Ensign Cupid miniature camera by Houghton-Butcher.
Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1922 - 1928
Materials
Metal, Glass, Plastic
Measurements
74 x 100 x 85 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524654
Summary
Ensign Cupid miniature camera manufactured by Houghton-Butcher, London. Simple metal bodied camera in black crackle finish in a "T-section" shape. Made by British manufacturer Houghton-Butcher under their Ensign brand, c.1922. The viewfinder is a simple folding frame. The camera uses dual red windows to shoot in 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" format, giving "twelve pictures for the price of six". Hinged metal handle on side. The rear section of the body slides down from the front to load film. Two red windows - for doubling the number of (half-sized) exposures on a film roll, by using each number twice; this is possibly the first camera to use this arrangement. Meniscus achromatic f/11 lens. Guillotine of two vertically sliding plates working in front of lens, spring powered, T & I settings. Markings: Metal plate on front: "Ensign Cupid, Patents No 194897 & 207637. Designed & Constructed by the Houghton-Butcher Manfg. Co. Ltd. London. England". Printed on orange label inside camera body: "To obtain the best results with this Camera ask for - 2¼ B Ensign Speedy Film. Made in Great Britain".
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986
Makers and roles
Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. Ltd., manufacturer