The Ilford Photographic Company, now ILFORD Photo (née Iford Imaging; Town Lane, Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 7JL, England) started in 1879 in Ilford, Essex, north east London, UK, when Mr Alfred Hugh Harman (b 1848) set up a business in the basement of his house on the corner of Cranbrook Road and Park Avenue (where the Cranbrook pub' is now). His business expanded and in 1880 moved to Roden St, trading as the Britannia Works Company, later called Ilford, Limited. Wikipedia says:

"Their (Ilford's) headquarters were based in Roden Street which was demolished during the early 1980's to make way for a new one way traffic system to help with the town's traffic problem. A Sainsbury's supermarket now stands on the former site" (also, see the 1976 entry, below).

However, the 'Welcome to Ilford' site says "Britannia Music is now on or near the old site."

The ILFORD HQ address was 29 - 37 Roden Street, Ilford IG1 2AB; Tel. 01 478 3000; Telegrams PLATESILFORD. The Technical Service Department building, managed by Jack H Coote (see 1952, below), used to occupy the space now occupied by Sainsbury's car park.

Roden St, and what is presumably the Sainsbury's Super Store, can be seen lower LH corner of this map. The Park Avenue intersection with Cranbrook Road can be seen towards the upper LH corner.

My thanks to Anthony Smout for sending me the scans of the Selo Films print envelope, above.

Considering the range of Selo films advertised, its likely that the envelope dates from 1937 or thereabouts. The envelope claims "Three new films of special grain fineness for use in Leica, Contax and similar cameras."

There seems no acknowledged derivation of the word 'Selo', originally coined in 1920 and which Ilford retained in their 'popular' amateur film 'Selochrome' until c1968. One theory, based upon a phrase within a 1930s book 'How It Is Made', which includes a chapter on film making, is that 'Selo' is an abbreviation for 'Sensitised Celluloid', though a simpler suggestion has been made that it is merely an abbreviation of the word Celluloid.

'FP' was originally an abbreviation for Fine grain Pan film and 'HP' for Hypersensitive Pan. Hence, strictly grammatically, these film names should be abbrevaited to F.P. and H.P. In Amateur Photographer magazine for November 1946 there is an Ilford advertisement which refers to Ilford Selo H.P.3 (note the full stops after the H and P, suggesting abbreviations). By the 29th October 1947 edition, the word Selo has been dropped, but the film is still H.P.3. Then, in a January 1951 AP, the advertisement is for HP3 (no full stops, i.e Ilford have decided to make HP3 a name, not an abbreviation).

The original basis for the following 'Ilford chronology' was the Ilford Imaging (before ILFORD Photo) web site, but I am constantly adding to it through my own research. Information relating to Cibachrome development and the 'CIL' products emanating from Ciba Lumière (see the entry for 1962, below) come from Andy Holliman (whose further contribution can be seen on the Sportsman History page). I'm also indebted to Martin Reed of SilverPrint who provided me with some facts relating to the years 1975 thr' 1999 which I have incoporated into my own. Items marked (Ref: D.M) have been provided to me by Doug McKee.

There is always uncertainty about the accuracy of historical information so do e-mail if you can improve on the information contained below.

The list of Ilford plates, flat film and roll film in the following table is abridged. A full list can be found in the book 'Silver by the Ton - A History of Ilford Limited 1879-1979' by RJ Hercock and GA Jones. The publishers are McGraw Hill, the ISBN is 0-07-084525-5.

ILFORD Photo's own chronology 'Why Ilford? - History' can be viewed at http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutilford/page.asp?n=1

The company (still privately owned) was registered as 'Britannia Works Co. Ltd' on 17th December. First Board Meeting was held on 2nd December.

Kodak began manufacturing in Harrow, Middlesex, UK around mid-1891, future competitors to the Britannia Works Co. and Ilford. Kodak's Managing Director was Mr.W.H.Walker. "The evergrowing popularity of transparent rollable film, the improvements made in the Kodak (camera) and the enormous sale of bromide paper necessitated manufacturing in the UK."

Introduction of 'EMPRESS' (9ASA) Plates

Introduction of PROCESS (0.55ASA) Plates

Introduction of 'CHROMATIC' Plate (4.5ASA)

In 1897 and again in 1903, Eastman Kodak approached the company with a view to a take-over or an amalgamation, but nothing came of these proposals.

Ilford market their first camera, the Falling Plate magazine cut film camera (though records suggest it was in the process of being commercialised from 1899). This quarter plate magazine 'box' camera was advertised as able to be loaded in less than a minute with sufficient cut film to take 40 exposures before reloading. Ilford manufactured their own special film with a cardboard backing. The illustrated camera is within the collection of the National Museum of Science & Industry, Bradford & London, inventory number 1976-537 (now the National Media Museum).

The 1903 & 1904 BJPA gives the price of the camera as £5 with the Bausch & Lomb Rapid Rectilinear f8 lens in Unicum Shutter (T,B, 1-1/100s; as in the NMSI collection) or £8.8s (£8.40p) for the Ross Symmetric Anastigmat lens in Lopa Shutter. Ilford Special Rapid Films, in boxes of 20, cost 3s/4d (16.5p) postage extra. A camera price of £5 is equivalent to around £350 in 2005 money, based upon a comparison of the retail price index.

Ilford Special Rapid Panchromatic Plates (16ASA)
The pack illustrated holds 1 dozen (12) 5" by 4" plates.
Sensitive to all colours, the plates needed to be handled & processed in total darkness.

The 'Selo' company was formed with the purpose of joint R&D and the sensitising of roll films. Ilford at this time imported its requirements of film base, first from the Celluloid Corporation (USA) and later from Gevaert (Belgium).
Selo was formed by Ilford, Imperial, Gem and a consortium of seven other UK manufacturers, eventually under the umbrella name of APM (Amalgamated Photograhic Manufacturers Ltd; London). Selo films were sold by these companies under their own labels. The 'Selo' company was situated in Woodman Road, Brentwood, Essex. Although the name 'Selo' was officially dropped in 1946 (see below) the Brentwood factory continued to be known as 'The Selo Factory' until it was sold and the site subsequently levelled in the 1970s.

APM was formed in 1921 (as APM 1921) and brought together seven British companies, viz: Kershaw Optical Co Ltd; A Kershaw & Son Ltd; Marion & Foulgar Ltd; Rotary Photographic Co Ltd; Rajar Ltd; Paget Prize Plate Co. Ltd; Marion & Co Ltd.

What is the derivation of the name 'Selo' ?? No one seems to know. Could it stand for 'Sensitised Celluloid' film? Or maybe it just refers to its purpose to 'Sensitise Roll Films'.

