Date of use : 1944, Germany

Otto Perutz & Perutz-Photowerke Legacy Envelope

This document is a commercial correspondence card issued by the Munich-based company Otto Perutz Trockenplattenfabrik. The printed company header clearly indicates that the firm operated within the field of photographic materials manufacturing. The German term "Trockenplattenfabrik" refers to a factory producing dry photographic plates. Such plates represented one of the primary light-sensitive materials used in photography during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The card also includes contact information for the company's headquarters in Munich as well as references to a distribution depot located in Vienna. This suggests that the firm functioned not only as a manufacturing facility but also as part of a wider regional distribution network.

The Otto Perutz (1847-1922) company was established in Munich during the second half of the nineteenth century and became one of the notable manufacturers within the early photographic industry. Its initial production focused on photographic glass plates, which were widely used by professional photographers and studio operators. As photographic technology evolved, flexible film materials and chemical processing agents gradually gained importance. During this transition the Perutz company expanded its activities to include roll film and various photographic chemicals.

The recipient information printed on the card indicates that the document was sent to a commercial customer or a business engaged in photographic activities. Correspondence cards of this type played an important role in communication between manufacturers and their clients. Companies in the photographic industry frequently used written correspondence for purposes such as order confirmation, product shipment coordination, and technical communication.

The text printed on the reverse side of the card represents a response to a previously submitted order. The message explains that the requested photographic materials have been recorded but cannot be delivered immediately due to temporary production and supply limitations. The company notes that manufacturing operations have been interrupted and are only gradually resuming, while politely asking the customer for patience. The text also mentions that certain photographic materials will remain unavailable for a period of time and clarifies that the company does not produce certain specific items. Such correspondence provides valuable insight into the practical functioning of production and supply systems within the photographic materials trade of the period.

From a postal history perspective the card represents a typical example of printed commercial stationery used by industrial companies. During the early decades of the twentieth century many firms employed pre-printed cards displaying company logos and product imagery. These cards functioned both as practical correspondence tools and as subtle advertising media that reinforced brand recognition among customers.

From a collecting perspective the document may be classified within several thematic categories. It represents an example of commercial ephemera related to the history of the photographic industry. It may also be included in collections focusing on advertising stationery of photographic manufacturers or industrial correspondence. Documents of this type are valuable not only as postal artifacts but also as historical sources illustrating the development of photographic technology and international commercial networks.

In conclusion, the card documents a routine business exchange between a photographic materials manufacturer and one of its customers. At the same time, it provides a small yet meaningful historical glimpse into the production, distribution, and trade structures of the photographic industry during the early twentieth century.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
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