Lancaster claims establishment in 1835.

W. J. Lancaster died on 18 September 1925 aged 80.

The Lawley firm was established in 1780. Walter Lawley (b. 1851) was described as a pawnbroker and optician in the 1880s.

Established in 1858. Merged into Houghtons Ltd in 1904 though the company name remained for some time. Patents issued to Levi & Co. were in the name of M.L. Isaacs, L.M. Isaacs and F.M. Isaacs There is a strong connection with S. J. Levi & Co.

Meyer Lewis Isaacs (d. 1907).

There is a strong connection with J. Levi & Co.

The company was founded in 1887.

Lizars was a well established opticians, Matthew Ballantine took over the running of the company in 1882. Expansion into photographic items probably date from this time. Manufacture of cameras probably started around 1896. The distinctive Lizars cameras of their own design ceased by the end of WW1, they continued to sell re-badged cameras.

A note in the AP of 1908 states that Robert Ballantine has retired from the Buchanan St. business and is to continue in business under his own name (he moved to 99 St. Vincent St. as an optician and photographic dealer). The Glasgow business of Lizars is to continue under the management of Matthew Ballantine junior and Arthur Ballantine, both sons of Matthew Ballantine senior. The Photographic News of 1896 mentions a new workshop that has opened in Craignestock, Glasgow. A proposed move to Cape Town did not take place but it is mentioned in some advertisements from around 1902 and even on camera name plaques.

Retailers, with a few items sold under their own, R&M, name. Originally 'London camera Exchange' was a strap-line but was quickly adopted as the company name. Portugal House (2 Poultry) was on the corner of Poultry and Queen Victoria Street.

The LPOC was owned or managed by J.S. Johnson and Walter H. Thompson and later by Thompson alone. They produced a number of cameras in their 'Royalty' range, the Countess camera is shown in the YBP 1893, p. cx and appears to be based on J. E. Brown's designs. The Duke is shown in PA 1891, p. clxi.

The company was founded in 1854 by George Swan Nottage (b. 1822 d. 1885), Howard John Kennard (b. 1839 d. 1896) with whom there was a family connection was another director. Nottage was an Alderman of the City of London and its Lord Mayor in 1884. The manager in 1855 is shown in trade directories as being Frederick Jones. Later managed by J. Lillie Mitchell (d. 1912). L.S.C. are a little untidy in the use of company names and addresses often simply calling themselves The Stereoscopic Co. They ceased trading in 1922. Arthur Gask was a manager at London Stereoscopic in their later years.

From 1921 Marion formed part of APM and later APEM. The factory at Southgate dates from 1885.

George Bishop (b. 1834 d. 1906) was for some time senior partner in the firm, on his retirement his brother Frank took over the role. Frank Bishop (d. 1910) was managing director from 1901.

Alexander Cowan (b. 1836 d. 1922) was at one time manager of the Southgate works and previously at Hills & Saunders.

Retailer.

Meagher was established in 1859 or late 1858, in the Kelly directory for 1859 there is a reference to Meagher but wrongly categorised as a Photographer. Previously he had worked with Ottewill. Patrick Meagher (b. Ireland 1829, d. 8/May/1897) was living in Hammersmith in 1881. His nephew William Chamberlain, a photographer, was at the same address.

Coppice Row formed 44 - 49 of the new Farringdon Road created in 1863, Victoria St. was also absorbed at the same time. The Coppice Row name remained for a stretch of road near Clerkenwell Green. By 1901 the 21 Southampton Row premises were occupied by A. Rosenberg, model makers, electrical engineers and suppliers of X-ray equipment.

Cameras with the Coppice Row address are relatively rare.

William Middlemiss (b. 1851), described in the census of 1881 as a Photographic Apparatus Manufacturer employing 1 man and 4 boys. Living at 44 Priestman Terrace, Bradford.

