Date of use : 1898 Ottoman Empire

Bernhard Wachtl Card via Deutsche Post in Ottoman Galata

Bernhard Wachtl (1852–1920) was a prominent supplier of photographic materials based in Vienna, Austria. His company, "Photographische Bedarfartikel BERNHARD WACHTL," operated between 1886 and 1938, offering a wide range of products for both professional photographers and amateurs. The company significantly contributed to the photographic industry of its time by providing various camera accessories, chemical supplies, and other consumable materials. Additionally, the company designed the versos (back sides) of cardboard supports used for 19th-century photographic prints.

These designs included logos for photography studios, which were prominently featured on popular print formats such as Carte de Visite and Cabinet photographs. These logos served as both aesthetic and functional elements, helping to establish and promote the brand identity of photography studios. Through these contributions, Bernhard Wachtl played a crucial role in advancing both the commercial and artistic aspects of photography.

If we examine the card, it bears a stamp from Germany (Deutsches Reich) alongside a "Deutsche Post" stamp from the Ottoman Empire. The postage stamp and postmark in the top-right corner read "Constantinopel Deutsche Post" (German Post in Istanbul), indicating that the card was sent from a German postal office operating within Ottoman territory. The postage stamp is marked "20 Para," reflecting its nominal value in the Ottoman currency.

The sender, Paul v. Jancks, requested a catalog order for "12 sheets of carbon paper, size 13x18 cm," providing detailed product information, including the catalog reference and item code. The card was dispatched from Galata, the commercial hub of Istanbul, with the postmark "Galata, Régie." This reference points to the Régie Company, which was a significant enterprise in the Ottoman Empire established with foreign capital, renowned for its administrative and commercial activities in the tobacco trade and other sectors.

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