Date of use : 1931 Austria

Photographic Postcard Sent to Herr Weidinger in Linz

This postcard represents a piece of correspondence sent from Eisenstadt, Austria, to a photographer identified as Herr Weidinger, residing in Linz. The nature of the communication, combined with the reference to photographic work in the message, suggests that Weidinger was likely engaged in professional photographic activity, possibly operating a studio or workshop serving local clients.

The visual component of the postcard features a landscape view of Eisenstadt and its surrounding terrain. This type of imagery was characteristic of early twentieth-century postcard production, where urban and regional views were widely circulated as both souvenirs and visual records. The credit line "Phot. P. Ledermann, Wien I," located in the lower section of the image, indicates that the photograph was produced by a photographer or studio based in Vienna. This attribution highlights the role of larger urban centers, such as Vienna, in the production and distribution of photographic prints intended for broader circulation.

The reverse side of the postcard contains a brief message written in German, offering insight into a commercial or professional exchange. The sender expresses appreciation for a previously received photograph, noting the quality of its processing. At the same time, the message raises a practical concern regarding pricing, requesting that the cost of the photograph be clearly indicated. This detail suggests an ongoing business relationship in which photographic services, including production and delivery, were accompanied by routine administrative communication.

Taken as a whole, the postcard illustrates the interconnected nature of photographic practice, print production, and communication within Central Europe. It reflects how photographers, clients, and intermediary producers interacted across different cities, forming a network that supported both the artistic and commercial dimensions of photography. As such, the document serves not only as a visual artifact but also as evidence of the everyday workings of photographic exchange in its historical context.

Record Information

Title: Photographic Postcard Sent to Herr Weidinger in Linz

Category: Photographic History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: Studio Practices / Postcard Networks

Country: Austria

City: Eisenstadt (Origin) → Linz (Recipient)

Date of use: 1931

Photographer (Recipient): Herr Weidinger, Linz. Likely a professional photographer operating a studio or workshop.

Image Credit: Phot. P. Ledermann, Wien I. Vienna-based photographer or studio responsible for producing the landscape image.

Object Type: Illustrated photographic postcard

Visual Content: Landscape view of Eisenstadt and surrounding hills.

Message Summary (Reverse): Appreciation for a received photograph (noting quality), request for pricing information, indicating an ongoing business relationship.

Language: German

Material: Paper postcard

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: Austrian photographic history, P. Ledermann, Weidinger studio, commercial photography networks, postcard production, client-photographer communication, 1930s visual culture.

Archival Significance: This 1931 postcard documents the commercial exchange between a client and photographer Herr Weidinger in Linz. The message praising print quality and requesting pricing reflects routine business communication. The image credit to P. Ledermann, Wien I, illustrates the role of urban studios in producing and distributing photographic prints. This item is a primary source for understanding the interconnected networks of photographers, clients, and producers in early 20th-century Austria.

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.