Ilford Cinematograph Film

Iso-Zenith plates, 5ASA (post-1961 speed rating). The text gives the formula and development times for the recommended ID-2 Metol-Hydroquinone (M.Q) developer and ID-11 M.Q Borax developer. Also, a formula for the recommended fixing bath.

First attempt at manufacturing a subtractive type of negative-positive colour 'tri-pak' roll film in conjunction with a small concern called Colour Snaps Ltd. The process proved difficult and was wound up in 1930.

Introduction of Ilford Soft Graduation Panchromatic Plates, 28ASA - would have been 56ASA in 1961 revision - reflected in the plates having an Ilford speed rating Group E.

Also, Ilford Ultra-rapid Roll Film, 28ASA.

There is no doubt there were significant mergers between various of the smaller UK photographic companies and Ilford, Limited, at this time. The exact chronology and commercial details are somewhat obscure and the following should only be taken as a guide to events.

Ilford acquired the Mobberley site (owned by Rajar Ltd since 1903), in the take-over of the various companies within the Selo organisation formed in 1920. APM, a part of Selo from 1921, was split and a new organisation formed, called APeM (Amalgamated Photographic Equipment Manufacturers ). APeM subsequently (maybe by 1929) became part of Ilford, consisting of Rotary Photographic Co Ltd; Rajar Ltd; Paget Prize Plate Co. Ltd (see picture, courtesy of John Wyllie), and Marion & Co Ltd. The other part of APM (camera manufacturers Kershaw Optical Co Ltd; A Kershaw & Son Ltd. and Marion & Foulgar Ltd) became Soho Ltd.

Wellington & Ward joined Ilford by 1930. Ilford had already (by 1920) some commercial involvement with other old-established UK photographic businesses, viz: The Imperial Dry Plate Co.Ltd; Thomas Illingworth & Co.Ltd and The Gem Dry Plate Co.Ltd, but possibly the merger with APeM lead to Ilford exercising more direct control over all these previously small independents. Also, the Selo company had effectively already come under Ilford control by 1925. The name 'Selo' survived in the film name 'Selochrome'.

Quoting from a Supplement to 'Ilford News' Series 1, Number 6 (see 1939 below) "The effect of this great merger was a unique pooling of experience, knowledge and craftsmanship. The best brains of the companies concerned became at once concentrated in the research and production of one company's products, with the result that many important new products were produced and improvements effected in various existing grades."

Between 1918 and 1939 Ilford acquired directly or through subsidiaries some dozen businesses engaged in the manufacture of photographic goods of various descriptions. During the 1930s a number of distribution centres were set up in different parts of the country and factories or branches were established hi five European countries and in India and Australia.

During the next 30 years, Ilford's Mobberley site began to concentrate on the manufacture of photographic paper. The large rolls of paper were transported to the Essex factory for cutting packing and distribution.

This red & black covered 36 page booklet is entitled "ILFORD Plates and Films" and bears Ilford's steamer logo above the words "Ilford Limited, Ilford London". It is presumed to date to February 1934 from the B34 footnote on the back cover.

It describes the various plates, flat film and roll films available at that time, with useful information relating to their H&D speed rating, exposure and development (tank and dish). It concludes by considering negative defects and describes reduction and intensification techniques, plus how to avoid dichroic fog, 'frilling', halation and coloured patches.

Selo panchromatic (see entry above) is rated at H&D (Hurter & Driffield) 1,200; perhaps 100ASA, barely medium speed by modern standards. Possibly it was this film which was improved and became Hypersensitive Panchromatic (HP) - see below.

Alongside is an Ilford advert for Selochrome roll film from the rear cover of a June 20th, 1934 issue of the UK magazine "The Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer" which subsequently became Amateur Photographer (AP) magazine, still on weekly UK sale in 2008.

The scan was sent to me by Marc Akemann, a US member of the APUG internet forum.

Click here or on the thumbnail to see a larger image.

Ilford Hypersensitive Panchromatic (HP) 160ASA and Fine Grain Panchromatic (FP) 28ASA roll film introduced.

Ilford Ltd acquired an interest in Dufay-Chromex Ltd. (14-16 Cockspur Street, London; later Dufay Ltd.) for whom it started to manufacture a reversal colour film of the additive type under the brand name Dufaycolor. Dufaycolor had previously (from 1932) been available in England only as 16mm & 9.5mm ciné film, but Ilford's expertise and finance enabled it to be marketed for still photography in 35mm, roll, sheet and film pack forms. Although processing was relatively simple (and instructions were published), Ilford offered a service for roll films.
A 120 size roll film, for 6 exposures, cost 3s/4d (16.5p), over three times the cost of an 8 exposure b&w film (see 1936, below) and developing (to colour transparencies) cost another 1s/6d (7.5p). Hence, 6 Dufaycolor transparencies cost a total of 4/10d (24p), more than £10 in 2005 money.
See some Dufaycolor examples taken about 1936 by John Daly's father, Melvin.
The Dufaycolor film had a speed rating of around 10ASA (some sources say 8ASA, 21Sch), a third of a conventional b&w film of the day. (Ref: Brian Coe, "Colour Photography, The first hundred years 1840-1940", page 72).
Accessories for Viewing Dufaycolor roll film transparencies were available - see the 1938 leaflet sent to me by Brian Wilkinson.

Ilford came under the control of the Ministry of Aircraft Production at the outbreak of war in 1939 and post-1945 it didn't resume an interest in additive colour (prior to WW2, Ilford had already started R&D into subtractive colour). However, Dufay Ltd survived into the 1950s and Dufaycolor film was still being disposed through Amateur Photographer 'small ads' in the early 1960s; viz. a 100ft 35mm bulk roll is priced at £1 and a 50ft roll at 12/6d (62.5p). Processing kits for four films are priced at 12/6d (62.5p) or processing vouchers (presumably for one film) at 6/- (30p).

This 32 page 180mm by 120mm booklet explains techniques for making lantern slides from existing negatives, by contact or reduction printing. "Of all the fascinating bypaths of photography it is doubtful whether any gives such complete satisfaction and permanent pleasure as the making and exhibition of lantern slides. ...it enables the photographer to see his pictures at their very best, and to share his pleasure with a large or small circle of friends. The amateur photographer with scientific or artistic inclinations.....can producer lantern lectures of the utmost educational value."

Recommended Ilford lantern plates are 'Special' for brilliant black tone, 'Warm Black' for warm image tone, 'Alpha' for slide making by contact and 'Gaslight', which can be handled in subdued artificial light and especially suitable for weak negatives. The rear page shows the booklet to be printed in England with a J35 footnote, indicating October 1935.

