Date of use : 1956 Chile

Casa Loben: Chilean Photo & Cine Supply Firm's Cover to Germany

This cover represents a commercial correspondence sent from Chile to Germany. The sender is Casa Loben, a company based in Santiago that deals in photographic and cinema equipment. The full name of the company is "Lobenstein y Keller Ltda," indicating that it is a limited liability company founded in partnership between Lobenstein and Keller. From these names, we can infer that the owners or partners of the company might be German nationals. The term "Foto Cine" suggests that the company operates in the fields of photography and cinema equipment.

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.

Date of use : USA

Business Reply Card from Popular Photography Magazine

This card is known as a "Business Reply Card." These types of cards are designed to facilitate responses from a company's customers or potential customers. Business reply cards are typically used for magazine subscriptions, surveys, order forms, or similar requests, and they come with prepaid postage. This means that when the recipient fills out the card and mails it, the postage is paid by the sender. "Popular Photography" (commonly known as "Pop Photo") is a popular magazine published in the United States that offers a wide range of content related to photography. It was first published in 1937. The magazine provides information, technical tips, equipment reviews, and photographs aimed at amateur and professional photographers.

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.

Date of use : 1923 Germany

Carl Zeiss Optical Company and 1923 Order Confirmation Letter

Carl Zeiss is a Germany-based company that produces optical systems, industrial measuring equipment, and medical devices. It was founded in 1846 by Carl Zeiss in Jena, Germany. The company is renowned for its optical lenses, camera objectives, microscopes, binoculars, and other precision optical instruments.

Carl Zeiss is particularly famous for its high-quality lenses in photography and cinematography. The company has collaborated with many well-known camera and cinema equipment manufacturers to produce lenses. These lenses are recognized for their superior optical performance and durability. Zeiss also holds a significant position in the medical field, producing surgical microscopes, ophthalmic devices, and other medical equipment.

One of the important developments in Carl Zeiss's history was the joining of Ernst Abbe in 1866. Abbe revolutionized optical design theory, enhancing Zeiss's ability to produce scientifically accurate optical products. Today, the company continues to be a key player in the global market with its innovative technologies and high-quality products.

The translation of the back page of the card is as follows:

Dear Sir/Madam,
We have received your letter dated March 15th, and we thank you for the order of 1 "Turmon" that you have placed with us.
We would like to inform you that this item will be shipped from the warehouse of Ganz & Co., located at Bahnhofstraße 40 in Zurich.
Yours sincerely, Carl Zeiss Jena. March 21, 1923

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.

Date of use : 1939 Latvia

A. Calitis Riga Photo-Cinema Supply Cover with Zemturi Seal

This cover belongs to A. Calitis, a seller of photographic and cinema equipment located in Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is sealed with a Zemturi stamp (the stamp features the Latvian text "Laiks izremontēt mašīnas," which appears to be a reminder from the brand or business "Zemturi" indicating that it is time for machine repairs). The recipient is not specified on the envelope, but there is a note indicating "Posts afternoon."

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.

Date of use : USA

Wheeler Studio Envelope with Proof Instructions, Pittsfield MA

This envelope was sent from the Wheeler photographic studio located at 150 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The information on the envelope gives clients important details such as how to preserve their proofs and how much to pay for re-sessions. It also states that the images will be smoothed and unwanted marks will be removed.

The text on the envelope is as follows:

Keep from strong light or they will fade. Proofs are taken from the negative and only one side-polishing and resmoothing. The picture when finished will be smooth and all objectionable marks removed. Re-sittings 25 cents. Return all proofs and write your orders on the back of the proof you wish finished from. Enlargements of all kinds.

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.

Date of use : 2024 Poland

Photographic Legacy: Szczepanik & Philatelic Tribute

A personal envelope used by the Polish historian, researcher, and collector Mr. Krzysztof K. SLOWINSKI, who is also the owner of the website https://www.photographyinphilately.com. Additionally, the envelope features a 1.95 Zloty stamp that commemorates JAN SZCZEPANIK (1872-1926). Szczepanik made numerous innovations in fields such as textiles, photography, cinematography, and others.

His major inventions can be listed as follows: Jan Szczepanik played a significant role in the development of color photography. He laid the foundations of color photo printing with a method known as the 'Szczepanik Patent.' In the field of weaving machines, Szczepanik was also a pioneer.

