1946 Donald Duck Walt Disney 127 Roll Film Camera Herbert George, Chi. Bakelite

Description

1946 Donald Duck Walt Disney 127 Roll Film Camera Herbert George, Chicago, Bakelite. Used
The Donald Duck camera was manufactured by the Herbert George Company of Chicago, Illinois and commissioned by Walt Disney Productions, in 1946. It was constructed of a rigid shock-resistant Bakelite plastic with a molded built-in view finder located on the top of the camera. It was capable of capturing twelve exposures, 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 inch in size, on number 127 color or black & white roll film. It featured a fixed focus lens and simple leaf shutter that was approximately 1/30 of a second. This was the first camera patented by George L. Isreal in 1946. The original models were olive drab in color, with later ones in black. The back featured a unique embossed art work of the Disney characters, Donald and his Nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. On the inside you will find the patent number,”D-141846” This number corresponds to the submitted general drawing of this camera to the patent office. The patent dates from July 10, 1945. It was deposited by George L. Israel, for one 14 year duration. It protects the design of the camera. It is specified that the part resembling bellows is rigid and is not telescopic. The inside back cover also tells you to use #127, A8 or G27 film. The number of cameras made is unknown but the price was .98. [Description from HistoricCamera.com]
This was my first camera, new in about 1948, used to take a few pictures, then I graduated to a Brownie Hawkeye, processing my own film using my Mother's Pyrex baking dishes, which was a major problem. The Black camera is all original, including the original neck strap. The shutter works fine, as does the film advance. It's a very nice toy and an even nicer display.If you had one when you were 8 years old, as I did, you might like to have one again. All the online sources I found say it is Bakelite, hence more valuable. No film is included and there is no take-up reel.