1950 / Herbert George Herco Imperial / Vintage Camera

The Imperial Erco camera, also known as the Herco Imperial 620 Snap Shot, is a simple plastic box camera produced by the Herbert George Company of Chicago, which later became the Imperial Camera Corporation. It was introduced in the early 1950s as an affordable, user-friendly camera costing about $3.99, designed to be accessible to most households. The camera uses 620 film and features a fixed-focus lens locked at an aperture of f/11, with a fixed shutter speed of 1/60 seconds, activated by sliding a small silver knob. It includes a simple viewfinder on top and two sockets for an optional flash attachment, plus a red window on the back to check the frame count. The frame is advanced by rotating a plastic or metal knob, and the camera embodies a modest Art Deco style with a silver faceplate. It is well-regarded for its simplicity, charm, and connection to Chicago’s manufacturing heritage.