Date of use : 1938 Mexico

La Union Quimica Cover to I.G. Farben with Agfa Logo

This envelope was sent by the chemical company La Union Quimica, S.A., operating in Mexico, and bears the famous Agfa logo. Agfa was a pioneering German brand in the production of photography and film products during the 20th century and played a significant role in the photography and chemical industries. The recipient section includes the name "I.G. Farbenindustrie A.G.," a large German company that operated between 1925 and 1945, producing dyes, pharmaceuticals, and photographic materials. Additionally, the term "Abteilung Foto Uebersee" found in the recipient section translates to "Photography Overseas Department" and highlights the company's international trade activities.

The "Correo Aéreo" (Air Mail) stamp on the envelope indicates that it was transported by air, providing a glimpse into the fast and modern postal services of the era. Agfa's influence in the international market was strengthened in 1928 when it acquired the American photography manufacturer Ansco. Later, it merged with the Belgian company Gevaert, becoming Agfa-Gevaert and establishing itself as a significant player on a global scale.

Record Information

Title: La Union Quimica Cover to I.G. Farben with Agfa Logo

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: International Trade / Airmail

Country: Mexico (Origin) / Germany (Destination)

City: Mexico City → Berlin

Date of use: c. 1938 (based on design and I.G. Farben period 1925-1945)

Sender: La Union Quimica, S.A., Paseo de la Reforma 5, Apartado 2819, Mexico D.F.

Recipient: I.G. Farbenindustrie A.G., Abteilung Foto Uebersee (Photography Overseas Department), Berlin SO36

Object Type: International airmail cover / business correspondence

Postal Features: "CORREO AEREO" markings (front and back), Mexican airmail stamps, Agfa logo prominently displayed

Companies: Agfa (German photographic brand, acquired Ansco 1928, later merged with Gevaert to form Agfa-Gevaert); I.G. Farbenindustrie A.G. (German chemical conglomerate, 1925-1945)

Language: Spanish / German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Agfa corporate history, I.G. Farben networks, Mexico-Germany trade, pre-WWII commerce, photographic industry supply chains

Archival Significance: This 1930s envelope documents the commercial relationship between La Union Quimica, a Mexican chemical company, and I.G. Farben's Photography Overseas Department in Berlin. The prominent Agfa logo illustrates the brand's integration into I.G. Farben's vast industrial empire (1925-1945). Agfa, a pioneering German photographic manufacturer, had strengthened its international position by acquiring American firm Ansco in 1928, later merging with Gevaert to become Agfa-Gevaert. The "CORREO AEREO" markings highlight the importance of airmail for transatlantic commerce in the pre-war era. This item is a primary source for understanding the global reach of I.G. Farben's photographic division, the distribution networks connecting Latin America with German chemical and photographic industries, and the commercial infrastructure that supported Agfa's international presence before World War II.

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.

Date of use : 1942 Argentina

Photo Produits Gevaert Registered Cover to Switzerland with Censorship

Photo Produits Gevaert letterhead. Gevaert was founded in 1894 in the town of Mortsel, near Antwerp, Belgium, by Lieven Gevaert. The company quickly gained prominence in the industry with its production of photographic paper and chemicals for black-and-white photography. In 1964, Gevaert merged with the Germany-based company Agfa, forming "Agfa-Gevaert." This merger brought together the strengths of both companies, creating a world-leading corporation in photography, industrial imaging, and medical imaging. Today, Agfa-Gevaert focuses on digital imaging technologies, industrial printing, and the healthcare sector, moving away from traditional photography. When examining the details on the envelope, we first encounter the phrase "Placas - Films - Papeles."

This phrase, in Spanish, translates to "plates, films, and papers," indicating a wide range of photography-related products offered by the company. The slogan "Para Fotografias Perfectas" translates to "For Perfect Photographs," emphasizing the company's commitment to providing high-quality products. The envelope was sent as certified mail, marked with the term "Certificado" (tracking number). The recipient's details include the phrase "Geschwister Sommerhalder" (Sommerhalder siblings), indicating that the envelope was addressed to a family or business in Switzerland.

On the back of the envelope, the text "Est. Victoria F.C.C.A." is noticeable. "Estación Victoria" (Victoria Station) and "F.C.C.A." (Ferrocarril Central Argentino) point to a railway company in Argentina or a mailing address near that region. Additionally, the envelope bears an opening note label that reads: "Opened by Examiner 5013." This statement indicates that the envelope was opened and inspected by a censorship officer.

