Date of use : 1948 Germany

Ewald Behrend – Photographic Materials Dealer

This envelope represents an important example of commercial postal communication reflecting the reconstruction of trade and postal networks in Germany after the Second World War. The sender identified on the envelope is Ewald Behrend Foto–Kino Fachhandlung, a photographic and cinema equipment retailer operating in Berlin. The printed heading on the envelope indicates that the business was not limited to retail sales but also engaged in manufacturing and wholesale distribution. The expressions "Detail – Fabrikation – Engros" suggest that the company served both individual customers and broader commercial distribution networks. The business address is given as Zossener Strasse 40 in the Berlin SW 29 district, an area historically associated with commercial activity in the city.

The recipient named on the envelope is Max Hackner, described as a "Lichtbildner," a German term historically used to denote a photographer or photographic professional. This designation indicates that the recipient was likely operating a photographic studio or working professionally within the photographic field. The address places the recipient in the town of Dachau in Bavaria, located near Munich. As a regional center with commercial connections to southern Germany, Dachau provided a suitable environment for professional photographic activity. The correspondence therefore reflects a commercial relationship between a photographic equipment supplier in Berlin and a professional photographer operating in Bavaria, illustrating the re-establishment of photographic supply networks in postwar Germany.

One of the most striking features of the envelope is the large number of postage stamps attached to its surface. The stamps bear the inscription "Deutsche Post" and belong to early issues used during the period when the German postal system was reorganized after the war. The use of stamps of various denominations indicates that the required postal fee was assembled through the combined use of multiple small-value stamps. Such practices were relatively common in the immediate postwar period due to currency reforms, shortages of certain stamp denominations, and the evolving structure of postal tariffs.

The reverse side of the envelope displays an entire sheet of 2 Pfennig stamps affixed directly to the surface. This feature is particularly notable from a philatelic perspective. Such usage generally occurred when large or heavy commercial mail required higher postage rates, necessitating the application of numerous low-value stamps. The attachment of entire stamp sheets to envelopes served as a practical method for completing the required postage. Examples of this type represent interesting aspects of postal practice in the early postwar German postal system.

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