The Eljy was introduced in 1937, these cameras have a black trim to the body and shutter, the Super Eljy was introduced in 1938 and had chrome trim. Production of the Eljy stopped in June 1940 by which time, according to the advertisement with this example, 25,000 had been made. The camera was re-introduced in 1948. Later post-war models did not have an everset shutter. Advertisements from before the war give the shutter range as being 1/25 - 1/125 (4 speed), the version with speeds of 1/10 - 1/150 (5 speeds) was probably introduced just before pre-war production ended. Post-war models initially had a top speed of 1/150 later this became 1/200.

The price was £5.15.0. The early, black trim, model continued to be available after the introduction of the Super, in Britain it was sold as the Minor or Junior. The black trim model was later available with an f4.5 lens.