Date of use : 1904 Bolivia

Photo-Sport Business Stationery 1904 Bolivia

This postcard represents an important example of early twentieth-century commercial correspondence related to the international trade of photographic equipment between Latin America and Europe. The front side of the card bears the printed inscription "República de Bolivia – Tarjeta Postal," indicating that the item was an official postal card issued by the Bolivian postal administration. The imprinted stamp shows a value of two centavos. The design also includes the inscription "Unión Postal Universal," confirming that Bolivia was part of the Universal Postal Union network that regulated international postal exchanges during this period.

The address section identifies the recipient as "Sr. D. Photo Sport" located at 22 Rue Caumartin, Paris (IXe). Rue Caumartin, situated in the ninth arrondissement of Paris, was a central commercial district during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is likely that this address corresponded to a business involved in the trade of photographic equipment, possibly a retailer or distributor of cameras, accessories, or optical instruments.

The handwritten message on the reverse side of the card is written in Spanish and indicates that the sender was requesting a general catalogue of photographic apparatus from the Parisian firm. In the message the sender politely asks that the catalogue be sent by mail so that he may review the available photographic equipment and potentially place orders. The writer identifies himself as Ángel C. Bantránez and provides an address in Santa Cruz de Bolivia (South America). The message is dated May 1904.

The content of the card illustrates how photographic technology had already begun to circulate globally by the early twentieth century. Cameras and photographic equipment developed and manufactured in Europe attracted interest from customers in distant regions such as Latin America. Many photographic manufacturers and retailers expanded their international markets by distributing catalogues through postal correspondence. Requesting catalogues by postcard was a common method of establishing commercial contact during this period.

From a philatelic perspective, the card displays the typical characteristics of early Bolivian postal stationery. The printed stamp, national emblem, and decorative typography reflect the graphic design conventions used in official postal cards of the time. The inclusion of the Universal Postal Union inscription further indicates that the card was intended for international use.

From a collecting standpoint, the postcard may be associated with several thematic categories. It represents an interesting example of international correspondence related to the trade of photographic equipment. It may also be included in collections devoted to Latin American postal history, early Universal Postal Union postal stationery, and the global diffusion of photographic technology.

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.