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.
📜✍️
REVERSE SIDE - HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE (TRANSCRIPTION & TRANSLATION)
French → English
📝 Original French text (handwritten):
"12 Rua Alexandre Herculano 2°
Lisbonne, le 21-IV-1909
Lisbonne – Portugal
Monsieur Richard,
Je vous remercie du petit catalogue que vous m'avez envoyé, toutefois il ne m'est pas assez; je vous prie de vouloir bien m'envoyer les autres, trois catalogues.
Je vous remercie d'avance, et croyez, Monsieur, à l'assurance de mes civilités empressées.
Moses Benabat Amzalak"
Lisbonne, le 21-IV-1909
Lisbonne – Portugal
Monsieur Richard,
Je vous remercie du petit catalogue que vous m'avez envoyé, toutefois il ne m'est pas assez; je vous prie de vouloir bien m'envoyer les autres, trois catalogues.
Je vous remercie d'avance, et croyez, Monsieur, à l'assurance de mes civilités empressées.
Moses Benabat Amzalak"
📖 English translation:
"12 Rua Alexandre Herculano, 2nd floor
Lisbon, 21 April 1909
Lisbon – Portugal
Dear Mr. Richard,
Thank you for the small catalogue you sent me; however, it is not sufficient for my needs. I kindly ask you to send the others, three additional catalogues.
Thank you in advance, and please accept my respectful regards,
Moses Benabat Amzalak"
📷 Context: This postcard documents a catalogue request from Moses Benabat Amzalak in Lisbon to Jules Richard, the French inventor of the Verascope stereoscopic camera. The sender requests three additional catalogues, indicating a commercial interest in Richard's photographic equipment.
Record Information
Title: Jules Richard Company Business Postcard (Lisbon to Paris)
Category: Photographic Industry History / International Commercial Correspondence
Subcategory: Portuguese Postal Stationery / French Camera Manufacturers
Country: Portugal (Sender: Lisbon) → France (Recipient: Paris)
🗺️ Show Route
City: Lisbon (Sender: Moses Benabat Amzalak) → Paris (Recipient: Jules Richard)
Date of use: 21 April 1909
Sender: Moses Benabat Amzalak, Rua Alexandre Herculano 12, 2°, Lisbon, Portugal
Company (Recipient): Jules Richard, 25 Rue Mélingue, Paris, France. A French photographic equipment manufacturer founded by Jules Richard (1848–1930), known for producing stereoscopic cameras including the Verascope, as well as viewing devices and photographic accessories.
Object Type: Postal stationery postcard (Portuguese monarchy issue)
Postal Route 🚢🚂📮 (Estimated Route): Lisbon, Portugal → Paris, France (21 April 1909)
Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 4-6 days (maritime/railway via Madrid, Bordeaux)
Postal Features: Portuguese 10-réis postal stationery with royal coat of arms; Lisbon postal cancellation (22 April 1909).
Language: French / Portuguese
Material: Paper (postcard stock)
Dimensions: Standard postcard format
Collection Theme: Jules Richard, Verascope, stereoscopic cameras, Portuguese postal stationery, Lisbon commerce, Moses Benabat Amzalak, French photographic manufacturing, catalogue distribution, 1900s postal history, Portugal-France trade.
Archival Significance: This 1909 Portuguese postal stationery postcard documents a request for catalogues from the French stereoscopic camera manufacturer Jules Richard (inventor of the Verascope), illustrating the international distribution of photographic equipment catalogues and the commercial networks connecting the Portuguese and French photographic trades in the early twentieth century.
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.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
For academic reference, please refer to How to Cite This Archive.
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