Aldis-Ensign Vertical Enlarger. Anyone have information?

[ndillon31]

Hi,

I recently saw an Aldis-Ensign Vertical for sale. From my research I've came up with very little. The most I've found is this:

"ALDIS-ENSIGN" Vertical Enlarger.
Variable Focus Model.

A choice of eight different sizes of enlargement can be obtained with this enlarger and there is no actual focusing.
Fitted for Electric or Gas (without globe or mantle) so simple and perfect are the adjustments that the alteration from one size to another can easily be made in the dark.
Model V2.--Enlarges a "Vest Pocket Ensign " negative eight various sizes from about 4-3/4 by 3 up to and including 11 1/4 by 7 3/8.
Made also in larger sizes, particulars on application.

Source: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/vest_pocket_ensign/vest_pocket_ensign.htm


Does anybody have information regarding when this enlarger is from, what film formats are usable in it, and the price of it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

-Nick

 

[ndillon31]

I should add that the price was around $40.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

A fascinating piece of equipment, although today certainly of much more interest to a collector than a practical user.
Age - I can only guess that this was made soon before or after World War I. The Vest Pocket size was 8 pictures on 127, each 6 x 4.5 cm.

 

[Bob F.]

Well, both Aldis and Ensign were British camera equipment manufacturers, so I'd guess it was made in the UK but that's about all I can suggest on the matter!

Cheers, Bob.

 

[ndillon31]

Is it worth the $40 as a collector's item?

Also, could any modifications be done to use other film types?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Is it worth the $40 as a collector's item?

Also, could any modifications be done to use other film types?

This enlarger is the approx. early 1920s equivalent of an inkjet printer with a card slot, in other words a device designed to be cheap and simple and to encourage amateurs with moderate levels of skill and motivation to make prints of their pictures. From the description it sounds as if it does not allow stepless variation of print size but only a choice of fixed magnifications and it will almost certainly be fitted with a cheap lens. I would say it is a collector's item only, not very desirable in general because not many people collect enlargers (you'd need an aircraft hangar to store your collection if you were series!). The wave of people dumping their darkroom equipment for little or no money seems to have subsided a little, but even so I am sure you could find a much more workable enlarger for around $40 (enlargers without filter heads or filter draws are very cheap).

Regards,

David