The history of the manufacturers of Ful-Vue products is complex, full of mergers and consequently many different company manifestations. ‘Ensign’ began as a brand name in 1902, and had clearly gained enough prestige to be adopted as the company name in 1930. As a result, the first Ful-Vue was made by Ensign Ltd, the modified model by Barnet Ensign, the model II by Barnet Ensign Ross, and the Ful-Vue Super and Fulvueflex Sychroflash by Ross Ensign.
The company certainly faced obstacles, one of the most severe being the bombing of its offices at 88/89 High Holbourn in London on 24th and 25th September 1940. As the war continued, they were obliged to do their bit for the war effort and concentrate on the manufacture of items for the armed forces.
The company prided itself on the sale of high quality lenses in well-built cameras. Their folding roll film cameras were prime examples of their craftsmanship. Unfortunately though, they had an ongoing battle with the British public and the perception of British-made cameras as inferior to those made in Germany. They were also victim to their own staunch refusal to embrace 35mm cameras, believing that 120 film was far superior. As such they were unable to meet the increasing demand for 35mm cameras and by the early 1960s the company could no longer compete.
For more information, see: http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/companies1.html#E
and: http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ensigncamerapage.htm
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