ENSIGN Model 55 en Model 22 with box | Subminiature camera

Two vintage Ensign Midget compact folding cameras; Model 55 and 22 with case/box and instructions.


You are bidding on two vintage Ensign Midget compact folding cameras; Model 55 and 22, with case/box and instructions.
These are two wonderful little collector cameras. In good condition — nice collectible cameras.


Description
It was introduced in 1934, based on a design by Swedish engineer Magnus Niéll - designer of the Ensignette. Production was halted due to war work in 1941.
The original models—with a roughly diamond-shaped nameplate surrounding the lens—had a 3-speed shutter and either a fixed-focus ('All Distance') lens with two apertures (A/D model), or a focusing Ensar-Anastigmat lens with 5 stops (A/N model). In 1935, the cheaper 'model 22' was introduced, with a single-speed (+T) shutter, simpler viewfinder, and other simplifications. The earlier models were renamed '33' and '55' at this time.
The folded size of the '55' was 91mm x 44mm x 21mm, and the film frame measured 31.5 x 41.5mm on negative stock approximately 35.8mm wide (film spool width).
The Ensign Midget 55 miniature features an Anastigmat Ensar f lens: 6.3, made in London in 1935. It is a metal-bodied (pressed steel) miniature folding camera with tapered supporting struts that fold into the body. When extended, the struts are designed to hold the front panel in a rigid position. It has a simple viewfinder that folds out from the back and top, as well as a brilliant finder that is normally closed for vertical views but can swing out for horizontal views. The camera has a variable focus lens, focusing from 3 feet to infinity by turning the front cell of the lens until the pin projecting from it faces one of five positions—inf., 12, 8, 5, 3. The aperture is adjustable between f/6.3 and f/22. This camera uses Ensign E10 film, which is no longer available except as expired film. It is possible to roll 35mm film into old backing paper.
It is one of a set of midgets with model numbers 22, 33, and 55. These numbers indicate the cost when new—namely, 22 shillings, 33 shillings, and 55 shillings. A shilling equals 5 pence in today's money. However, in 1935, this was a considerable amount. For example, 22 shillings equated to £75 today. There was a special edition of silver-painted Midgets created for the 1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary.

Specifications Model 55

Manufacturer: Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co Ltd
Produced: 1934 - 1941
Classification: Miniature
Body Type: Folding Strut
Construction: Metal
Film Type: E10
Film Width: 35mm
Image Size: 1¼ x 1⅝
Number of images: 6
Lens Type: Ensar-Anastigmat
Focus Type: variable
Focal Length: 55mm
Focal Range: 3ft - inf.
Aperture Type: Iris
Apertures: f/6.3 - f/22
Shutter Type: Variable
Shutter Speeds: T, B, I (1/25, 1/50, 1/100)
Open size (w x h x d): 90 x 45 x 62 mm
Size closed (w x h x d): 90 x 45 x 18 mm
Weight: 155gr


Specifications Model 22

Manufacturer: Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co Ltd
Produced: 1935 - 1941
Classification: Miniature
Body Type: Folding Strut
Construction: Metal
Film Type: E10
Film Width: 35mm
Image Size: 1¼ x 1⅝
Number of images: 6
Lens Type: Meniscus
Focus Type: Fixed
Focal Length: 55mm
Focal Range: 5ft - inf.
Aperture Type: Fixed
Apertures: f/11
Shutter Type: Rotary
Shutter Speeds: T, I(1/60s)
Open size (w x h x d): 90 x 45 x 62 mm
Size closed (w x h x d): 90 x 45 x 18 mm
Weight: 125g


