Ensign daylight enlarger by Houghton & Sons Ltd.
Houghtons Ltd
Category
Photographic technology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Glass
Measurements
490 x 252 x 205 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525164
Summary
Ensign daylight enlarger by Houghton & Sons Ltd. A rigid pyramidal wooden body covered in black imititation leather, with clips at the narrow end to attach a plate holder for the negative. The base is hinged and attached by a sliding clip, and inside is a glass plate to hold the photographic paper (up to full plate size) in place. Behind the negative holder is a fixed focus lens and cut-off shutter. Markings; on the base "Made by Houghtons Ltd. London. British made. Ensign (with logo)"; on the pyramid, a plate with "The "Ensign" Enlarger H Ltd London"
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
Houghtons Ltd, manufacturer