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Houghton Ensignette N° 1
France Version française
Photos by Jacques Bratières text by Jacques Bratières. From the collection of Jacques Bratières. Last update 2023-05-30 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in United Kingdom from (Circa) 1911 to (After) 1911.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 7139

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Houghton 

In 1836, G. Houghton, English and A. Claudet, French, create the company Claudet & Houghton which manufactures lenses and other glass-based products. In 1867, Claudet died and the son of G. Houghton replaced him, the company became G. Houghton & Son. It moved to London around 1903 to produce Ensign branded film and became Houghton's Ltd, the Ensign logo was created.
In 1905, a camera production factory opened. In 1908, it was the largest in Great Britain with over 1,000 employees. In 1915, the company joined with Butcher's & Son to form the Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Company. The camera lines of both companies continue to be produced under their own brand.
In 1930, a distribution company was created, it took the name of its brand and became Ensign Ltd.
In September 1940, Ensign's offices were bombed and destroyed, the company was liquidated in 1942. Houghton & Butcher's continued in business claiming ownership of the Ensign trademark. The production of materials for war prevents research into new products. In 1945, the liquidators of Ensign Ltd agreed to the creation of Barnet Ensign Ltd which brought together Houghton & Butcher's and Elliot Ltd (manufacturer of Barnet films).
In 1948, the lens manufacturer Ross joined the group to form Barnet Ensign Ross Ltd, then to become Ross Ensign Ltd in 1951. This last company produced expensive and high quality cameras: like the Selfix, the Autorange. The managers are convinced of the best quality of their products on medium format film (120) and do not make any research on 35 mm. Their cameras, which are expensive and aging, are overwhelmed by German 35mm cameras. The company disappeared in 1961.


Timeline and History of Houghton Ensignette

The Houghton Ensignette is a series of cameras created by Magnus Niéll, a Swedish engineer born in 1872. Starting in 1900, while residing in the United Kingdom, he applied for numerous patents for inventions related to cameras. In 1904, a patent for a wristwatch-shaped camera was filed in the United States (769,319 on September 6, 1904), France (347,110 on December 22, 1904), and the United Kingdom (21,295 on November 10, 1904). Niéll's address at that time was in the United States.

Ticka

Houghton uses the patent and manufactures the Ticka Watch.

After a few patents for cigar cases and business card holders, Niéll filed patent number 28,464 in December 1907. This patent pertained to a camera small enough to fit in a pocket but capable of producing negatives as large as possible compared to the external dimensions of the camera. The patent described the general shape of the camera, with arms connecting a front part to the body containing the film. When folded, the bellows fit perfectly into the rear body. The folding mechanism, the position of the key, the positioning of features, etc., are described in detail, and the resemblance to the Ensignette is evident. The dimensions of the camera are not specified since the principle described in the patent can be applied to camera of different sizes.

Houghton used the patent, in partnership with Austin Edwards, who manufactured the films, to construct the Ensignette.

This is a metal folding-type camera. This new model uses a special film format called E1, which was a significant risk for Houghton. Its release, just before Christmas 1909, was accompanied by an intense advertising campaign. There were only two simple models, without focusing, with only one instantaneous speed and the T pose, featuring either a meniscus or an Ensign Anastigmat lens. The front face fins are flat. The camera was a great success, and shortly thereafter, other models with TTH Cooke f/5.6 and Goerz Syntor f/6.8 lenses were produced.


