Date of use : 1949 Germany

Envelope Sent to Photo Pharmacy Robert Erdmann in Germany

Envelope from Bentgraf & Franck G.M.B.H. to Drogerie und Photohaus Robert Erdmann. The recipient company is also a pharmacy. Bentgraf & Franck is a company located in Lahr/Schwarzwald, Germany. Based on the information on the envelope, this company operated in the production of cardboard boxes, stationery, and printing services. The "Postcheck-Konto" on the envelope refers to an account number used for transferring money via post at that time (located in Karlsruhe). The "Drogerie und Photohaus" part indicates that the envelope was sent to a business owned by Robert Erdmann ("Drogerie" in German refers to a pharmacy or a store that sells health products, while "Photohaus" refers to a shop that sells photographic supplies).

During this period, pharmacies played an unexpectedly significant role in the popularization of photography. As places where chemicals could be safely and conveniently accessed, they became invaluable resources for both amateur and professional photographers. Through services like film development and photo printing, pharmacies helped spread photography to society and made it more accessible to the general public. By the mid-20th century, this practice gave way to more specialized photography stores.

Additionally, the blue stamp on the envelope is a type of tax stamp.

Record Information

Title: Envelope Sent to Photo Pharmacy Robert Erdmann in Germany

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: Pharmacy-Photography Connection / Post-War Commerce

Country: Germany

City: Lahr/Schwarzwald (Sender) → (Recipient city, unknown)

Date of use: 1949

Company (Sender): Bentgraf & Franck G.M.B.H., Lahr/Schwarzwald. Manufacturer of cardboard boxes, stationery, and printing services. Postcheck-Konto (postal transfer account) in Karlsruhe.

Company (Recipient): Drogerie und Photohaus Robert Erdmann. A hybrid business combining a pharmacy/drugstore ("Drogerie") with a photographic supply shop ("Photohaus").

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope

Postal Features: Blue tax stamp, Postcheck-Konto reference, German postal markings

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Bentgraf & Franck history, Robert Erdmann pharmacy, pharmacy-photography connection, post-war German commerce, hybrid retail models, tax stamps, postal transfer accounts.

Archival Significance: This 1949 envelope illustrates the important role of pharmacies in the popularization of photography. The recipient, "Drogerie und Photohaus Robert Erdmann," exemplifies the hybrid retail model where pharmacies sold photographic supplies and offered services like film development due to their access to chemicals. The blue tax stamp and Postcheck-Konto add postal history context. This item is a primary source for understanding how photography became accessible to the general public through local pharmacies in mid-20th century Germany.

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.