Such practices were common during wartime or periods of heightened security. The number "5013" refers to the identifier of the censoring officer. The phrase "P.C. 90" likely denotes a censorship procedure or a legal reference. The blue number "607" on the envelope likely corresponds to a censorship record or an internal processing number for the mail. Lastly, the stamp at the bottom represents the arrival mark from the postal office in the destination country.

Record Information

Title: Photo Produits Gevaert Registered Cover to Switzerland with Censorship

Category: Photographic Industry History / Wartime Postal History

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Censored Mail

Country: Argentina (Origin) / Switzerland (Destination)

City: Buenos Aires → Gontenschwil (Aargau)

Date of use: 1942 (World War II period)

Company: Photo Produits Gevaert (Gevaert founded 1894 by Lieven Gevaert, Mortsel, Belgium; merged with Agfa 1964 to form Agfa-Gevaert)

Products: Placas (plates), Films, Papeles (papers) for photography

Slogan: "Para Fotografias Perfectas" (For Perfect Photographs)

Address: Bartolomé Mitre 1902/40, Buenos Aires

Recipient: Geschwister Sommerhalder, Schwarzenberg 336, Gontenschwil (Aargau), Switzerland

Object Type: Registered commercial cover / business correspondence

Postal Features: "Certificado" (registered) label R 10042, censorship marking "Opened by Examiner 5013", "P.C. 90", blue number "607", railway marking "Est. Victoria F.C.C.A." (Ferrocarril Central Argentino), arrival stamp

Language: Spanish / German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Gevaert corporate history, Argentina-Switzerland trade, WWII censorship, neutral country correspondence, photographic supply networks

Archival Significance: This 1942 registered cover from Photo Produits Gevaert in Buenos Aires to the Sommerhalder family in Switzerland documents international photographic trade during World War II. Gevaert, founded in Belgium in 1894 by Lieven Gevaert, was a leading manufacturer of photographic plates, films, and papers. The company's slogan "Para Fotografias Perfectas" and product list reflect its commitment to quality. The envelope's wartime journey is documented by multiple censorship markings: "Opened by Examiner 5013," "P.C. 90," and the blue number "607"—evidence of Allied or neutral censorship of mail between neutral Argentina and Switzerland. The railway marking "Est. Victoria F.C.C.A." indicates transport via Argentina's Central Railway. This item is a primary source for understanding the operations of Gevaert's South American distribution network, the challenges of international commerce during WWII, and the material evidence of wartime postal surveillance affecting neutral countries' correspondence.

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.

Date of use : 1963 DDR

Woldemar Beier Camera Factory Shipping Card from Freital, Germany

Package Card. Kamera-Fabrik Woldemar Beier was a camera factory operating in Freital, near the city of Dresden, Germany. The company was founded in 1923 by Woldemar Beier and initially produced wooden plate cameras. In 1932, Beier expanded its product range by introducing its first 35mm camera model. After World War II, the company managed to remain independent until 1959. However, starting from that year, the East German state took over a significant portion of the company.

During this period, Beier produced its first semi-automatic camera model, the "Beier-Matic." In 1972, the company was fully nationalized and renamed "VEB Kamerafabrik Freital." Later, Beier was merged with other companies such as Karl Pouva Kamerafabrik, Tharand-Werke, and Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig (Weixdorf).

Note: These types of documents are historically significant as they illustrate the functioning of postal services. In particular, documents from the DDR (German Democratic Republic) period are important resources for understanding international trade and postal relations during the Cold War era.

Record Information

Title: Woldemar Beier Camera Factory Shipping Card from Freital, Germany

Category: Photographic Manufacturing History / Postal History

Subcategory: East German Industry / Cold War Commerce

Country: German Democratic Republic (DDR)

City: Freital (near Dresden)

Date of use: 1963 (based on packaging card design and period)

Company: Kamera-Fabrik Woldemar Beier (founded 1923 by Woldemar Beier, Freital)

Product History: Initially wooden plate cameras (1923), first 35mm camera (1932), Beier-Matic semi-automatic model (post-WWII), remained independent until 1959, nationalized 1972 as VEB Kamerafabrik Freital

Later Mergers: Karl Pouva Kamerafabrik, Tharand-Werke, Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig (Weixdorf)

Object Type: International package shipping card / commercial dispatch document

Postal Features: DDR postal markings, international shipping documentation, "Bulletin d'expédition" / "Paketkarte" format

Language: German / French

Material: Printed card stock

Dimensions: Standard package card format

Collection Theme: East German camera industry, Cold War trade, socialist manufacturing, camera export documentation