He developed machines capable of automatically creating weaving patterns, which revolutionized the textile industry. Furthermore, Szczepanik made innovations in the military field, particularly in the development of bulletproof vests. One of his inventions even helped save the life of King Alfonso XIII of Spain during an assassination attempt.

In addition to these, Szczepanik worked on a device called the 'telektroskop,' which can be considered a precursor to television. This device enabled the remote transmission of images, laying the groundwork for television 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.

Date of use : 1925 Romania

Voigtländer & Sohn A.G. Postcard with 1925 Entry Stamp

Voigtländer & Sohn A.G. is one of Germany's oldest optical companies, specializing in the production of optical devices and cameras. It was founded in 1756 in Vienna by Johann Christoph Voigtländer. The company is known for its pioneering inventions and high-quality products in the field of photography and optics. In 1840, Voigtländer produced the first fully metal-bodied camera and, in 1841, the first mathematically calculated photographic lens, known as the "Petzval lens." In 1868, Voigtländer & Sohn relocated from Vienna to Braunschweig and later became a joint-stock company (A.G. - Aktiengesellschaft).

Voigtländer & Sohn A.G. specialized in the production of optical instruments, binoculars, microscopes, telescopes, and particularly cameras. The company's headquarters in Braunschweig was the heart of its production and innovation during its most productive periods. By the early 20th century, the company had become one of the world leaders in camera manufacturing.

Additionally, the blue stamp "Eingang" (meaning "entry" in German) on the card is typically used to record the receipt of mail by a company or organization. This stamp indicates that the postcard was received by Voigtländer & Sohn A.G. on June 17, 1925.

The writing on the back of the card states:

"Please send me the current price list for Voigtländer & Sohn's cameras and lenses. Also, kindly inform me if you still have copies of Erwin Raupp's 'Porträtstudien' (Portrait Studies) album available, and provide the price. Thank you, with best regards. Al. Poni, (Romania) Lawyer."

Furthermore, the card mentions Erwin Raupp (1863-1931), a photographer and artist born in Germany. He was influential in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly known for his portrait photography work.

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.

Date of use : 1911 Latvia

M. Buzlera Riga Cover – Multilingual Photo Supply Envelope

This cover belongs to the M. Buzlera company located in Riga (Latvia), which was within the borders of the Russian Empire at that time. The envelope features three different languages (Latvian, German, Russian), displaying the title of the company as a factory and store for photographic materials. This indicates that the company was engaged in the production and sale of photographic materials and accessories. Unfortunately, we do not have much information about the company.

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.

Date of use : Egypt

Hrant Nassibian & Co. – Cine-Photo Pioneer in Egypt

H. Nassibian (Hrant Nassibian) was an Egyptian businessman of Armenian descent. He founded the company Hrant Nassibian & Co. Cine-Photo, which specialized in the importation of photographic and cinematic equipment. The company contributed to the growth of the cinema industry in Egypt and supported the spread of photography.

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.

Date of use : 1899 France

1899 Kodak Envelope: Brand Protection in Early Photography

In 1899, a business envelope with a KODAK letterhead was sent from Paris to Argentan. The envelope bears the inscription, "Aucun Appareil Photographique n'est un KODAK s'il n'est fabriqué par la Cie Eastman et ne porte sa marque" ("No photographic apparatus is a KODAK unless it is manufactured by the Eastman Company and bears its trademark").

This text serves as a warning used by the Eastman Kodak Company to promote its original Kodak-branded products and protect against counterfeit items. Eastman Kodak Company, founded in 1888 by George Eastman, is an American company that revolutionized photography. It is known for its cameras, films, and other photographic products. The envelope is addressed to the train manager in Argentan.

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.

Date of use : 1930 Bulgaria

Benö Fischer: Sofia-Based Photo Supplier with Global Reach

Benö Fischer is a company that sells photographic supplies in Sofia. Although we do not have much information about the company, the details on the envelope indicate that the company also engages in international trade and has a wide range of products. The recipient of the envelope is a German engineer named Herrn J. Schüssler from Berlin, Germany. The German and Bulgarian texts on the envelope state, "Wholesale and retail sale of photographic supplies."

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.

Date of use : 1938 Germany

Foto Heumann: German-Colombian Photography Studio in 1938

This cover was sent by airmail from Germany to Colombia in 1938. Foto Heumann is a prominent photography studio operating in Barranquilla, Colombia. Its founder, Hermann Heumann, is a photographer of German origin. The company specialized in portrait photography, commercial photography, and documentary photography.

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.