 1934Ensign Midget Model 55 |
 1934 Ensign Midget Model 22 |
Houghtons Ltd of London, England has a long history; beginning in 1834 as a glass seller, and later, Daguerreotype equipment under license. By 1902 Houghtons was selling a variety of cameras and accessories including the Sanderson camera and German imports. In 1915 the manufacture of cameras came to the fore with W. Butcher as a partner. In 1926 Houghton and Butcher merged to create Houghton Butcher with a marketing company under the name of Ensign. The manufacturing facilities were destroyed during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Under new owners, Houghton Ltd continued to manufacture cameras until 1961.