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the printed letterhead, the address details, and the postal markings together transform it into a small but revealing historical document that reflects the commercial and visual culture of its time.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.

Record Information

Title: Foto Surmeli – Photographic Business in Iskenderun

Category: Photographic History / Turkish Commerce

Subcategory: Early Republican Era / Studio Practices

Country: Turkey

City: İskenderun (Sender) → Adana (Recipient)

Date of use: 6 May 1937

Studio (Sender): Foto Sürmeli, İskenderun. Located at 5 Temmuz Street No. 50, with telephone No. 249. Offered photographic services including the production of printing plates ("klişe") from photographs, indicating capabilities beyond standard portraiture, serving commercial printing needs.

Recipient: Sayın Bay Salih Cemal Eczacı, Adana. Address given descriptively: "Opposite the Old Municipality, Former Shoemaker's House, Tenant with İsmailoğlu" – typical of pre-standardized addressing systems.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope

Postal Features: 20 kuruş Republic of Turkey stamp; İskenderun postmark dated 6 May 1937; clear cancellation providing secure dating.

Key Inscription: "Kemiksiz Atölyesinde Çekilen Klişeler Emrinizdedir" – indicating the availability of printing plates produced in the Kemiksiz workshop.

Language: Turkish

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Foto Sürmeli, İskenderun photography, early Republican commerce, printing plates (klişe), 1930s studio services, Turkish postal history, descriptive addressing, provincial business practices.

Archival Significance: This 1937 envelope from Foto Sürmeli in İskenderun documents the operations of a provincial photography studio in early Republican Turkey. The mention of printing plates ("klişe") reveals a broader service range including commercial print preparation. The descriptive address in Adana reflects period addressing conventions. This item is a primary source for understanding the commercial and technical capabilities of local photography businesses in 1930s Turkey.

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.