History
Following his success with the Ensignette, manufactured by Houghtons Ltd, Niell, now residing in New York, USA, continued to refine his ideas on the subject of pocketable cameras. His design for the Midget is possibly better known than that of the Ensignette. Niell applied to register his design as early as December 31, 1917, and although it was granted British patent 117,399 on July 18, 1918, the design was not adopted until Ensign Limited began manufacturing it prior to the camera's introduction in 1934, for reasons I will examine later. Even a casual glance at the drawings accompanying the specifications for Niell's patent clearly reveals the features of the Midget as it later went into production with Houghton-Butcher. The main goal of Niell's design was to produce a camera that, when folded, had no protruding surfaces to catch on clothing or other objects, and secondly, had tapered struts that folded neatly into the body of the camera but, when extended, exerted pressure on the front panel to hold it rigidly in place.
When it first appeared in 1934, the Ensign Midget was accompanied by a blaze of publicity. The covers of Ensign catalogues featured photographs of young women showcasing the new camera, and inside, the introduction was described as 'A thrilling event.' Ensign also capitalized on the Midget's size with an advertising slogan suggesting that you 'Wear it always... like your watch.' The B.J.A. of 1935 reviewed it thus: 'There can be no doubt that the camera will sell on sight, because of its minimum size and stylish appearance. A girl will call it 'sweet,' and want to be given one.' Unsurprisingly, the camera sold well. Ensign initially manufactured only two models of the Midget, the A/D and A/N, both of which featured an Everset 3 Speed shutter. Optically, the A/D was simpler, equipped with only an All-Distance lens and two basic rotary stops, small and large; it cost £1 10s. The A/N had better optics, a focusing Ensar-Anastigmat lens, and five stops; it cost £2 10s. Both cameras came with a morocco leather slip case for storage and were sold in an attractive orange box with Air Force blue printing.
In 1935, some new additions were made to the Ensign Midget range. A more affordable 'Popular' camera was introduced, called the Model "22," which differed in many ways from the earlier Midget cameras. Looking first at the camera's outward appearance, it was given a completely restyled front panel. This model featured an attractively stripped lens plate with the words Ensign Midget written diagonally across it. Secondly, the distinctive folding frame finder, fitted to earlier models, was replaced by a much simpler 'swing-up' finder on this camera, and no swing-out reflective finder was fitted. The Model "22" had the same patented 'All distance lens' as the original A/D camera, but the shutter was again of a simpler design, being a single-speed I.T. type. Inside, the camera was also changed. The earlier models had swing-out spool holders to aid loading, but this model only had a curved flap to cover the space where the film spools were housed. The Model "22" was sold with a cheap fibre slip case and packaged in a yellow box with red printing to distinguish it from the more expensive models. However, it was made to the same standard, and although simpler and cheaper to manufacture, it was still capable of producing good results. Personally, although it was the cheapest model in the Midget range, I find it the most attractive, and it is possibly the rarest too. The introduction of this camera led to the adoption of new classification codes for the range. The new camera was called the Model "22" and sold for 22 shillings. The A/D became the Model "33" and sold for 33 shillings. The A/N became the Model "55" and sold for 55 shillings. Very logical, but unfortunately, when prices rose later in 1938, the logic was somewhat lost! In 1935, two special models were also introduced to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary: the S33 and S55, silver-painted versions of the Model 33 and 55. These cameras came in a plush-lined presentation box and had smart grey leather slip cases. Surprisingly, these versions sold for the same price as the ordinary black cameras. It is also surprising that so few are around today, as later Ensign heavily marketed the silver versions as ladies' cameras, still at the same price as the ordinary models.
Following the outbreak of war on September 3rd, 1939, Ensign Ltd. began to capitalize on war fever, advertising the Midget as: '...a bare half inch longer than a packet of ten cigarettes, and no thicker. It goes into a tunic pocket, with room to spare. It is essentially the camera for the man in camp. Just the thing to give a fellow who is called up or to a woman on Service.' Headlined in their catalogue for 1940 as 'A Remarkable War-Time Camera,' the advert goes on to suggest: 'keep an Ensign Midget war-time diary,' urging the reader to: 'Buy a Midget and start now.'.
Ensigns advertising was extremely effective, and the Midget sold very well, as is evident from the number of cameras around today. It was also very popular with those who used it. So much so that some manufacturers were still producing film for the Midget as late as the mid-seventies.
Although a popular camera, Ensign Limited was forced to cease production, along with the other cameras it produced, around 1941 as the company became more involved with war work. Later, following the end of hostilities, Barnet Ensign Limited, as the company had then become, discontinued production of the Midget. Instead, they decided to introduce a new range of cameras. The all-new Commando, which had been designed and produced specifically for the armed forces during the war, and remodelled Ful-Vue and Selfix cameras. The Midget was in production for only six years, yet it achieved remarkable popularity, selling in vast numbers. So, why did the company discontinue the camera after such a short production run? Perhaps it fell victim to the merger of the Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. and Elliot and Sons Ltd., when Barnet Ensign Ltd. came into being. The rationalization that followed saw the demise of many models. We shall never know.

See pictures for cosmetic. All the pictures are from the object itself. What you see is what you will receive. The camera itself has not been tested by myself.

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