View-Master Reels information and pictures

View-Master Reels

We know of 5 general types of View-Master reels.

Chronologically, they are: (To see an example of each, click on the type name)

Hand-Lettered*, Gold Foil
ca. 1939-1940. Reels were made of dark blue paper with a gold foil center. There were 2 envelope styles printed in either black or blue on gold foil.
Hand-Lettered*, Blue Band
ca. 1940-1941. Buff colored front with a blue ring around the images, and a solid blue back.
Hand-Lettered*, Buff
ca. 1941-1944. Early buff reels are buff-colored on the front and blue on the back. On later reels, the back may be buff or grey.
Hand-Lettered*, White
ca. 1944-1946. White front but the back may be white, grey or buff.
Typeset, White
ca. 1946-present. White front and back. Lettering is clearly printed but several styles were used over the years.

*Letter style appeared to be hand-lettered but was actually printed.

We know of 9 types of View-Master sleeves.