Amateur films are listed as Selochrome, the extra fast roll film for fine grain, Selo Fine Grain Panchromatic roll film, fully colour corrected and of extreme speed and fine grain, and Selo Hypersensitive Panchromatic Roll Film, "the fastest panchromatic roll film made".

Selochrome 'Super Speed' film pack, containing 12 flat films size 4¼" x 3¼" (Size No.18).
Introduced in 1935, with a speed rating (ref: Silver by the Ton) of 50ASA (using the post-1960 speed rating standard).
"Highly ortho, anti halo, multi coated."
The pack illustrated bears a 'develop before September 1939' instruction and is Batch No.75C6B-F876.

The instruction leaflet with this film pack was printed in April 1934 (D34) but is presumably an instruction leaflet appropriate to all contemporary Ilford Film Packs so may not have been printed for this specific film. 'Silver by the Ton' lists the Selochrome 'Super Speed' film pack's first appearance to 1935.

A cardboard box that originally contained 16 quarter plate size (3¼"x4¼") Ilford Process Plates.

I believe their use was in high contrast copying. The recommended developer was ID13, which was Ilford's developer for 'photomechanical work' resulting in 'screen' or 'line' negatives or positives. After the plates were developed & fixed the resulting image could be cleared (using Farmer's reducer which increases contrast) or bleached and intensified.

All the relevant formulae appear on the front of the box, beneath the title 'ILFORD PROCESS PLATES', and the box has the footnote D35, indicating its selling date was probably April 1935.

A copy of "The Ilford Message" magazine [volume 1 number 3] was auctioned through ebay January 2006. I've no information on this publication, so anyone who recognises it, I'd be interested to learn more. The ebay vendor described it as being supplied FREE by Ilford to various photographic shops & distributors, to promote Ilford products. This particular edition contains a centre spread on the 'new' Dufaycolor film (probably an announcement relating to Ilford's involvement in this technology which began in 1935, see above).

A 28 page booklet entitled "ILFORD book of Formulae", footnote A37, hence presumed January 1937.

It lists formulae for Ilford Developer (ID) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 (i.e. the famous ID-11, same as Kodak's D-76), 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, and 36, and advises on their specific uses. There is also much other chemical information on toning prints, hypo eliminator, emulsion hardening, rapid drying, desensitization, intensifiers and reducers, fixing baths, developer stain removing etc etc.

The 22nd edition of 'Panchromatism', price 6d (2.5p) by ILFORD Ltd. Pictures courtesy of Roy Hammans. A letter from Ilford (letter heading shown 1940, below) was contained within the book when Roy purchased it. The letter was in response to questions about information in the book. The book has no date and so it has been assumed to date to 1937, as the 23rd edition (see below) is known to date to May 1938.

The book contains the separate Ilford 'colour' test chart, illustrated alongside.
The text below the colour test chart can be read here. "If a photograph (of the chart) is taken using a (b&w) panchromatic plate and a filter giving full (colour) correction, the two halves of the test chart should approx. match.

Ilford started the free distribution of an 8 page News Sheet called 'Ilford News - for Photographic Societies' to subscribing photographic clubs. The issue alongside (Series 1 No 2) carries the information:

"We should indeed be ungrateful did we not publicly express our thanks for the many hundreds of congratulatory letters which we have received on the first number of "Ilford News" and also for the many excellent suggestions sent us. We shall endeavour to make use of these suggestions as it is our desire to make this journal of the utmost use to all society and club members. It has been made clear to us from your letters that "Ilford News" has received a spontaneous welcome and we shall spare no effort to maintain the standard of the first number for all issues of the journal."

Issue 2 must have been published in December 1938 as it carries the holly framed message "A Happy Christmas to all Photographers; Ilford Limited".

23rd edition of the 44 page Ilford Ltd booklet entitled 'Panchromatism', price 6d (2.5p) and dated May 1938, illustrated courtesy of David Mugggleton.

As with the 22nd edition (see 1937 above) it deals with the needs of getting a truly correct rendering of all colours in terms of their grey scale brightness, set against a colour scale (see 1937 for a picture of that scale).

Apart from any pictorial or scientific requirement, an accurate 'colour' balance of subjects recorded on black and white film was necessary for the production of colour 'separation' negatives as a step towards producing additive colour slides or subtractive process prints e.g. by the trichrome carbro process.

A 40 page booklet produced by Ilford Ltd and dated August 1938 (H38 - illustrated courtesy of David Mugggleton) entitled 'Winter and Night Photography ~ Indoors and Out'. Ilford used this booklet to appeal to amateur photographers who might otherwise put their camera away from october to April, expecting the winter light to be too dull for picture-making. Ilford stressed that this reason was now made obsolete with the introduction of Selo Hypersensitive Panchromatic roll film and Hypersensitive Fine Grain Panchromatic (H.P.2) film for 35mm users. In both cases the film speed had recently been increased to H&D 3,500; 31° Scheiner (maybe 200ASA in modern terms).

The Selo films 'family' at the time consisted of Selo Ortho (26°), Selo Chrome (29°), Selo F.P (27°) and Selo H.P. (31°), all being roll films, and Selo Chrome (27°), Selo F.P (24°) and Selo H.P.2 (31°) for 35mm cameras.

Roll film H.P.2 and F.P.2 were introduced in 1939, see entry below.

Series 1 Volume 6 of 'Ilford News' (see above) carries a Supplement with the heading "Sixty Years of Progress".

"Sixty years of applied research and strenuous work in the service of photography is the proud record of Ilford Limited whose Diamond Jubilee is celebrated this year."

Apart from the Chairman (see left) Major-General Sir Ivor Philipps, K.C.B; D.S.O, others named are Mr F.F.Renwick (research dept); Dr.Olaf Bloch (photographic emulsions); Dr.Kendall (sensitizing dyes in the Rodenside laboratory - see the 1940 entry for his contribution to replacing the developing agent Metol with Phenidone); Dr.G.B.Harrison & Dr.S.O.Rawling (Selo Laboratories).

An Ilford Limited letterhead, dated January 1944 (thanks to Roy Hammans). It shows its war time heritage by saying ILFORD LONDON 'Contractors to His Majestys Government'.

The 'Paddle Steamer' trademark is on the LHS and the SELO trademark is on the RHS.
Beneath the Paddle Steamer it says 'Manufacturers of Ilford and Selo Photographic Materials'.

Ilford Micro Neg Microfilm.

