Date of use : 1940, Germany

Otto Perutz Dry Plate Factory Stationery, Munich

This commercial postal card represents a business correspondence issued by Otto Perutz Trockenplattenfabrik, a photographic materials manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. The printed letterhead on the card indicates that the company operated as a limited liability firm specializing in the production of dry photographic plates. The header also includes telephone numbers, telegraph information, and banking references, which were typical elements of professional business stationery during the early twentieth century. The address listed on the card, Dachauerstrasse 50 in Munich, was located in an area known for industrial and commercial activity.

The company founded by Otto Perutz (1847-1922) became one of the important producers of photographic materials in Europe from the late nineteenth century onward. Perutz was particularly known for the manufacture of photographic plates and films. Dry plate technology represented a major technical innovation in the history of photography. Compared with the earlier wet collodion process, dry plates allowed photographers to use pre-prepared photographic materials, eliminating the need for chemical preparation at the moment of exposure. This technological improvement significantly simplified photographic practice and contributed to the expansion of photography as both a professional and amateur activity.

The recipient of the correspondence is identified as Albert Grempel, whose business was located in Neustadt bei Coburg. The description "Photo-Kino-Optik" printed next to the address suggests that the recipient operated a retail or distribution business dealing with photographic equipment, cinema apparatus, and optical products. Businesses of this type were essential in supplying photographic technology to local markets during the first half of the twentieth century.

The document is dated 29 March 1940 in Munich. This date falls within the early period of the Second World War. Despite the political and military circumstances of the time, commercial correspondence related to photographic materials appears to have continued. Photographic technologies during this period were not only used for artistic and commercial purposes but also played important roles in scientific, industrial, and military applications.

The upper section of the card bears a red machine cancellation that includes the inscription "Perutz – Das zuverlässige Photomaterial," which translates to "Perutz – the reliable photographic material." This slogan functioned as a promotional message emphasizing the reliability of the company's products. The eagle emblem and numerical imprint within the same cancellation reflect the design of mechanical postage franking machines used in Germany during the period.

From a philatelic perspective the document represents an example of a commercial postal card bearing a machine franking mark. Such postal markings were widely used by large companies in the early twentieth century. They allowed businesses to automate postage payment while simultaneously incorporating advertising messages into their outgoing correspondence.

In terms of collecting categories this item belongs to photographic trade ephemera. It is also relevant for collections focusing on photographic chemistry and the industrial production of photographic materials. Because the Perutz company played a significant role in the European photographic industry, surviving business correspondence from the firm constitutes a valuable source for the study of photographic technology and commerce.

The Rise of Dry Photographic Plates and the Role of the Perutz Company in the Photographic Industry (1880–1940)

During the second half of the nineteenth century photography underwent a significant technological transformation. Early photographic processes, particularly the wet collodion method, were capable of producing highly detailed images but required a complex and time-sensitive workflow. Photographers had to prepare chemical solutions and coat photographic plates immediately before exposure. This requirement imposed practical limitations, especially for field photography and mobile photographic work. The introduction of dry photographic plate technology during the 1870s marked an important step toward overcoming these difficulties and contributed to a new phase in the development of photography.

Dry plates were based on a light-sensitive gelatin emulsion applied to glass plates in advance of photographic use. Because these plates could be prepared industrially in factories, photographers were able to use them directly without performing chemical preparation during the photographic process. This innovation simplified photographic practice and significantly increased the accessibility and speed of image production. From the 1880s onward many manufacturers in Europe and North America began large-scale production of dry photographic plates, and these materials quickly became standard tools in photographic studios and among amateur photographers.

One of the important industrial participants in this transformation was the company founded by the German entrepreneur Otto Perutz. Based in Munich, the Perutz company became active in the production of dry photographic plates during the late nineteenth century. Over time the firm developed a reputation as a reliable manufacturer within the European photographic industry. The Perutz brand became associated with technically dependable emulsions and consistent production quality, qualities that were particularly valued by professional photographers and photographic studios.

The widespread adoption of dry plates not only transformed studio photography but also expanded the use of photography in scientific and technical fields. Disciplines such as astronomy, medicine, and industrial research increasingly relied on photographic plates as recording instruments. High-sensitivity plates allowed astronomers to capture long-exposure images of celestial objects and enabled scientists to document microscopic observations with greater precision. Manufacturers of photographic plates therefore became important suppliers not only for commercial photography but also for scientific research and technological development.

During the early twentieth century photographic technology entered another stage of development. Flexible film materials began to gain popularity, although dry plates continued to be widely used in professional and technical contexts. The expansion of amateur photography and the rapid growth of the motion picture industry created new markets for photographic materials. In response to these developments, companies such as Perutz diversified their production by developing new types of photographic films and emulsions.

By the 1930s the photographic industry in Europe operated within a broad international commercial network. Cameras, optical systems, and photographic chemicals were manufactured in different regions and distributed through extensive trade channels. Cities such as Munich, Dresden, and Berlin were important centers of technological production, while commercial hubs like Leipzig played a significant role in international distribution. Within this network the Perutz company maintained a prominent position as a supplier of photographic materials.

By the 1940s photographic technology was increasingly shifting toward flexible film systems, yet dry photographic plates did not disappear entirely. In certain scientific and technical applications glass plates remained useful because of their stability and image quality. Nevertheless the overall direction of the industry gradually moved toward film-based photographic technologies.

In conclusion the development of dry photographic plates represents one of the most important innovations in the history of photography. This technology simplified the photographic process and contributed to the expansion of both professional and amateur photography. The company founded by Otto Perutz played a notable role within this transformation by producing photographic materials that supported the growth of the photographic industry. The activities of such manufacturers illustrate not only a technical development but also the emergence of photography as a modern industrial and commercial system.

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