Date of use : 1928 France

Photographie J. Meiss Cover to Optical Glass Maker in Alsace

This envelope, bearing the letterhead Photographie J. Meiss, Beinheim (Bas-Rhin), appears to originate from a photographic business operating in the Alsace region of France. Although detailed archival records regarding the firm remain limited, the wording suggests that it functioned as a photography studio, likely providing services such as portrait work, image processing, and related photographic activities.

The recipient of the envelope is identified as Manufacture de Verre Optique, a company associated with Victor Avril and based in Saverne, also within the Alsace region. This firm specialized in the production of optical glass and precision components used in scientific instruments and photographic equipment. Such manufacturers played a crucial role in the development of optical technologies by supplying essential materials for lenses and other technical applications.

The correspondence between these two entities reflects the close relationship between photographic practice and optical manufacturing during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Photography depended heavily on advances in optical science, and collaborations or commercial exchanges between studios and optical producers were an integral part of this ecosystem.

Although the company is no longer active today, its presence in this correspondence highlights the regional network of specialized businesses that supported the growth of photography and optical industries. As such, the envelope serves as a valuable historical document illustrating both commercial interaction and the interconnected nature of these technical fields.

Record Information

Title: Photographie J. Meiss Cover to Optical Glass Maker in Alsace

Category: Photographic Industry History / Regional Commerce

Subcategory: Studio Practices / Optical Manufacturing

Country: France (Alsace region)

City: Beinheim (Bas-Rhin) → Saverne

Date of use: circa 1928

Studio (Sender): Photographie J. Meiss, Beinheim (Bas-Rhin), France. A photographic studio likely offering portrait work, image processing, and related services.

Company (Recipient): Manufacture de Verre Optique (Victor Avril), Saverne, France. Producer of optical glass and precision components for scientific instruments and photographic equipment. Now defunct.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope

Postal Features: French stamps, Alsace postal markings, 1920s commercial correspondence format.

Language: French

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: J. Meiss studio, Victor Avril optical glass, Alsace regional industry, studio-manufacturer relations, photographic supply chains, early 20th-century French commerce.

Archival Significance: This 1928 envelope from J. Meiss's studio to Victor Avril's optical glass works in Alsace documents the symbiotic relationship between photographic practice and optical manufacturing. Studios depended on high-quality glass for lenses, while manufacturers relied on professional users. This item is a primary source for understanding the regional commercial networks that supported the photographic and optical industries in early 20th-century France.

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.