Date of use : 1909 Portugal

Letter to Jules Richard, Inventor of Verascope

This postcard represents an interesting example of commercial communication related to the photographic trade in Europe during the early twentieth century. The printed design on the front of the card bears the inscription "Bilhete Postal – Dez Réis," accompanied by decorative elements including the royal coat of arms of Portugal. This indicates that the card was an official postal stationery item issued by the Portuguese postal administration. The currency unit réis, which appears on the card, was the monetary system used in Portugal prior to the introduction of the escudo in 1911. Consequently, the postcard belongs to the late period of the Portuguese monarchy.

The postal cancellation indicates that the card was mailed from Lisbon (Lisboa) and bears the date 22 April 1909. This date falls within the final years of the Portuguese monarchy. In 1910 a political revolution led to the establishment of the Portuguese Republic, after which many state symbols, including those used on postage and postal stationery, were modified. The royal imagery printed on the card therefore reflects the political and institutional framework of the Portuguese postal system at the time.

The recipient is identified as Jules Richard, with an address on Rue Mélingue in Paris. Jules Richard was a prominent figure in the French photographic industry during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The company founded by Jules Richard (1848–1930) became particularly well known for the production of stereoscopic cameras and viewing devices. One of its most famous products was the Verascope camera, designed to produce stereoscopic photographs that created the illusion of three-dimensional depth. These cameras became widely popular among amateur photographers and contributed significantly to the spread of stereoscopic photography in Europe.

The handwritten text on the reverse side of the postcard is written in French and indicates that the sender is requesting catalogues from the Jules Richard company. The author refers to a small catalogue previously received and explains that it is insufficient, politely asking for additional catalogues to be sent. The request specifically mentions three catalogues, which suggests that the company published separate catalogues for different categories of photographic equipment or accessories. This detail illustrates the importance of printed catalogues in the commercial distribution of photographic technology during the early twentieth century. Manufacturers frequently relied on such catalogues to present product information and facilitate international orders.

The sender's address is written as Rua Alexandre Herculano in Lisbon. This area was part of a developing commercial district of the Portuguese capital at the time. Although the occupation of the sender is not explicitly stated, the request for photographic catalogues suggests that the individual may have been a photographic equipment dealer, a studio operator, or a merchant interested in distributing photographic products.

In the broader economic context of the period, the photographic industry was expanding rapidly across Europe. Advances in photographic technology, including more portable cameras and improved photographic materials, contributed to the widespread adoption of amateur photography. Cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, and Vienna emerged as major centers for the production and distribution of photographic equipment. Companies such as Jules Richard developed extensive commercial networks that allowed their products to circulate widely across European markets.

From a philatelic perspective, the postcard represents a typical example of Portuguese monarchical postal stationery. The presence of two 10 réis stamps likely reflects the postal rate required for international correspondence. The Lisbon cancellation mark and the international address format confirm that the card was sent as a standard international postal item addressed to France.

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