Historical information

The ensignette was a vest pocket camera.
The Ensignette was one of the very characteristic camera types of Houghtons Ltd., London. This strut folding roll film camera of Houghton's "Ensign – British made" brand was an ingenious construction, a real vest pocket item when folded. One of the round framed impressions on its front plate says that it was based on patent 28464 of the year 1907. The Swedish engineer Magnus Neill had designed this first British all-metal camera of which ten of thousands were made. The camera was launched before Christmas 1909. It was ordered by distributors all over the world, for example by G. Gennert. (Ref: camerapedia)

Significance

The Ensignette was very popular because it was one of the first practical, compact cameras at an affordable price to the average man.

Physical description

A miniature bellows, roll film, camera - Ensignette No. 2. It is black metal with folding bellows. On the front is an aperture control knob. There is a window at the back for the film number.

Inscriptions & markings

Flag with Union Jack Ensign