Certo of Dresden introduced their folding hand camera disguised as a handbag in 1906. The camera was also sold by J. Lancaster of Birmingham as the Ladies' Gem camera and by Hesekiel of Berlin as the Pampadour-Kamera.

Certo Fabrik Photographischer Apparate und Bedarfsartikel Ges. was granted British patent number 24,962 on 6 November 1906. The patent described a camera 'in the form of, and convertible into, ladies' bags'. It described the camera: The camera slides vertically into the bag which is of U-shape, side grooves and a spring catch being provided. The back of the camera has a decorated hinged plate for focussing purposes. The front of the bag is open to allow the folding baseboard to open. When not in use for carrying a camera, the front is closed by a suitable plate.