Milliken & Lawley was founded around 1859 at 161A Strand. Prior to this the premises were occupied by John Milliken suppliers of surgical equipment. After 1859 John Milliken moved to Borough, the firm of Milliken & Lawley continued to supply surgical apparatus as well as lantern slides and other goods.

The firm was founded around 1856 by Murray and Robert Vernon Heath (b. around 1820 d. 1895). Heath set up as a photographer with premises at 43 Piccadilly in 1862. According to G L'E Turner Charles Heisch FRMS was the sole proprietor of the company by 1867 (this would tie in with the move to Jermyn St. and Heath remaining at Piccadilly, Murray may have died by this time). Robert C. Murray (b. 1841) was manager of J.J. Griffin c.1890 - c.1892, in 1881 he was living at the Pentonville address.

Henry (Enrico Angelo Ludovico) Negretti (b. 1818 d. 1879) and Joseph Warren Zambra (b. 1822 d. 1897) founded Negretti & Zambra in 1850 specialising in metrological instruments. Negretti had previously been a barometer maker. During the 1850s and 60s they were leading retailers of stereoscopic equipment. In 1918 the firm dropped their interest in optical instruments to concentrate on industrial and aeronautical equipment.

Prior to Pizzi & Negretti, Henry Negretti was working for Jane Pizzi, widow of Valentine Pizzi, from around 1840. He may have previously have been at 20 Greville St. as a glass blower.

In the 1880s, and probably before, the manager of the Holborn shop was R. Willats possibly connected with T. & R. Willats.

Founded by J. Guardia (d. 1906) and Arthur Samuel Newman (b. 1860 d. 1943).

Prior to Newman & Guardia, Arthur Newman was part of Newman & Simpson working out of 71 Farringdon Rd (c.1890 - 1891) and 11 Albermarle St. Clerkenwell (c.1888 - c.1890). S.J. Levi & Co. were also at the 71 Farringdon address around 1890.

Newman left the company in 1908 and was later in partnership with J.A. Sinclair.

The Farringdon St. address is on the west side between Charles St. and Clerkenwell, near Cross St.

The Newtons were an old established family working in diverse areas of globe making, patent agents and civil engineers. Advertisements claim establishment in 1704. John Newton (b. 1759 d. 1844) worked from 97 Chancery Lane from c.1780, John's son William (b. 1786 d. 1861) joined the firm forming J & W Newton. Miles Berry joined the firm in 1831 forming Newton, Son & Berry which lasted to 1841. Berry was the patent agent for Daguerre and was issued the first Photographic patent in England. William's son, William Edward (b. 1818 d. 1879) was part of the Fleet Street branch.

The firm were important suppliers of lantern slides and equipment they also sold cameras and equipment during the wet-plate and early dry-plate periods.

Newton was part of, or associated with, Metroplitan-Vickers from around the late 1940s. M-V and British Thomson-Houston (BTH) were both part of AEI.

Established around 1851, probably ceased trading in the late 1860s. In an 1867 advertisement they note that they have been manufacturing for Ross for 15 years and that Mr Collis was previously working for Ross for 13 years.

Founded in 1881 by W.J. Wilson (b. 1842 d. 1917) and T.C. Whitfield. 'Prize' comes from a prize offered by Joseph Paget in 1880 for the best dry plate process which was won by Wilson. Their first plates were called: XV, XXX and XXXXX; this indicated 15, 30 and 50 times wet-plate speeds. In 1921 they became part of APM, later APEM and then Ilford.

Predominantly wholesale manufacturers but some cameras carry their own name plate. An advertisement from 1884 says that Park was with Meagher for 7 years and 8 years with Hare. Another advertisement says that customers are able to choose the particular plank of wood that was to be used to make the camera. In the census of 1881 Henry Park (b. 1848) describes himself as a photographic apparatus manufacturer.