Archival Significance: This 1960s package card from Kamera-Fabrik Woldemar Beier documents the operations of a significant East German camera manufacturer during the Cold War. Founded in 1923, Beier produced wooden plate cameras and later 35mm models (1932), remaining independent until partial state takeover in 1959. The company's Beier-Matic represented East German innovation in semi-automatic cameras. This shipping document, in the international "Bulletin d'expédition" / "Paketkarte" format, illustrates the export of photographic equipment from the DDR. The bilingual (German/French) form reflects international postal agreements. Beier's 1972 nationalization as VEB Kamerafabrik Freital and subsequent mergers exemplify the consolidation of East German industry. This item is a primary source for understanding camera manufacturing in socialist economies, the infrastructure of international trade during the Cold War, and the material culture of East German photographic exports.

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.

Date of use : 1928 Portugal

1928 Portugal to Paris: Photo Presto Wholesale Photo Equipment Envelope

On February 2, 1928, a letter was sent from a business owned by Manuel Contente Pinto in Coimbra, Portugal, to the Photo Presto company located in Paris, France. Although we do not have much information about Photo Presto, advertisements in newspapers and magazines from the period indicate that the company was engaged in the wholesale and retail sales of photography, cinema, and phonograph equipment.

Record Information

Title: 1928 Portugal to Paris: Photo Presto Wholesale Photo Equipment Envelope

Category: Photographic Trade History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: International Trade / Wholesale Distribution

Country: Portugal (Origin) / France (Destination)

City: Coimbra → Paris

Date of use: 2 February 1928

Sender: Manuel Contente Pinto, Opticina de Tanoaria a Electricidade, Rua da Moeda, Coimbra, Portugal (Telephone N-055)

Recipient: Photo Presto, Rue Vivienne 33, Paris, France (Bourse 2.e)

Object Type: Commercial postal cover / business correspondence

Business Scope: Photography, cinema, phonograph equipment (wholesale and retail)

Language: Portuguese / French

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Portuguese photographic trade, Franco-Portuguese commerce, interwar business networks, wholesale distribution

Archival Significance: This 1928 envelope documents commercial correspondence between Manuel Contente Pinto, a Portuguese business in Coimbra (specializing in optics, electricity, and related trades), and Photo Presto, a Paris-based wholesaler of photography, cinema, and phonograph equipment. The envelope illustrates the international trade networks that connected Portuguese retailers with French suppliers in the interwar period. Photo Presto's location on Rue Vivienne in Paris placed it in a historic commercial district known for photographic and optical trades. This item is a primary source for understanding the distribution channels for photographic and cinematic equipment in Europe, the commercial relationships between Portuguese and French businesses, and the infrastructure that supported the growth of photography and cinema in 1920s Portugal.

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.

Date of use : c. 1930s Venezuela

1930s Venezuela to Germany: Ernesto Aue & Zeiss Ikon Contax Envelope

Ernesto Aue & Cia. was a company operating in Caracas, Venezuela, during the 1930s. The firm specialized in importing photographic equipment and supplies. The recipient of the envelope is Ferdinand Ashelm Aktiengesellschaft (Ferd. Ashelm AG), a company particularly known for its expertise in technical drawing equipment and architectural plans. In the lower right corner of the envelope, the logo of Zeiss Ikon and an illustration of a Contax camera are displayed.

Zeiss Ikon, established in Germany in 1926, was a manufacturer of cameras, film projectors, and photographic equipment. Contax, a brand introduced by Zeiss Ikon in the 1930s, represented high-quality 35mm rangefinder cameras.

Notably, the Contax II, introduced in 1936, and the Contax III, launched in 1937, were groundbreaking models of their time. The Contax II featured an integrated rangefinder, while the Contax III included an additional light meter on its top. These models stood out for their robust construction and superior optics, making them pioneers in the world of photography.

Record Information

Title: 1930s Venezuela to Germany: Ernesto Aue & Zeiss Ikon Contax Envelope

Category: Photographic Trade History / Optical Industry

Subcategory: International Distribution / Camera Marketing

Country: Venezuela (Origin) / Germany (Destination)

City: Caracas → Berlin

Date of use: c. 1930s (based on Contax model history and envelope design)

Sender: Ernesto Aue & Cia., Caracas, Venezuela (photographic equipment importer)

Recipient: Ferdinand Ashelm Aktiengesellschaft (Ferd. Ashelm AG), Germany (specializing in technical drawing equipment and architectural plans)

Manufacturer: Zeiss Ikon (established Germany 1926, manufacturer of cameras, projectors, and photographic equipment)

Camera Model: Contax series (introduced 1930s) – Contax II (1936) with integrated rangefinder, Contax III (1937) with built-in light meter