Ilford HP3 Roll & 35mm Film first appeared. Initially 125ASA, later 200ASA (around 1952-53). In 1960 the 200ASA emulsion was revised to 400ASA (but there was no actual speed increase, it was in recognition that with better exposure determination methods at that time, there was no longer need for all film manufacturers to include an exposure safety margin). The 35mm cassette shown here must be one of the last, being rated at 400ASA but pre-dating the release of HP4 in 1965.

Ilford launched FP3 and HP3 plates, the latter 200ASA which was higher than the first release of HP3 films.

The pictures are believed to show the early and later packaging colours.

During the war years Ilford were proud of their Lecture Team 'which carried on'.
"Throughout the war many photographic societies carried on as usual and the Ilford team of lecturers kept their dates and fulfilled their obligations. This is a service Ilford maintained throughout the war to foster and maintain enthusiasm."

Lancelot Vining, FRPS (Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and Member of the Council), FIBP (Fellow of the Institute of British Photographers), was one of the Ilford Team of Lecturers. Mr Vining was still providing this Ilford service to photographic clubs in 1952/53, together with Donald Allen, Karl Pollak and D S Moran.
Lancelot Vining spent 40 years in Fleet St as Art Editor and Press Photographer. He was also author of the famous book 'My Way with a Miniature', first published in 1941 and reprinted in 1942, '43 and '44. He had a regular column in Amateur Photographer from 1941 entitled 'Miniature Camera Gossip' to do with all things 35mm. He was a 'prickly' character who spoke his mind !

Another member of the Ilford lecture team throughout the war and afterwards, was Henry G. Russell A.R.P.S. F.R.S.A. Known as Harry to his family and friends. Anthony (Tony) Russell, his son, provided me with this insight.

Henry Russell wrote a feature called "Between Ourselves" under the pseudonym "Minicam" in Miniature Camera Magazine (MCM) from (almost) its inception until the mid-1950s. MCM first appeared around December 1936 and Henry's first contribution (6 pages) appeared in the October 1937 edition (Vol.1 No.11). The photograph is from the 'banner' at the top of the early editions.
He ran his own company, handling advertising for Ilford, Photax and Johnsons. From 1938, until he died in 1960, Henry was responsible for 80% of Ilford's advertising copy. He also authored a considerable number of books on "miniature" photography.

The paddle-steamer trademark, used since 1886, was dropped and the new advertising slogan "Ilford films, for Faces and Places" was coined.

Ilford's Lecture Service, which operated throughout the War (see 1942 above) announced "Today, with calm restored, we are more eager then ever to provide the services of our qualified team of lecturers, so if you have a vacant date, drop a line to the Ilford Lecture Service, Ilford Ltd, London."

In AP for 5th September 1945, John Milner, the Hon. Sec. Petersfield Photographic Society writes "I feel the time has come to thank Messrs. Ilford, Ltd, publicly and wholeheartedly for the wonderful way in which they have helped photographic societies to carry on during the alst five or six war years, by sending their lecturers and demonstrators all over the country, and at no cost whatever to the societies concerned. The Petersfield Photographic Society acknowledges that it owes this fine firm a great debt, and it is to be hoped that clubs and their members will bear in mind that the products of this company are second to none, when the market becomes flooded with foreign merchandise."

An Ilford Selochrome print of the entrance to the newly opened HMP Falfield, later to become Leyhill Prison in Tortworth Court, between Gloucester and Bristol. It was taken by a (then) 10 year old Tony Cunnane whose father was a prison officer. Tony has an extensive web site describing his life and RAF career, including 11 years as the Red Arrows Public Relations Officer.

Tony quotes the Ilford advertising slogan "Focus right then gently press: Ilford Selo spells success". It was widely used in newspaper and magazine adverts of the time and certainly during the latter years of the war. He recalls it was often associated with an attractive girl posing provocatively, a camera to her eye, taking a ‘snap’ of her boy friend or scenic view.

A 42 page booklet, priced at 2s/6d (12.5p), describing the use of Ilford contact and enlargement print materials through all stages of their use including choice of developers, print toning, presentation & choice of border and finally titling the finished exhibition print. A footnote on the last page shows PE/C.47, presumably meaning it was published in March 1947. The printers are Lund Humphries who give a number 18677.3.47, which again indicates March 1947.

A small pocket in the rear cover of the booklet contains "Specimen Surfaces of Ilford Bromide, Plastika and Contact papers".

General release of 'Advocate' Series 1 camera with 35mm f4.5 Dallmeyer bloomed lens, shutter 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 and B. £22.11s.6d (£22.58p).

Ilford Colour Film Type "A" introduced. Amateur Photographer magazine for 30th November has a Wallace Heaton advert which prices 35mm Ilford daylight Type 'D' colour film in 18 (half length) exposure cassettes at 16s/4d (82p) and 20 exposure Type 'A' cassettes at 18s/6d (92.5p), including processing. Postage extra 4d (1.5p). By 1955 both films were sold in 20 exposure cassettes for 21s/6d (£1.8p), inclusive of processing.

The 1949 BJPA (p239) carries an announcement of 'Ilford Sellotape'. "Sellotape is a self-adhesive, clear cellulose tape which adheres firmly to almost any surface. It is strong and pliable, and thus suitable for many sealing purposes, and other darkroom and studio uses. Sellotape is supplied in rolls, 8½yds in length by 5/8inch wide, in a metal dispenser which can be carried in the pocket and into which refill rolls can easily be loaded. The top of this container allows the required length of Sellotape to be torn off with either a straight or a saw toothed edge. The price of the dispenser, complete with a roll of Sellotape, is 2s.(10p), plus purchase tax; refill rolls cost 1s.(5p) each, plus purchase tax."
My thanks to D.M for pointing out this entry.

Release of the Ilford 'Craftsman', a simple 120 or 620 roll film reflex finder roll film camera, with 1/25th, 1/75th sec & 'B' shutter + f9 & f18 apertures. Focusses down to 4ft. Price £7.10s.6d (£7.53p), case £2.1s.3d (£2.06p).

The Craftsman was assembled in the same factory, Northern Scientific Equipment Ltd; Bark Street, Bolton, as the Witness.

The Ilford 'Prentice' first appeared, a basic 120 Roll Film folding camera very similar to the Kershaw Penguin.

The Prentice cost £3.13s.6d plus £1.11s.1d purchase tax (£5.23p).
At this time, a 120 roll film cost around 2s/7d (13p).

'Picture Beautiful Britain' leaflet describing the Ilford Film range in the run up to the 'Festival of Britain' May to September 1951. Recommended films were HP3, FP3 and PanF for 35mm cameras (125, 64 and 16ASA respectively) and Selochrome orthochromatic roll film (80ASA).

