Date of use : Yugoslavia 1977

Fotokemika and T.L.L. Prevalje: Yugoslav Industrial Exchange

Fotokemika is a company founded in 1947 in Zagreb, Croatia. Its name means 'Photographic Chemistry' and it specialises in the production of photographic film, photographic paper and chemical materials used in photography. During the Yugoslavian period, it gained a reputation as one of the leading manufacturers of photographic materials in Eastern Europe. The expression 'Tvornica filmova i fotopapira' indicates that the company was a factory producing film and photographic paper.

Fotokemika was established as part of Yugoslavia's industrialisation plans after World War II, aiming at local production to reduce dependence on imports of photographic equipment and materials. The company first entered the industry by producing photographic film and paper. Over time, Fotokemika began to supply all parts of Yugoslavia and the Eastern Bloc countries, expanding its product range to include black and white films, colour films, photographic printing papers and darkroom chemicals. The company started exporting to Western Europe in the 1960s and gained great popularity among art photographers, especially with Ekfe films with low ISO values, high resolution and wide tonal range. It also produced a wide range of photographic papers with different surface finishes and contrast levels.

However, in 2014, due to financial difficulties and declining demand, the company ceased production and was closed down.

The sender on the envelope is Tovarna Lesovine in Lepenke Prevalje (T.L.L.). This company is a company operating in Slovenia (then Yugoslavia) and, as the name suggests, engaged in the production of wood products and cardboard (lepenke). Prevalje is located in the north of Slovenia, close to the Austrian border. The T.L.L. factory most likely produced wood and wood-derived products, which it supplied to various industries throughout Yugoslavia. The 'Prevalje' on the envelope, together with the registered postal label, confirms that this envelope was sent from Prevalje, Slovenia.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
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