old from the black metal focusing knob (instead of red 
plastic), the unplated contacts, old painting that peels off in the 
lamp housing.  These viewers are late 40s.

The only earlier Realist viewer that I've seen is the one that is now 
in BobH's hands.  In addition to these features, Bob's viewer has 
something very unusual.  It has a red button with a logo painted black.  
The logo has a different lettering than all the viewers I have seen.  

Ron Zakowski told me that this viewer is very early (not a prototype 
but as early production model as it gets) and very valuable and I should 
do my best to get it back from BobH.  I just hope that he is not reading 
this digest... ;)  

The funny thing is that I had this viewer for sale, posted in photo-3d 
and no one bought it.  I had posted the details on the unusual button.  
Long after the sale, BobH asked if it was still available.  He was not 
interested on the collectability.  Just the sharp lenses.  Now he has a 
very rare viewer with very sharp lenses!

One of these days I'll lure Bob to sell it back to me!  In the meanwhile,
if any of you has a red button viewer with a black focusing knob, 
painted lamp housing with "flat" reflector, I am interested in buying
it or trading it.  If it has a black lettering in the red button
switch, so much the better!

George Themelis


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