Date of use : 1953 USA

Ansco & GAF: All-Weather Film Promotion, 1953 Cover

General Aniline & Film Corporation (GAF) was established in 1925 in the United States by the German-based company I.G. Farben. Initially, the company produced dyes and chemicals, but over time it shifted to the production of photographic films and equipment. GAF is particularly known for its photographic films and equipment under the Ansco brand. Ansco, an American manufacturer of photographic materials and equipment, was founded in 1842. The company's name is a combination of "Anthony and Scovill," derived from its founders, Edward Anthony and the Scovill Manufacturing Company. Ansco made significant contributions to the photography industry and became a popular brand, especially known for its weather-resistant films.

The red stamp on the envelope contains a promotional slogan: "Ask for Ansco, the all-weather film." This slogan was used to advertise the Ansco brand and emphasize that the films produced by the company are resistant to all weather conditions. The stamp also includes the text "Rensselaer, N.Y." and a date stamp (March 23, 1953), indicating the place and date the letter was sent.

Record Information

Title: Ansco & GAF: All-Weather Film Promotion, 1953 Cover

Category: Photographic Industry History / Advertising & Marketing

Subcategory: Brand Promotion / Commercial Correspondence

Country: USA

City: Rensselaer, New York

Date of use: March 23, 1953

Company (Sender): General Aniline & Film Corporation (GAF), established 1925 in the USA by I.G. Farben. Producer of dyes, chemicals, and photographic films/equipment. Owner of the Ansco brand.

Brand: Ansco – American photographic materials and equipment manufacturer, founded 1842. Name derived from founders Edward Anthony and Scovill Manufacturing Company. Known for weather-resistant films.

Promotional Feature: Red stamp with slogan "Ask for Ansco, the all-weather film" – advertising the brand's key feature (weather resistance).

Object Type: Commercial envelope / advertising mail

Postal Features: Red promotional stamp, Rensselaer, N.Y. postmark dated March 23, 1953

Language: English

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: GAF history, Ansco brand, I.G. Farben connections, mid-century American photography, advertising ephemera, weather-resistant film technology, Edward Anthony and Scovill legacy.

Archival Significance: This 1953 envelope from General Aniline & Film Corporation promotes the Ansco brand with the slogan "Ask for Ansco, the all-weather film." It illustrates mid-century marketing strategies and highlights Ansco's focus on weather-resistant film technology. The red promotional stamp and dated postmark provide precise context. This item is a primary source for understanding brand promotion and product differentiation in the American photographic industry of the 1950s.

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.