By the end of 1910, the first models with distance adjustment were released: model 1d with Aldis lens.
In 1911 or 1912, Houghton embossed a circle on the ends, giving them more rigidity. The 1z model with distance adjustment and a Zeiss Tessar lens is announced.
In 1912, tens of thousands of cameras had been sold, and Houghton decided to produce a slightly larger format camera: the Ensignette No. 2, with a different film format: the E2. The camera was very similar to the original model but had dimensions of 13 x 6 x 2 cm. The viewfinder was now pivotable. As a result, the original Ensignette became the Ensignette No. 1.
In 1913, the success was such that Kodak began producing films for both Ensignette models: the 128 and 129, even though Kodak did not manufacture any cameras using these film formats. On the other hand, Houghton manufactures Ensignette No.2 cameras referred to as "De Luxe," featuring improved performance and a spring-folding viewfinder.
In 1914, Houghton produced the Ensignette Junior 2J. This camera had nothing to do with the rest of the range. The number of different Ensignette models available for sale decreases significantly due to the inability to acquire German lenses and shutters.
In 1920, Houghton Butcher patented an Ensignette made of aluminum with oval bosses (aluminum being less rigid than brass, it required longer bosses), and production commenced. Some initial models have only the aluminum front, with the body remaining in brass. The shutters now had minimum speeds of 1/20, 1/40, 1/60, and bulb (B) and time (T) modes. The films had real spool axes, and most apertures were diaphragm-controlled. These models of Ensignette No. 1 and No. 2 were called Aluminum Ensignette.
In 1922, Houghton manufactured the Popular Ensignette with three diffrent lenses. Like the Junior, this camera had nothing in common with an Ensignette. Meanwhile, Kodak was promoting its 127 film format, which competed with the 128 and 129 formats.
In 1923, Houghton adapted its Ensignette No. 2 and transformed it into the Vest Pocket Ensignette using the 127 format.
By 1925, only one model of the Popular Ensignette remains. Houghton modifies the Vest Pocket Ensignette into the Vest Pocket Ensignette De Luxe, featuring a Dallmeyer f/6.3 lens.
By 1927, all Ensignettes disappeared from catalogs except the Vest Pocket, which lasted until 1931. The 128 and 129 films remained available until 1941.

Design of the Ensignette

The Ensignette cameras are strut cameras. Two models were produced: the Ensignette No. 1 starting in 1909, and the Ensignette No. 2 from 1912. Three other models, although named Ensignette, are not quite part of the same family.

Body
For models prior to 1920, the Ensignettes were made of brass, and later models were made of aluminum. The accessories were often nickel-plated. The standard models had a smooth black paint finish. "Presentation" models were also available, featuring a body plated in nickel, silver, or gold. The back of the camera did not have a hinge; instead, it was held in place by two slight bumps on the side of the frame, which locked into corresponding grooves on the edge of the back. The latch was made of a slider with a groove or protrusion that locked into a corresponding protrusion or groove on the frame. An inactive light-tight window in the middle of the back allowed for counting exposures. In newer models (especially the Ensignette No. 2), a raised shape (protrusion, arc, or line) served as a grip to open the back. In older models, the film spools were held in place by simple clips, while newer models (after 1912) had removable spool holders.

Square projecting ends
The deployment and folding of the camera are easy and reliable due to the protruding ends of the front panel and the locking notches of the folding mechanism. These ends serve as finger grips for opening and as support feet for the camera in the vertical position. For the vertical position, there were two models of feet: first, pivotable feet, and then sliding feet. Lastly, at the center of the fins, a hollow space accommodates mechanisms, adjustments, the shutter, and the lens.

Bellows
It is made of very thin leather. There are 3 or 4 folds for the bellows of the Ensignette No. 1. These folds are faint and widely spaced (3 cm between crests), with the central crest supported by a rigid rectangle inside the bellows. The Ensignette No. 2 features a true folded bellows (1.8 cm between crests and 7 to 9 folds). The bellows of the Ensignette No. 2 De Luxe are slightly shorter (likely due to a shorter focal length). The bellows are usually black, while some "presentation" models have red leather, and exceptionally green. Some Ensignette 1 bellows contain a flap that can fold down during photography. This helps prevent unintended exposures (a feature also found on some Ensign Midget cameras in 1934).

Material
The ends, initially, are flat and made of black enamel brass. They undergo significant stress during the deployment of the camera and eventually become bent.

In 1911, to address this issue, Houghton adds an indentation onto both ends to increase their rigidity.
In 1920, A.J. Dennis patents a construction method for an aluminum camera, and production starts immediately. Since aluminum is thin and brittle, the indentations on the ends become oval-shaped to provide sufficient rigidity.
Similarly, certain aluminum models have the back equipped with embossed reinforcements.







Viewfinder
On the older models, the viewfinder is recessed and fixed in place. However, on later models, the viewfinder becomes pivotable and sometimes even equipped with a spring.
A detachable viewfinder, which attaches using a clamp to one square projecting end, was available with certain models or as an accessory.

Lenses
The low-end models are equipped with simple meniscus lenses with a pinhole diaphragm.
The other models have used a wide range of lenses, ranging from Houghton Ensign Anastigmat to Berthiot Olor or Carl Zeiss Tessar lenses with iris diaphragms.

Shutters
The early models offer a choice between I (instantaneous) or T (time) shutter settings. The more advanced models feature Compound shutters that can reach speeds up to 1/300.