"This year, when more people than ever will be taking photographs of places visited and of the friends with whom they will share the enjoyment of the Festival celebration, increasing numbers of discriminating amateur photographers will be putting their trust in Ilford films."
"Pageantry, in which this country excels, will play an important part in the Festival of Britain celebrations and will provide a photographic story of tremendous interest."

This 20 page booklet entitled Ilford Colour Films was published by Ilford Limited, Ilford, London, around February 1952 (?, based upon the rear cover printer's number ICF/B52/PLH). It describes the principles of additive and subtractive colour processes and determination of exposure under daylight & artificial light for the 10ASA Ilford Colour Films type D and A.

The text predates the 1953 announcement of an Ilford service to provide colour prints from transparancies as the end-note in italics says "Ilford Ltd does not undertake the preparation of colour prints or black & white prints from transparencies, or the preparation of duplicate transparencies."

In 1952 Ilford and Geigy set up Gyl Chemicals Ltd to manufacture Hydroquinone.

Around 1952, HP3 film speed increased to 200ASA (post-1960 to 400ASA).

Ilford introduce high speed HPS plates (400 ASA - post-1960 re-rated at 800ASA) in time for press work during the 1953 Coronation Year.

The box of 12 off 4" x 5" HPS plates illustrated alongside probably dates from after 1956 because the three speed ratings are
Ilford Meter 37°, Ilford Speed Group H, Weston meter 400. These three speeds are compatible with the speed of 400ASA, but prior to 1956 the Weston meter calibration was not the same as ASA; it would have been 320 Weston (see here). The box shows 400 Weston which indicates the package dates post-1956, after Weston speeds came into line with ASA (now ISO).

The Ilford 'Witness' camera finally reaches the mass market, but only some 350 are ever produced. It failed against competition from the newly released Leica M3 and its own mass production problems. In April 1953 the Witness was priced at £121.16s.8d (£121.83p) with a f1.9 lens.

Release of Ilford 'Advocate' camera, Series 2, with 35mm f3.5 Dallmeyer bloomed lens and flash synchronised, priced at £26.17s.6d (£26.88p).

Release of Envoy Box, Series 1 (?not sure of this year date?)

Ilford PIM (Photographic Instrument Manufacturers) Monorail professional plate camera with a triangular-section rail marketed by Ilford Ltd (see picture).

Launch of a service to provide colour prints from transparencies, both from Ilford's Colour D and Kodachrome. Production quickly rose to more than a million prints per annum. Based upon a reversal process yielding a positive print direct from a positive transparency. Only available to 35mm slide film users. Prints 5½x3¾" with a white border. Price per print is 2/6d (12.5p) with a minimum order of four prints from one or more transparencies.

'Multigrade' variable contrast printing paper re-introduced May 1953 (but withdrawn again in the mid-60s).
This time with 5 filters, 2 magenta (soft contrast) and 3 yellow (medium to hard contrast).
Two paper sufaces, glossy and velvet stipple.

Dated March 1953 but perhaps not printed until Nov 1953 (K53 on end page), this 68 page Ilford textbook was the 14th Edition of the "Ilford formulae book", presumably following the tradition set by the 1937 example, shown above. This version was titled "Formulae & Packed Chemicals" to reflect the change from photographers mixing their own solutions from basic chemicals to the use of pre-packaged chemical mixtures, merely requiring to be dissolved into stock, or working strength, solutions before use.
Phenidone (see 1940 entry above), "a remarkable new developing agent produced in the Ilford research laboratories, is mentioned in the book for the first time." Although first prepared in 1890 and its developing properties discovered in 1940, large scale manufacturing of the compound did not become feasible until 1951.

Developers are now ID-1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 19, 20 (Phenidone & Metol versions), 22, 33, 34, 36 (Phenidone and Metol versions), 42, 46, 47, 48, 55, 60, 61, 62 & 66. Pre-packaged developers include Contrast FF, Document paper (ID-55), Formalith, PFP (ID-62) and PQ Universal. Book also describes various fixers, hardeners, stop-baths, reducers, intensifiers, toners and packed chemicals.

Ilford HPS roll film (120 size) and 35mm film introduced "the fastest film in the world" (plates had been introduced in 1952).
Fast panchromatic, 400ASA in daylight, 320ASA in tungsten light. The speed revision of 1960 raised the speed to 800ASA.
Price; 127 film 3s/1d (15.5p), 120 & 620 film 3s/5d (17p) & 36exp 35mm cassette 9s/2d (46p). Multiply these costs by around 20 to get 2008 equivalents, so the 35mm cassette of monochrome HPS would cost £9.20p and a 120 roll film £3.40p.

It surprisingly survived until 1998, then being replaced by Delta 3200.

The picture illustrates the type of card slide mount used by Ilford for their Colour D transparency film in 1954. Plain white on the reverse.
The picture was taken on the beach at Weston-Super-Mare in the summer of 1954.

Ilford Witness with f1.9 Super-Six lens, and E.R.Case, secondhand for £70 at Sheffield Photo Co Ltd (Modern Camera Magazine; June 1955).

Type 'A' & 'D' colour transparency films sold in 20 exposure cassettes for 21s/6d (£1.8p), inclusive of processing (see 1949 entry for earlier prices)

Ilford Photographic Materials General Catalogue; a substantial 233mm x 157mm hard backed 328 page catalogue, apparently produced regularly during the 1950s and into the 1960s for trade distribution.

This 96 page 120mm x 185mm booklet entitled Ilford Photographic Materials & Accessories 'for faces & places', is undated, but is believed relates to 1955 as it predates the release of Colour Film Type F in 1956, but post-dates the release of HPS roll & 35mm film in 1954.

It was perhaps aimed more at the amateur market than the hard back General Catalogue illustrated above. The back cover has a space for a retailer to stamp his shop's name & address (though the example shown bears no such stamp) and such a retailer might have given copies to regular customers to encourage them to browse at home and select further purchases from his shop.

Ilford Advocate Series 1 (f4.5 lens) on sale secondhand for £11 at Theodore Pyke, Eden St; Kingston-on-Thames (AP Magazine, 26th Dec 1956)

Introduction of Colour Film Type "F" for use with clear flashbulbs. "...thus reducing the cost of colour shots and saving the trouble of keeping two kinds of flashbulbs" (i.e. blue for colour and clear for b&w). Twice the speed of Ilfords Type "D" film, hence around 20ASA.

Introduction of a colour transparency duplication service, 4/- each (20p). Black & white negatives from colour transparencies, 2/6d each (12.5p).

