Ensign Box Model E29 Camera
(1920s-1930s)
Blue or black colored box camera made by Ensign Ltd., London, England. It has simple lens and shutter and uses type 129 roll film. Collector's value: Black: $10-$20. Blue: $25-$45.
(1920s-1930s)
Ensign Ltd. was originally created as a selling divison of Houghton-Butcher (merged in 1926) Manufacturing Co. in 1930. Many changes took place afterward including the complete destruction of Ensign's warehouse and manufacturing facilities in 1940 during WWII.
Many more mergers and operating changes took place over the years such as the merger that formed Barnet-Ensign in 1945, then Barnet, Ensign, and Ross in 1948, and finally Ross-Ensign in 1954. The firm ceased operations in 1961. It is interesting to note that through-out all the mergers and changes, George Houghton's sons and grandsons stayed and worked till the end.