Date of use : 1937 Turkey

Foto Surmeli – Photographic Business in Iskenderun

This printed commercial envelope, sent from İskenderun in 1937, offers meaningful insight into the world of local photography during the early Republican period. At first glance, it may appear to be a simple piece of business correspondence. However, the printed letterhead, the address details, and the postal markings together transform it into a small but revealing historical document that reflects the commercial and visual culture of its time.

At the top of the envelope, the name "FOTO SÜRMELİ" appears in bold lettering. Beneath it are the lines "5 Temmuz Street No. 50 – Telephone No. 249 – İskenderun." This layout suggests that the business was eager to present itself with a clear and structured corporate identity. The inclusion of a telephone number is particularly noteworthy for a provincial studio in the 1930s, indicating that Foto Sürmeli operated as an established and accessible enterprise within the city center.

One of the most striking elements of the letterhead is the phrase "Kemiksiz Atölyesinde Çekilen Klişeler Emrinizdedir," which states that printing plates produced in the Kemiksiz workshop were available to clients. The word "klişe" refers to printing blocks or plates derived from photographs, implying that the studio was involved not only in portrait photography but also in preparing images for print production. At the time, many photography studios provided visual materials for business cards, advertisements, and other commercial printing needs. This detail suggests that Foto Sürmeli possessed technical capabilities that extended beyond ordinary studio portraiture.

In the upper right corner, a 20 kuruş stamp of the Republic of Turkey is affixed, accompanied by a clear İskenderun postmark dated May 6, 1937. The legibility of the cancellation mark allows the envelope to be securely dated, making it a reliable example for postal history. During this period, printed business envelopes such as this were commonly used by local enterprises for regular commercial correspondence.

The address section begins with "Sayın Bay Salih Cemal Eczacı," followed by a descriptive location in Adana: "Opposite the Old Municipality, Former Shoemaker's House, Tenant with İsmailoğlu." This type of address, based on well-known local landmarks rather than standardized street numbers, was typical of the time. It reflects a period when urban addressing systems were still evolving and everyday geography was defined through shared community knowledge.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
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