Pan F film speed raised (autumn 1956) from 16ASA (daylight) 10ASA (tungsten) to 25ASA & 16ASA respectively.

In early 1957 Ilford annuonced an extension to their 1953 'prints from transparencies' service to include making duplicates and prints from any make of colour transparency from 35mm film and smaller. The full size 35mm transparencies were printed 5½"x3¾" with smaller transparencies printed in proportion. Monochrome negatives from 35mm transparencies could also be supplied at 2s/6d each (12.5p).

The Basildon factory, which was built by the company, was completed in 1957. It became the factory for processing Ilford's colour films. Other activities eventually (by 1964) included the making of colour prints, colour printing from transparencies and the manufacture of chemicals and equipment.

FP3 no longer available in roll film sizes 116 & 616 (only 120, 620,127 & 828). HP3 was still available in all sizes incl. 116 & 616.

For a short period during the 1950's, ICI marketed a negative-positive colour film for use by professional photographers. At this time ICI took some preliminary steps towards entering the amateur market. However, in 1958 ICI acquired 32% of Ilford's shares and an agreement was concluded which gave Ilford access to ICI's colour film research in the negative-positive field and provided for further research on colour photographic products and processes to be undertaken by ICI on behalf of Ilford.

New Ilford office block completed (reported in 'Photography' magazine, March 1958).
A large paper finishing and distribution department was built at Mobberley. The whole paper manufacturing process was now at Mobberley and there was a large increase in the workforce.

The Kennedy Instruments Ltd (KI) Monobar 35mm camera was produced, having a film back with a resemblance to the Advocate camera. It was made during the period 1958-65 and provided the range of lens panel movements normally associated with a large plate 'field' camera. By 1967 the remaining KI Monobars were being sold solely by the goods clearance company Marston & Heard for £60, against a (claimed) list price of £180 (see AP magazine for 6_9_67).
Kennedy Instruments Ltd were a wholly owned subsidiary of Ilford Ltd. (Ref: D.M, photo' courtesy of D.M)

The 5th and final edition of 'The Ilford Manual of Photography' was published in May 1958 (see 1890 entry for first edition). This edition was reprinted in 1959, 1960, 1962, twice in 1963 and again in 1966. Additional material was included in appendices. The 7th reprint appeared in May 1967 with its appendices including information on split-image rangefinders, new types of film base, modern film speed systems, monobaths (one solution combined developer and fixer), high definition developers etc. The price 'remianed' at £2.2s (£2.10p). It was reprinted once more before its eventual demise (possibly in 1969 when Ciba took over sole ownership of Ilford, Ltd ?) Presumably the Rights to the book's content and its publication were sold to Focal Press. Focal Press published a 6th edition in 1971, though without the name 'Ilford' in the title i.e. it became 'The Manual of Photography'. It is currently in its 9th edition, published 20th September 2000; ISBN: 0240515749 (Ref: D.M).

Late in 1959; introduction of a modified cardboard transparency mount carrying the date of processing, the frame number and a black spot to aid correct orientation when being placed into a slide projector. The design was also claimed to reduce film 'buckle' through heat and also the tendency for images to 'pop' out of focus during projection.

In October 1959, 35mm FP3 film became FP3 Series II. Ilford claimed "The new FP3 emulsion closely approaches ILFORD Pan F for fineness of grain - yet its speed is maintained at 64 Weston!" A 20exp. cassette cost 5s/1d (25.5p)and a 36exp. cassette cost 6s/10d (34p). Darkroom loading refills, 36exp. cost 3s/11d (19.5p) and unspooled lengths of 5m and 17m cost 10s/6d (52.5p) and 31s/11d (£1.60p) respectively.

Ilford have sites at (ref: PCCGB Tailboard magazine, Sept '06) Britannia Works - Essex, Basildon (filters), Bexford (filmbase), Brentwood (Selo) Works, Looe - Cornwall (processing), Margate (boxes), Mobberley - Cheshire (paper), Watford (gelatine). They are also supplying materials to Johnsons of Hendon.

In 1959 the Focal Press Ltd (31, Fitzroy Square, London, W.1) published this small (120mm x 160mm; 48 pages) booklet entitled "All about Colour with ILFORD COLOUR". This is Focal Guide No.84, printed by Fletcher & Sons Ltd, Harford Works, Norwich, UK.

Written by George Ashton, it deals with Ilford colour transparency films Types D and F.
Type D was introduced in 1948 and Type A in 1949, but the latter (I presume) was replaced by Type F in 1956.

The basic advised exposure for Type D on a sunny day was 1/50th sec at f 6.3, corresponding to the film speed of 10ASA.

Following further joint research with ICI, Ilford introduced Ilfacolor (120/620 roll film only, 32 ASA) colour negative film, based upon an ICI patent. Film cost 10/6d (52.5p). Processing (only by Ilford) was 6/6d (32.5p). Enprints at 2/9d each (14p). Tested in Amateur Photographer, 16th November 1960; "Greys are reasonably neutral with only a slight tendency to blueishness. The purple end of the spectrum is quite faithfully reproduced, so are the yellows, but the reds and oranges blur together. There is no really bright 'pillar box' red (but nevertheless the reds are better than some other unmasked processes). Some people found the results acceptable, calling the colours natural or restrained, others did not and described them as degraded and muddy. This is plainly a matter of personal choice..."
The advert alongside is taken from the January 1962 back cover of "Colour Photography' magazine. 'Glorious moment - held for ever ! on ILFACOLOR with flash. Your get balanced colour - believable colour, with ILFACOLOR colour-negative roll film."
Agfa protested at the use of the prefix 'Ilfa' and later in 1962 Ilford changed this to 'Ilfo', making their product names Ilfochrome (instead of Ilfachrome) and Ilfocolor.

127 size roll film Ilfacolor was introduced at the start of spring 1961, 10s/7d per roll (53p), processing 6s/6d (32.5p) prints 2s/3d each (11p) sized 3½"x5" from roll films with 8 exposures, 3½"sq from 12 exposures and 3½"x4½" from 16 exposures.

Hyfin developer introduced. Iford claimed "greater sharpness, speed and economy". For use with slow and medium speed films.

Gave a +1stop speed increase & greater sharpness than with ID11. Supplied as five foil satchets of powder in a carton, each satchet to make 600cc of working strength developer. The five satchet carton cost 4s (20p). Each powder satchet had to be dissolved in 600cc of warm water and then used at 20C; Pan F and FP3 series II required 18mins with 5sec agitation every minute.

lford introduce their 32ASA Ilfochrome 32 colour reversal film, cost 28/6d for a 36exp film or 19/6d for a 20 exposure (£1.43p & 98p respectively), including postage and transparency mounting.