Advertisements claim establishment in 1852, in 1854 they were described as importers of foreign goods. They are known to have made cameras and lenses for other companies; one camera exists with the label "Lejeune & Perken made for J.T. Chapman" and lenses were supplied to M.W. Dunscombe.

The Kelly directories list the PACSA as at the Charterhouse address from 1877 to 1890 (though for three years they are not listed), they are also listed at 251 Goswell Rd (which is close to Charterhouse Square) from 1878 to 1881. In 1879 the secretary is shown as Capt. H. Kerr later as E. Huntley and by 1889 as T.V. Nolan with W. Whittingham as M.D.

PACSA stated that they either manufactured items or purchased from the manufacturers for retail to their customers. They operated somewhat like a a co-operative, people would buy an entrance ticket (5 shillings) and at the end of the year excess profits were distributed amongst ticket holders who had purchased goods to a total value of £20 or more. PACSA was a limited company with a paid up capital of £8,500, which is a very large amount. Since a dividend of 5% was paid to the shareholders there may not have been much to distribute to the ticket holders.

Retailer.

Purma Cameras Ltd head offices were in Queen St. Mayfair; Kirby St. then Sutton and later Glamorgan. Joseph Terrett, named on some Purma patents, had an address in Kirby St. William Barton Wood, a patentee of a Purma camera which was not put into production, had an address in Sutton.

Quta Co. is not in the BJA address lists. The Quta Photo Machine Co. is listed as being in Wimbledon until c.1908.

From the 1940s Rank started to consolidate several British optical and engineering companies, originally these had a connection with the film industry. These included: Gaumont British (taken over in 1941), GB-Kalee (part of Gaumont British), British Acoustic Films (a subsidiary of Gaumont British), Taylor, Taylor & Hobson (a subsidiary of British Acoustic Films), A. Kershaw & Sons (1947), Pullin (1964), Hilger & Watts (1968) and Aldis. Wray optical was already part of Hilger & Watts. GB Equipment was also listed in the 1940s, this may have been established by Rank or a subsidiary of Gaumont British. The companies were organised into British Optical and Precision Engineers Ltd. a subsidiary of Rank.

Established in 1896 when Henry Joseph Redding and E. T. Gyles left J. Robinson & Son. By the mid 1900s the photographic side of the business must have been trailing off in favour of other interests, by 1920 they specialised in spectacles. At one time they list themselves as makers of models, electrical instruments and optical toys.

As well as the Luzo Redding made tailboard cameras and a folding roll-film camera similar to the Sanderson finished in polished mahogany.

Retailer.

Ross was established in 1830 by Andrew Ross (b. 1798 d. 1859) the business was continued by his son, Thomas (d. 1870). Sir Charles Parsons acquired a controlling interest in the firm from 1 January 1921 and took over as chairman. Part of Barnet Ensign Ross Ltd from 1948.

Featherstone Buildings was a small street on the north side of High Holborn opposite Gt. Turnstile Street, the area was extensively remodelled by the Luftwaffe. The BJA 1892 shows illustrations of 112 Bond St. and Clapham Common.

In an 1891 advertisement they state that 'cabinet-maker's workshops' have been erected at the Clapham factory and that a stock of old mahogany has been secured, this would indicate that previously they were not actually making cameras.

Formed by the amalgamation of Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. and the sales division of Elliott & Son Ltd, (Barnet plates etc). Later joined by Ross Ltd.

Primarily distributors for Meyer and Mentor, Roth also produced some cameras of their own fitted with Meyer lenses.

Henry Burfield was a chemist and druggist, sometime in the mid 1850s he was joined by William White Rouch, from then they probably started to retail stereo viewers etc. The establishment date of 1854 is shown in later Rouch advertisements. Burfield & Rouch were adverting in the 1858 Photographic News.

Samuel W. Rouch (b. 1835 at St Agnes, Cornwall d. 1898) was the patentee of the Eureka camera. There was also a W.A. Rouch who ran the company in the 1900s, he was a photographer specialising in sports photography.