Date of use : 1938 Germany

Der Photo Prost Dealer Postcard Nürnberg Germany

This article examines a commercial postal card dated 17 June 1938 as a primary source for understanding the structure and operation of photographic equipment trade in Germany during the late 1930s. The document was sent by the Nuremberg-based company Photo-Porst to a business operated by Anton Möst in Munich and functioned not only as a postal item but also as an official order and delivery instruction. The information preserved on both the front and reverse sides of the card provides valuable insight into the logistics, administrative discipline, and commercial networks of the photographic industry under the Reich era.

The front side of the card bears a postal cancellation indicating dispatch from Nuremberg on 17 June 1938. The inclusion of the designation "City of the Reich Party Rallies" reflects the ideological role assigned to Nuremberg within Nazi Germany and demonstrates how political identity permeated even routine commercial correspondence. The presence of the Reich eagle and the marking of the German postal service identify the item as a prepaid commercial card, confirming that the shipment was part of an established institutional mailing arrangement rather than a private transaction. This form of postage indicates a high volume of regular business correspondence and a contractual relationship with the postal system.

The sender, Photo-Porst, was founded in 1919 by Hanns Porst and had become one of the largest photographic retailers and distributors in Germany by the 1930s. The company's slogan printed on the card, describing itself as the world's largest photo house, reflects a corporate culture emphasizing scale, efficiency, and national prominence. Photo-Porst operated an extensive distribution network supplying cameras, films, tripods, and darkroom equipment through mail order and regional dealers. Its centralized organization and standardized documentation exemplify the industrialization of photographic commerce during this period.

The recipient firm, operated by Anton Möst and located at Antwerpenerstraße 27 in Munich, appears to have functioned as a local photographic retailer or equipment dealer. Although detailed archival records of the business have not survived, the nature and volume of the order strongly suggest a professional commercial operation rather than private consumption. Munich, as a major cultural and economic center in southern Germany, maintained close commercial ties with industrial hubs such as Nuremberg, facilitating regular exchanges of photographic goods.

The reverse side of the card contains a structured order form dated 17 June 1938 and identified by order number 51234. The high sequence number indicates a substantial volume of ongoing transactions managed through a formalized internal system. The ordered item is described as a lightweight metal miniature tripod composed of eight parts and supplied with a carrying case. A total quantity of fifty units was requested, clearly indicating wholesale distribution rather than individual use. Such compact and portable tripods were increasingly in demand during the 1930s, reflecting the growing popularity of small-format cameras and the expansion of amateur and semi-professional photography.

Notably, the price fields on the form were left blank, suggesting that pricing was handled through separate invoicing or pre-arranged dealer agreements. The delivery instruction specifies immediate shipment, pointing to urgent stock requirements and steady consumer demand. Together, these details illustrate the efficiency and responsiveness of the photographic supply chain in late-1930s Germany.

In conclusion, this commercial postal card constitutes a significant primary document that illuminates the everyday mechanics of photographic equipment distribution in 1938. Beyond its postal function, it records the interaction between a major national distributor and a regional dealer, highlights the role of the postal system in commercial logistics, and reflects broader technological and economic trends within the photographic industry. As such, the document holds considerable value for the study of photography history, commercial practices, and postal communication in pre-war Germany.

Record Information

Title: Der Photo Prost Dealer Postcard Nürnberg Germany

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Networks

Subcategory: Distribution / Wholesale Trade

Country: Germany (Nazi Germany)

City: Nürnberg → Munich

Date of use: 17 June 1938

Company (Sender): Photo-Porst, Nürnberg. Founded 1919 by Hanns Porst. Major photographic retailer and distributor in Germany by the 1930s. Operated extensive mail-order and regional dealer network. Slogan emphasized scale and national prominence.

Recipient: Anton Möst, Antwerpenerstraße 27, Munich. Local photographic retailer or equipment dealer.

Object Type: Commercial postal card (prepaid business mail / order form)

Postal Features: Nuremberg dispatch cancellation (17 June 1938); "City of the Reich Party Rallies" designation; Reich eagle and German postal service markings; prepaid commercial card indicating high-volume business correspondence.

Order Details (Reverse): Order number 51234; 50 units of a lightweight metal miniature tripod (8 parts, with carrying case); immediate shipment requested; price fields blank (separate invoicing).

Language: German

Material: Paper postal card

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: Photo-Porst history, Hanns Porst, German photographic distribution, wholesale trade, miniature tripods, 1930s commercial logistics, Nazi-era postal markings, Anton Möst, Munich-Nuremberg trade.

Archival Significance: This 1938 commercial card from Photo-Porst documents the sophisticated distribution network of German photographic equipment. The order for 50 miniature tripods illustrates wholesale volume and the demand for small-format camera accessories. The "City of the Reich Party Rallies" cancellation reflects political permeation of commerce. This item is a primary source for understanding the industrialization of photographic trade and the logistical infrastructure supporting it in pre-war Germany.

Research Note:

This article is based on historical research and independent analysis of the material in the author's collection. The text has been prepared as an original interpretative study and does not reproduce copyrighted material.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
For academic reference, please refer to How to Cite This Archive.