Date of use : 1941, Germany

Agfa Photographic Materials Manufacturer

This envelope represents an important example of commercial postal correspondence reflecting the institutional structure of the German photographic and chemical industries during the mid-twentieth century. The printed heading in the lower left corner identifies the sender as I.G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft – Agfa, Berlin SO 36. This indicates that the envelope was sent by Agfa (Aktien-Gesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation), a company operating within the industrial conglomerate I.G. Farben. Agfa was internationally recognized for the production of photographic films, photographic papers, and chemical materials used in photography.

I.G. Farbenindustrie AG was established in 1925 through the merger of several major German chemical companies. Firms such as BASF, Bayer, Hoechst, and Agfa became part of this large industrial consortium, which soon developed into one of the largest chemical production networks in the world during the first half of the twentieth century. The group was active not only in dyes and chemical manufacturing but also played a significant role in the development of photographic technology. Under the Agfa brand, the company produced photographic films, papers, and later color photographic systems that became influential in the European photographic industry.

The postal cancellation visible on the envelope reads "Berlin SO 36 – 14.11.41." This indicates that the item was mailed on 14 November 1941 from the southeastern postal district of Berlin. The date places the document within the context of the Second World War. During this period German industrial companies attempted to maintain both civilian and military production. Firms such as Agfa continued to manufacture photographic and optical materials that were used not only for civilian photography but also for scientific documentation, military reconnaissance, and propaganda purposes.

Next to the cancellation mark appears a red advertising slogan reading "Filmen Sie farbig mit Agfacolor-Schmalfilm," which translates as "Film in color with Agfacolor narrow film." Advertising slogans incorporated into postal markings were relatively common in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. The Agfacolor system, developed in the late 1930s, represented an important innovation in color photography and was used particularly in amateur cinematography and motion picture production.

Record Information

Title: I.G. Farben / Agfa Business Envelope (Berlin)

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: German Chemical Industry / Postal Advertising

Country: Germany (Sender: Berlin) → Germany (Recipient)

City: Berlin (Sender: I.G. Farben / Agfa) → [Domestic Recipient]

Date of use: 14 November 1941

Company (Sender): I.G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft – Agfa, Berlin SO 36, Germany. Agfa (Aktien-Gesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation) was a major manufacturer of photographic films, papers, and chemical materials, operating within the I.G. Farben industrial conglomerate.

Object Type: Commercial envelope (business correspondence with advertising slogan cancellation)

Postal Features: German "Deutsches Reich" postage stamp; Berlin SO 36 postal cancellation (14 November 1941); red advertising slogan "Filmen Sie farbig mit Agfacolor-Schmalfilm" (Film in color with Agfacolor narrow film).

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard commercial envelope format

Collection Theme: I.G. Farben, Agfa, Berlin photographic industry, German chemical conglomerates, Agfacolor, color film advertising, postal advertising slogans, wartime postal history, 1940s German postal system.

Archival Significance: This 1941 envelope documents correspondence from Agfa within the I.G. Farben conglomerate, featuring a red postal advertising slogan promoting Agfacolor color film, illustrating the marketing strategies of the German photographic industry during World War II.

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.