The illustrated 'Ilford Transparency Viewer' for 2"x2" (35mm or 4x4cm) slides was being marketed by mid-1963. Its plano-convex lens gave a magnification of 1.5x. The box logo shown here has the Ilford 'sunburst' symbol which appeared in 1965, so this example must date to 1965 or later. It cost £1.4s.6d (£1.23p). It worked off 2xUII ('C') batteries (the viewer price included a bulb but excluded the batteries).

Ilfochrome 25 ASA 8mm Cine film, costs 23/6d (£1.18p) for a 25ft double run spool (4mins total running time).

From the beginning of 1963 Ilford made pre-packed chemicals and technical assistance generally available to all commercial photo-finishers, and by 1964 a number of independent finishers were processing Ilfocolor roll films.

Ilford reminded photographers that the earlier 10ASA Ilfachrome would only be accepted for processing until December 31st 1963. By that date the last batch made would be 1year over the date of expiry on the carton.

Ilfochrome prints from 35mm transparencies no longer available due to 'heavy demand' for Ilfocolor prints.

CIBA AG, Switzerland, approach Ilford with a buy-out offer. The CIBA group comprised CIBA AG, CIBA Photochemie AG (formerly Tellko AG, research laboratory near Fribourg) a manufacturer of sensitised photographic materials, Lumière SA France (near Lyons, acquired by Ciba in 1962) also a manufacturer of sensitised materials & of colour film (in the 1950s), and Gretag GmbH (Germany) a designer and constructor of equipment and instruments for use in the photographic industry.
There was no take-over by Ciba until 1969 but there began commercial co-operation between Ciba and Ilford to develop Ciba's dye-bleach print material (for making prints directly from colour transparencies). Originally called Cilchrome ('Cil' derived from the names Ciba, Ilford and Lumière) the eventual product name was Cibachrome. Other group products also had 'CIL' at the beginning of the name e.g CILMATIC cameras which had much in common with the Dacora Sportsman range but were only sold in mainland Europe.

CIBA built a new plant at Marly, just outside Fribourg (home of Tellko) to coat Cibachrome (and later ILFOCHROME, being the name given to Cibachrome post-1989 after Ciba sold Ilford to International Paper, see below), and the old Tellko factory in the centre of Fribourg was used as the finishing department.

Ilford had a number of wholly owned subsidiaries in the UK (incl. Britannia Works Co. Ltd. whose main business was wholesale black and white photo' finishing and the manufacturer of chemicals, including ' hypo') as well as 50% interests in some other companies (incl. Butlins Photographic Services Ltd. which operated photographic services at seven holiday camps, two hotels and a beach outlet).
It had subsidiaries in Australia, Denmark, France, India and the USA and a world-wide distribution organisation. The company had a board of ten directors, two of whom are ICI nominees. Administration and sales are directed from the company's offices at Ilford, Essex and the company has factories at Ilford, Brentwood, Basildon and Mobberley. The supply and processing of colour films accounted for about 4% of Ilford's total trading turnover. Other activities include the manufacture of emulsions used by nuclear physicists, document copying equipment, black and white films of all types, X-ray films, photographic papers, chemicals, magnetic materials and the supply of cameras and other equipment.

Ilford has some 22,000 authorised dealers, including branches of multiples, and some 2,000 dealers' agents.

Produced from 7th Sept 1964, the ILFORD "Colour Book of Flower Decoration" was written by Joan Groves of the Constance Spry Flower School (closed 31st Jan 2008) and contained 54 colour plates all taken on Ilfocolor by James Adams, ARPS. There was also a chapter on flower photography by Kenneth Gaseltine, FIBP, FRPS.
Ilford advertised this book and the RF Style 4 Sportsman full page in Amateur Photographer 9th Sept 1964 (p102) and held a 4 week exhibition of the prints at their Oxford Street gallery.

See 1965 entry below for further information on this series of books.

A new 'sunburst' symbol introduced, the first company identification since the 'paddle steamer' (see top of page). Also, a new style packaging was adopted using a dead-white glazed cardboard for all cartons and boxes.

HP4 film became available alongside HP3 (not replacing it until the end of 1969) in 120 and 127 roll film sizes, cost 4/6d (23p).
HP4 in 35mm film size became available somewhat later. It was first advertised in December 1966 ('Photography' magazine) but Ilford's January 1967 adverts suggest it may not have been widely available until the start of 1967.
The HP4 35mm film illustrated was donated by Luis Loubet.

In May 1965 Ilford introduced a new negative 35mm 20 exposure film,' Colorprint', rated at 64 ASA, at a price inclusive of processing. At the same time, it discontinued production of Ilfocolor. The service whereby 35mm users received projection printed 'contact' prints and card mounted negatives with their returned processed film, continued, as it had previously with Ilfocolor 35mm.

Also in May, substantive reversal 35mm filmintroduced, very similar to llfochrome, called 35mm Colorslide rated at 32ASA and 35mm Super Colorslide rated at 64ASA. Slides returned in a plastic pocket 'quick-look viewer'. Iford explained "Now you can see just how good your shots are the minute you get them!."

36exp Colorslide only 28/- (£1.40p) and 20exp for 18/- (90p).
A blue plastic filing folder to hold up to 10 of the 'quick-look viewers', cost 2/9d (14p).

Super Colorslide and Colorprint were also introduced in ' Rapid' cassettes.

My thanks to Steve Slarke for donating "An ILFORD Colour Book of Flower Identification ~ Rock Garden Plants" by Will Ingwersen. Designed and produced by George Rainbird Limited and printed by Jarrold & Sons Limited, Norwich. Copiously illustrated with colour photographs, all taken on Ilfocolor film and printed on Ilfocolor paper. First published 1965 © ILFORD Limited 1965.
This series of books were produced from 7th Sept 1964, starting with the ILFORD "Colour Book of Flower Decoration" (see 1964 entry, above). Other ILFORD Colour Books in this Flower Identification Series are listed as "House Plants", "Cacti and Other Succulents" and "Herbacious Plants 1".

Other books still in planning in 1965 were: "Flowering Bulbs, Corms and Tubers", "Flowering Shrubs and Trees", "Greenhouse Plants", "Herbacious Plants 2", "Annuals and Biennials" and "Roses", with a further volume planned, being "Gardens in Colour".
As late as Feb 1966, AP carried news that Ilford were still exhibiting prints from this series of books at Bentalls, Kingston upon Thames and demonstrating flower photography techniques.