The most common shutter modes found on Ensignette cameras are:

I (instantaneous), B (bulb), T (time)
1/20, 1/40, 1/60, B, T
1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T


Films
The Ensignette No. 1 cameras use a film initially called E1 (original designation), then E28, and later known as 128 (by Kodak).
The Ensignette No. 2 cameras use a film initially called E2, then E29, and later known as 129 (Kodak).
Both films provide six exposures per roll. These films were manufactured by various brands, including Austin Edwards, Barnet, Kodak, and Selo (for the 128 format).
Other brands also produced the 129 format, such as Agfa, Bayer, Ferrania, Gevaert, Ilford, and Voigtlander.


The variations

The multiple possible combinations, including decorative elements, lead to an estimated production of at least 50 variants. It should be noted that some variants only differ by reversed inscriptions or markings.

1 Meniscus
2 Goerz
3 TTH Cooke Luxor
4 TTH Cooke
5 Carl Zeiss Tessar
6 Carl Zeiss Triotar
7 Ensign
8 Beck Symmetrical
9 Beck Neostigmar
10 Berthiot Olor
11 Harringtons Plutar
12 Aldis Plano
13 Clément Claror
14 Wollensak Velostigmat
1 Black
2 Red
3 Green
1 Black enamel brass
2 Nickel-plated brass
3 Golden brass
4 Silver brass
5 Black enamel aluminium
1 127
2 E1 or E28 or 128
3 E2 or E29 or 129




Lens Bellows Material Film
Stamping Focus.   Shutter




1 Any
2 Round
3 Oval
1 Fixfocus
2 Focusing

  1 Ensign Simplex-Auto
2 Deckel Compound
3 Ensign
4 Ultix 3
5 Wollensak Ultex
6 AGC Derval
7 Autre


    Bosses Lens Focus Shutter Bellows Material

Ensignette N° 1(1909-27)
128 film for 6 pictures 21/4 x 1 1/2 (inch)
Ensignette N° 1
1 1 1 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1
2 1 1 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1
2 1 1 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1
2 1 1 7 2 2
Ensignette N° 1
2 7 2 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1 2 12 2 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1
2 1 1 7 1 3
Ensignette N° 1
2 2 2 7 1 1
Anastigmat Ensignette N° 1   1 4 2 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 1 Aluminium
3 3 1 7 1 5
Ensignette N° 2 (1912-27)
129 film for 6 pictures 3 x 2 (inch)
Ensignette N° 2
2 1 1 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 2K 2 7 1 7 1 1
Ensignette N° 2 Aluminium 3 1 1 7 1 5
Ensignette N° 2 Aluminium 3   1 7 1 5
Ensignette N° 2 aka "De Luxe"
differs from 'Ensignette N° 2 by its lens/shutter assembly
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2
1 10 2   1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2
1 10 2   1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 Aluminium
3 13 2 3 1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 B
1 4 2   1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 B
1 4 2 6 1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 B Aluminium
3 4 2 3 1 5
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 N
1 7 2 6 1 1
Ensignette de Luxe N° 2 Z
1 5 2 2 1 1
Vest Pocket Ensign (1923-31)
127 film for 8 pictures 15/8 x 21/2 (inch)
Vest Pocket Ensign
3 1 1 1 1 5



Ensignettes around the world

In France, Ensignette cameras were available through catalogs from Photo-Plait, Manufrance, Fleury-Hermagis, Photo-Hall, Omnium Photo, and likely many others.
In Italy, Filotecnica Salmoiraghi in Milan sold Ensignette No. 2 cameras under its own name. Some models have original cracked paint. Bietehholz in Turin distributed original Ensignette cameras.
Similarly, in Japan, Ueda Shashinki-ten manufactured a copy of the Ensignette called the Starette.
Distribution agreements were also signed with:

Gennert for the United States,
Harrington's for Australia,
Houghton Butcher Eastern for India,
Asanuma & Co for Japan.

__________

The Ensignette No. 1 cameras with a round bossing can be found with various lenses. In the case of this particular example, it features an Ensign f/6 lens, but a more exotic Goerz lens can also be found. These models represent the high-end range of Ensignette No. 1 cameras, offering aperture adjustment, distance adjustment through a linear slider coupled with a wheel, as well as a large, foldable, detachable viewfinder.

Houghton Ensignette N° 1





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