Herbert George Official Cub Scout Camera |
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Manufactured or assembled in USA from (Circa) 1961 to (After) 1961.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1318
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Herbert George
The company founded in 1945 by Herbert Weil and George Israel specialized in producing simple cameras designed for a youthful and fashionable clientele.
In addition to models bearing the names of various American Scout associations, they used themes from comic strips (Donald Duck) or youth-oriented movies (Roy Rogers), as well as current events that interested young people. References to space were recurrent, with "Mercury" being the name of the American space program launched in 1958, and the word "Satellite" appearing frequently. "Delta" is also the name of a rocket, while "Corvette" evokes speed and stylish cars.
Herbert George offered his cameras in very youthful and unusual colors (sometimes combined), which was unconventional in the world of photography. He optimized production by using a limited number of shapes, with some of these shapes sharing components such as the back and buttons.
The table below lists these shapes based on the cameras encountered so far.
In 1961, the company changed hands and was renamed Imperial, a name that often appeared on Herbert George models. The appearance of the Imperial logo indicates that the cameras were produced after 1961.
Shape | Flash | Format | Logo Imperial | Colors | Models | |
Shape 1![]() |
Classic box shape with a viewfinder on top. | With or without double pin on top | 620 | Black, red button Black cream Black metal button |
Adventurer 620 Imperial Six-Twenty Imperial Herco 620 Official Cub Scout Camera Official Girl Scout Camera Roy Rogers |
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Shape 2![]() |
Double pin on top | 127 | Dark grey/Light grey Red /Red Black/Black Turquoise/Turquoise Green/Green Cream/Cream Black/Dark grey |
Boy Scout of America Imperial Satellite 127 Official Girl Scout Camera Satellite II Mercury Satellite 127 |
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Shape 3![]() |
This shape is likely extrapolated from shape 2. | Bulb flash with integrated round reflector. | 127 | Yes | Dark grey/Light grey Dark grey/Dark grey |
Fedella Imperial Lark |
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Shape 4![]() |
Asymmetrical shape. The viewfinder is located on the left (when facing the camera). | Double pin near viewfinder | 620 | Black, cream button Chocolate, cream button Black, red button |
Imperial Debonair Official Cub Scout Camera Tower Companion |
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Shape 5![]() |
Symmetrical shape. Shutter on the left, button on the right. Various designs between the viewfinder and the lens. | Double pin on right side | 620 | Yes and No | Cream, brown button Turquoise, Dark blue button Light grey, black button Black, red button Red, black button Green, green button Light green, green button |
Imperial Girl Scout Imperial Mark XII Flash Official Girl Scout Camera |
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Shape 6![]() |
Forme 1 basculée à 90° /Rarely used shape. | 620 | Green | Savoy Mark II | ||
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Shape 7![]() |
Rarely used shape. | Double pin on top | 127 | Yes | Delta | |
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Shape 8![]() |
Folding camera in the style of a "Klapp." | Black and lightgrey Black and white |
Stylex | |||
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Shape 9![]() |
Pseudo TLR | 620 | Black and beige | Imperial Reflex | ||
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Shape 10![]() |
127 | No | Black | Donald Duck Happi Times |
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Shape 11![]() |
This shape is likely not due to HG. | Flash Cube socket. | 127 | Yes | Imperial Cubex IV | |
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Shape 12![]() |
This shape is likely not due to HG. | Built-in electronic flash. | 126 | Permalite Electronique Flash | ||
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Shape 13![]() |
Double pin on side | 620 | Yes and No | Black Grey Blue Black, red buttons |
Tower Snappy Savoy Corvette |
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Shape 14![]() |
This shape is likely extrapolated from shape 2. | Bulb flash with integrated rectangular reflector. | 127 | Imperial Mark 27 |
The brand appears to have produced cameras exclusively in the 620 and 127 formats. The introduction of a 126 format camera (Shape 12) in the lineup suggests that it was a product of subcontracted production, likely indicating a departure from their usual manufacturing focus.__________
Traduction de Sylvain Halgand
This camera is a variation of Debonair.
To understand this great number of Herbert George cameras referring to scouting, it is advisable to make a short recall on the history of this movement and American specificities.
Before going further, I must announce that I do not have an a-priori on this movement, as long as there remains far away from the political and religious extremists.
Scouting was born with the whole beginning from the twentieth century, in England. At this time, General Baden-Powell publishes a book on the military scouts. Baden-Powell is a hero of the war of Boers, and its experiment is recognized through this book of advice. Quickly, it realizes that its book of advice is used by young people avid of open-air life. Baden Powell then decides to develop a concept of "peace" scout. In 1907, it puts to the test its theories with a group of young people on a British Island. Then it rewrites its book for a strictly peaceful use. “Scouting” has just been born.
Since scouting developed, with sometimes dangeurous drifts, but which are fortunately only minor cases. In Europe, the scouts politicized, affirmed religious memberships. In the USA, Scouts are represented by only one national organization, even if there are several groups. :
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scout of America were rested by an editor of Chicago in 1910. Already at this time, there are several American groups taking as a starting point the scouting of Baden-Powell, but William Boyce (the editor) is first transformed her group into structured organization of great width, sometimes by having recourse to justice to do the housework.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts are addressed to the too young children (before 10 or 11 years) for integrate the Boy Scouts.
Camp Fire girls
Founded in 1911, by the wife of one of the founders of the BSA.
Girl Scouts of America
Founded in 1912. The girls, according to their age, are of the “Daisy”, the “Brownies”, the “Junior”, the “Juniors” or the “Seniors”.
Venturers
Movement of very recent existence.
One understands easily that the success of the movement was accompanied by traditional “ merchandizing”, in the shape of Tee-shirt, ties, badge… and cameras. It seems that Herbert George had the monopoly for the latter.
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