Date of use : 1939 Latvia

Latvian Firm K. Krastins and Its Role in Photographic Supply

This cover belongs to a company named K. Krastins, located in the city of Valmiera, Latvia. Although there isn't much information available about the company, it is known to operate in various fields, including the sale of photographic paper. (VEF radio, photo paper, electrical accessories, and GEO bicycle dealership). The recipient address on the envelope is the Riga Postal Processing Department.

Additionally, there is a Zemturi seal on the envelope. Zemturi could refer to the name of a village or town, but it might also be a business or organization. The phrase "Laiks izremontēt mašīnas" on the seal means "Time to Repair Machines" in Latvian. This seal likely indicates that machine repair services were being offered during a specific period when the envelope was sent.

Record Information

Title: Latvian Firm K. Krastins and Its Role in Photographic Supply

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Diversification

Subcategory: Multi-Industry Business / Postal History

Country: Latvia

City: Valmiera (Sender) → Riga (Recipient: Postal Processing Department)

Date of use: 1939

Company (Sender): K. Krastins, Valmiera, Latvia. A diversified business engaged in: VEF radio sales, photographic paper, electrical accessories, and GEO bicycle dealership.

Recipient: Riga Postal Processing Department (institutional/governmental address).

Distinctive Marking: Zemturi seal with phrase "Laiks izremontēt mašīnas" (Time to Repair Machines). Likely indicates a machine repair service or a related business/organization.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope (business correspondence)

Postal Features: Latvian stamps, Riga postal markings, Zemturi seal, address to postal authority

Language: Latvian

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: K. Krastins company history, Latvian commercial diversification, VEF radio, photographic paper trade, GEO bicycles, Zemturi seal meaning, pre-WWII Baltic business, postal communications.

Archival Significance: This 1939 envelope from K. Krastins in Valmiera illustrates the diversified nature of Latvian businesses, combining photographic paper sales with VEF radios, electrical accessories, and GEO bicycles. The Zemturi seal with "Laiks izremontēt mašīnas" adds a layer of service context. Addressed to the Riga Postal Processing Department, it reflects institutional communication. This item is a primary source for understanding the commercial landscape and photographic supply chains in pre-WWII Latvia.

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.