Ciba and ICI acquire all outstanding shares of Ilford

Ilford film available in the 126 Instant (Instamatic) cartridge system. Black & white cost 4s/4d for 12exp. (22p), Ilford Super Colorslide "returned in smart plastic mounts and in a free Quick-Look viewer wallet", cost 12s/6d for 12exp (63p) and New Ilford Super Colorprint cost 7s/6d for the film and a further 18/- for processing "prints returned in an attractive pocket album" (see advert alongside). Total price for 12exp was 25s/6d (£1.28p). Processing of the Colorprint film was via a voucher system, available from photographic stores. The film was intended to be returned to Ilford in its original carton, with the pre-payment voucher stuck to the carton, and the whole put into a supplied bag - which had to be separately stamped (weight 35gm).

In January 1967 (or maybe December 1966), HP4 film became available in 35mm cassettes (see also 1965 entry). Normal speed rating 400ASA (or 650ASA in Ilford's Microphen developer). Recommended prices 5s.10d (29p) for 20 exposures and 7s.7d (38p) for 36 exposures. Also available as cassette refills.

In May, 7th reprint of the 5th Edition of the 'Ilford Manual of Photography' published (see also, 1958 entry).

From June to August, Ilford were promoting (in a sexist strip-tease type advert) their Hyfin developer (ultra-fine grain, high acutance and increased film speed) by offering a free 300cc trial pack (sufficient to develop one film) with every purchase of the 'new' 20 exposure cassette of Pan F (50ASA but increased by Hyfin to 80ASA). Recommended retail price 5s.10d (29p). The 20 exposure length (40 exposures with half-frame) was recommended as a 'convenient length for the weekend'.

Ilford Ilfobrom Paper introduced and Ilford glossy bromide discontinued. Six evenly spaced grades, same exposure for all grades except Grade 5 which required double the exposure of the other five. Made in a range of surfaces.
In November, Ilford launched their Ilfobrom Tri-Pack, containing 10 sheets of wholeplate paper (6½" x 8½" i.e. 16.5cm x 21.6cm) of each of the three popular grades: 1, 2 & 3. The paper was double weight, with a velevt stipple finish. The Tri-Pack was offered for only a limited period at the special price of 15s.6d (78p) a saving of 3s.3d (16p).
Marston & Heard purchased all the remaining stock of Ilford glossy bromide and were selling it at roughly 30% discount through their 'Amateur Photographer' adverts.

Film prices were volatile in 1967. In AP for 26th April, Ilford announced that FP3 would now "cost no more than 'ordinary' film", with roll film down in price from 4s.3d (21p) to 3s.10d (19p). FP3 35mm prices (unchanged ?) were 5s.10d for 20exp (29p) and 7s.7d for 36exp (38p). HP3 120, 127 & 620 roll film cost 4s.3d (21p), 35mm 20 exp cost 5s.10d (29p), 36exp cost 7s.7d (38p) and 36exp refills cost 4s.6d (22.5p).
BUT, in AP's 'News of the Week' for 30th August there was an announcement of new prices for other Ilford black & white roll & 35mm films, necessitated by the increased price of silver. Prices were increased by just less than 10%. Selochrome 120 roll film now 4s/3d (21p), 126 Instant cartridge 4s/9d (24p), 36-exp 35mm HP4 cassette 8s/3d (41p). The 10 sheet pack of 8x10inch Ilfobrom single weight paper, formerly costing 7s/5d (37p) now increased to 8s (40p).
Ilford were not alone in needing to adjust film prices. Kodak, Ltd. announced (AP 13th Sept) that, owing to the cost of silver, the price of their b&w films was being increased by around 10% in mid-September, and its general purpose photographic papers would follow suit in mid-November.

Ciba acquires all of ICI's shares in Ilford, becoming sole owner of ILFORD Limited, six years after their initial approach.
Introduction of Cibrachrome colour reversal printing paper and chemistry, a product developed by Ciba Geigy Photochemie of Switzerland, based on the silver-dye-bleach principle originally proposed in 1905 by the Austrian Karl Schnitzel. Over the following years it was further developed by Ciba and Ilford into a world renowned 'industry standard' product for high permanence richly saturated prints from transparencies.

On 31st Dec 1969 Ilford ceased supply of the Ilfomatic 126 cameras and camera outfits, ending the sale of all Ilford's amateur camera products.
Also on 31st December, Ilford discontinued manufacture of HP3 roll film, explaining that the demand for HP4 had risen to a level that required all their existing production capacity. However, Ilford promised to continue manufacturing HP3 in sheet film and 35mm cassettes as long as this was justified by world-wide demand. (Might it have survived until HP5 was launched in 1976 ?)

Ilford FP4 Challenge Cup print competition, judged (late November / early December) by George Hughes (AP Features Editor), Photo-Trade World Editor Roy Mathers and Ilford's Bill Risden.

The Mobberley workforce had grown to around 550.

Two new film developers, tested in Amateur Photographer 21st January 1970.

Ilfosol, a general purpose 'acutance with fine grain' liquid concentrate 'one-shot' developer to be diluted 1:14 assisted by the graduated bottle cap having internal markings to show volumes of 10cc, 20cc, 30cc & 40cc.
Recommended cost of a 300cc conical ('Dalek' shaped, as AP described it! ) plastic container was 6/- (30p). The bottle shape was subsequently found not to be ideal as the surface area of developer exposed to oxidation increased as the developer was used. So the concentrated developer didn't 'keep' as well as it might have.

Perceptol, supplied in a less convenient powder form (2 packets dissolved to make 600cc of stock solution) but satisfying the perfectionist wanting negatives capable of giant enlargement. Pack to make 600cc, 4/-; (25p).

First Queen's Award to Industry (& see 1975)
Ciba merges with JR Geigy becoming Ciba-Geigy.
Ilford's Chief Executive, Dr A J O Axford, announces planned £4m additions to the Brentwood, Essex, factory; a new film manufacturing block, a quality control laboratory, additional film packing areas and general site support services. Expected to be 'on-line' within 2 years.

Elmo cine equipment no longer distributed by Ilford. Transferred to C.Z.Scientific Instruments Ltd, 93/97 New Canvendish St, London, W1A 2AR.
Any servicing requirements of previously sold Ilford-Elmo equipment also handled in future by C.Z.Scientific.

All Ilford colour film and paper materials now discontinued except for Cibachrome.

Ilford Witness camera for sale secondhand in the AP magazine for 21st January at Campkins Camera Centre Ltd, New Bond Street, London, priced £27.10s (£27.50p) with f1.9 Dallmeyer & including case; p&p extra.