Fantastic Ensign Bellows Camera, Model All-Distance Pocket 2. England, 1930s.

This lovely antique camera, around eighty years old, is a folding model that stands out because of its attractive design and functionality. Made in England in the 1930s, it is an Ensign camera that was commercialized under the name of All-Distance Pocket Nº2. The camera is in very good condition and works fine; it can be used to take photos using the proper roll film. It keeps all its original component parts and comes in a reddish color natural leather case. All-Distance Pocket Ensign cameras were manufactured by Ensign Ltd. from London. The companys history started in 1824, when George Houghton and Antoine Claudet opened a glass warehouse in the English city under the name of Claudet & Houghton. Within the years the company changed its name several times, and in 1900 they bought a factory that would become the biggest camera factory in England. In 1926 Houghton merged with a trading company named Butcher and was renamed Ensign Ltd. The firm made many different models of cameras until 1961, when production ended. The article that we can see in these images was one of the different models that the company manufactured under the name of All-Distance Pocket cameras. Small in size, once opened we can see a plate with the cameras model and location attached inside the front lid. The black faux-leather that covers the case bears an embossed inscription with the manufacturers name, HOUGHTON BUTCHER. The camera mounts an Ensign All-Distance lens with patent number 271186 and Trichro shutter. The brown leather case that protects the camera is the original one and is well preserved, with the brass lock in good condition too. Original and attractive, this wonderful folding camera will shine in the best collection of antique cameras. Measurements: Width: 2.9 in/7.5 cm. Height: 6.4 in/16.4 cm.