Date of use : 1972, Sweden

Polaroid AB Parcel Form with Advertising Meter

This document represents a parcel address card used within the Swedish postal system and is associated with a shipment of photographic materials sent by Polaroid AB. The printed elements at the top of the card indicate that the shipment originated from the Polaroid AB office located in Skärholmen, near Stockholm. Postal markings and processing stamps suggest that the item circulated through the Swedish domestic postal network during the second half of the twentieth century. The phrase "Fotoartiklar" printed on the card clearly indicates that the parcel contained photographic materials.

Polaroid is widely recognized as one of the most influential companies in the development of twentieth-century photographic technology. The firm was founded by Edwin H. Land, whose early research in the 1930s focused on optical filters and polarization technology. In later years the company introduced instant photography systems that allowed photographs to develop shortly after exposure. This innovation transformed the Polaroid brand into an internationally recognized name in photographic technology.

The instant photography system developed by Polaroid gained significant popularity during the 1950s and 1960s. During this period the company expanded its operations beyond the United States and established distribution networks across Europe. The Polaroid AB office in Sweden functioned as one of the regional centers within this international system. Such offices were responsible for organizing the sale and distribution of cameras, film products, and photographic accessories.

The address information visible on the card indicates that the parcel was sent to a recipient located within Sweden, most likely a customer or a commercial retailer. The design of the card reflects a standardized form used by the Swedish postal service for parcel shipments. These address cards recorded details about the contents, weight, and delivery status of parcels. The presence of signature and confirmation sections on the form indicates that the system also served as a method for documenting the receipt of the package by the recipient.

From the perspective of postal history the card illustrates the development of modern postal logistics in Sweden. By the mid-twentieth century postal systems had expanded their role beyond the transportation of letters and increasingly handled commercial parcel shipments. The distribution of technical products such as photographic equipment and materials often depended on these postal and transportation networks.

The franking section printed on the card suggests that the postage was calculated and applied through mechanical processing. Mechanical franking systems were commonly used for commercial shipments because they provided efficiency and standardization in postal operations. The various processing marks and stamps visible on the card document the official procedures carried out during the acceptance and distribution of the parcel.

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.