Object Type: Commercial postal cover / business correspondence / advertising envelope

Design Elements: Zeiss Ikon logo, Contax camera illustration (promotional feature)

Language: Spanish / German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Latin American photographic trade, Zeiss Ikon distribution, Contax camera history, German-Venezuelan commerce

Archival Significance: This 1930s envelope documents the commercial relationship between Ernesto Aue & Cia., a Venezuelan photographic equipment importer, and Ferdinand Ashelm AG, a German company specializing in technical drawing equipment. The prominent Zeiss Ikon logo and Contax camera illustration on the envelope serve as both branding and advertisement, promoting Zeiss Ikon's revolutionary Contax series—including the Contax II (1936) with integrated rangefinder and Contax III (1937) with built-in light meter. These cameras represented cutting-edge 35mm rangefinder technology. This item is a primary source for understanding the international distribution networks of Zeiss Ikon products in Latin America, the marketing strategies of German optical manufacturers, and the commercial infrastructure that brought high-quality German cameras to South American markets in the 1930s.

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.

Date of use : 1908 Haiti

1908 Haiti to Germany: C.P. Goerz Tenax Camera Inquiry Postcard

A postal stationery card sent on December 22, 1908, from Jacmel, Haiti, to the Optische Anstalt "C.P. Goerz" company in Germany. C.P. Goerz was established in 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz in Berlin, Germany. Initially, the company produced optical tools and equipment for teaching mathematics. Later, it shifted its focus to photography equipment, producing high-quality cameras, lenses, binoculars, and telescopes. Among its notable products were portable cameras such as "Tenax" and "Ango," which were favored by both professional and amateur photographers of the era.

In 1892, the company introduced the Dagor brand of high-quality lenses, which gained significant attention. These lenses became highly popular among photographers and further enhanced the company's reputation. Additionally, the binoculars and telescopes manufactured by C.P. Goerz were widely used, particularly in military and scientific applications.

In 1926, C.P. Goerz merged with other major optical companies, including Carl Zeiss, Contessa-Nettel, and Ernemann, to form a new company called Zeiss Ikon. This merger created one of the largest photographic equipment manufacturers of the time. Today, C.P. Goerz no longer operates as an independent company, but its legacy lives on in the products developed by companies like Zeiss Ikon and Carl Zeiss.

On the back of the card, the following note is written in German: "Senden Sie mir bitte Ihre Kataloge, besonders Preis der Kamera 'Tenax.'" This translates to English as: "Please send me your catalogs, especially the price of the 'Tenax' camera." The sender of the card is B. Preetzmann-Aggerholm. While detailed information about this company is scarce, it appears to have been a significant import and export business operating in Haiti during that time.

Record Information

Title: 1908 Haiti to Germany: C.P. Goerz Tenax Camera Inquiry Postcard

Category: Photographic Industry History / Optical Trade

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Camera Equipment Inquiry

Country: Haiti (Origin) / Germany (Destination)

City: Jacmel → Berlin

Date of use: December 22, 1908

Company: C.P. Goerz (Optische Anstalt), founded 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz in Berlin; merged 1926 to form Zeiss Ikon

Products: Cameras (Tenax, Ango), Lenses (Dagor), binoculars, telescopes

Key Subject: Request for catalog and price of Tenax camera

Sender: B. Preetzmann-Aggerholm (import/export business in Jacmel, Haiti)

Recipient: Optische Anstalt "C.P. Goerz", Berlin-Friedenau, Germany

Object Type: Postal stationery card

Postal Features: Haitian postal stationery, manuscript message, Jacmel postmark, Berlin arrival markings

Language: German (message) / French (postal markings)

Material: Paper postal card

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: C.P. Goerz history, Caribbean-German trade, pre-WWI optical industry, Tenax camera, Dagor lenses

Archival Significance: This 1908 postal card from Jacmel, Haiti to C.P. Goerz in Berlin documents early international trade in photographic equipment. The handwritten request in German for a Tenax camera catalog and price list demonstrates the global reach of German optical manufacturers before World War I. C.P. Goerz, founded in 1886, was a leading innovator with products like the Dagor lens (1892) and portable Tenax cameras. This item provides primary evidence of how photographic technology was marketed and distributed across continents, and reflects the commercial networks connecting the Caribbean to European industrial centers. The card's survival offers insight into pre-war business correspondence practices and the material culture of early 20th-century photography.

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.

