The Ensign folding bellows camera was manufactured by Houghton-Butcher Ltd, this company was responsible for producing various cameras and accessories including the Ensign. Houghtons dates back to 1834 when George Houghton Joined Antoine Claudet as a glass seller. In 1839 they secured patent rights to the newly developed Daguerreotype process for photography. On Claudet's death in 1867 the firm became George Houghton and Son. The firm combined with W. Butcher in 1915 for manufacturing and the two merged in1926 a selling arm, Ensign was set up in 1930. On the night of September 24-25, 1940, enemy action completely destroyed Ensign's premises at 88/89 High Holborn. The business continued with variations of the name until 1961. R & J Beck company, a renowned British optical manufacturer founded in 1843.A black folding bellows camera in a leather case labeled H. E. Hill No 2 Yarra St Alphington. The camera expands to 22 centimetre length lens. The lens is labeled Beck Symmetrical Lens. There is small round yellow label in the camera - THE "ENSIGN' H Ltd. London. A white mark on a black circle above the lens combining a H and L may signify Houghton-Butcher Ltd. There are no designated makers names on the camera. folding camera, ensign cameras, houghton ltd., houghton and butcher ltd., r&j beck lens, h. e. hill