Date of use : 1923 Germany

Envelope from Germany to Thames Photographic Co. with Photochemie logo

A letter sent from Germany to a British company named The Thames Photographic Co. Unfortunately, no definitive information is available about this company. However, it is believed that it might have been among the photographic material manufacturers or suppliers in England. On the back of the envelope, the logo "Photochemie Berlin N113" can be seen.

Photochemie was a publisher with its own photographic printing plant, and it mainly produced postcards using gravure printing. Starting from 1907, the company used its triangular logo on postcards featuring various models such as children, women, and couples. Between 1914 and 1919, the company also produced an extensive series of German film stars. However, in these series, the company name was used instead of the triangular logo.

Record Information

Title: Envelope from Germany to Thames Photographic Co. with Photochemie logo

Category: Photographic Industry History / Ephemera

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Publishing & Printing

Country: Germany (Origin) / United Kingdom (Destination)

City: Berlin → Richmond, Surrey

Date of use: 1923 (inferred from context)

Company (Sender): Photochemie, Berlin N113 (publisher with photographic printing plant, active from at least 1907)

Company (Recipient): The Thames Photographic Co., Kew Foot Road, Richmond, Surrey (believed to be a photographic manufacturer or supplier in England)

Products/Specialty: Postcards (gravure printing), series featuring children, women, couples; German film stars series (1914-1919)

Distinctive Mark: Triangular logo of Photochemie Berlin on the back of the envelope

Object Type: Commercial envelope (letter)

Postal Features: German postal markings, British arrival markings (presumed)

Language: German / English

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Photochemie publishing history, Anglo-German trade in photographic materials, postcard production, commercial ephemera of the 1920s

Archival Significance: This 1920s envelope from Photochemie Berlin to The Thames Photographic Co. in England illustrates the cross-channel commercial connections in the photographic industry during the interwar period. Photochemie was a significant German publisher with its own gravure printing plant, known for its distinctive triangular logo on postcards from 1907 onward. The company's production of film star series (1914-1919) reflects early celebrity culture and the popularization of cinema. While the recipient company, Thames Photographic Co., remains obscure, this item provides material evidence of Photochemie's business outreach to the UK market. The envelope itself, bearing the company's triangular logo, serves as a primary source for understanding the branding, marketing, and distribution networks of European photographic publishers in the 1920s.

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.

Date of use : 1951 Italy

D. Badodi: 1950s Italian Trade Firm in Photography and Optics

Although detailed information about the company is unavailable, it is presumed to be a local Italian trading firm that operated in the 1950s, specializing in the sale of materials related to photography, optics, and radio. The envelope front reveals the company's full specialization: "Fotografia - Ottica - Radio" and its address at Via Carducci, 2 in Reggio Emilia. It also lists contact details including telephone number 22.05, C.P.E.C. registration number 199, and postal account number 8-7421, indicating an established business. The envelope is addressed to "Sett. Ditta SACENTI" at Via Dal Luzzo 6 in Bologna.

Record Information

Title: D. Badodi: 1950s Italian Trade Firm in Photography and Optics

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Ephemera

Subcategory: Domestic Trade Correspondence / Optical Goods

Country: Italy

City: Reggio Emilia (Origin) → Bologna (Destination)

Date of use: 1951 (inferred from context)

Company (Sender): D. Badodi, Via Carducci, 2, Reggio Emilia. Specialized in Fotografia, Ottica, Radio.

Company (Recipient): Sett. Ditta SACENTI, Via Dal Luzzo 6, Bologna (likely a section or department of the SACENTI firm).

Business Details: Telephone: 22.05, C.P.E.C. Reggio E. N. 199, Postal Account (C/C Postale): N. 8-7421

Object Type: Commercial envelope (business correspondence)

Postal Features: Italian postal markings, presumed domestic rate

Language: Italian

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard business envelope format

Collection Theme: Italian photographic trade, post-war commercial networks, regional business correspondence, optical goods distribution in 1950s Italy.

Archival Significance: This 1951 envelope from D. Badodi in Reggio Emilia to SACENTI in Bologna provides a snapshot of domestic Italian trade in photography and optics during the post-war economic recovery. The detailed sender information—including specialization (photography, optics, radio), telephone, registration numbers, and postal account—illustrates the professional infrastructure of small to medium Italian businesses at the time. While the companies themselves remain obscure, the envelope is primary evidence of the commercial networks that supplied photographic materials within Italy. It reflects the everyday business practices, branding, and communication methods of the Italian photographic trade in the mid-20th century, contributing to the material culture of the industry.

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.

Date of use : 1893 Germany

Deutsche Reichspost Card to P.H. Bau, Christiansfeld, Denmark

A postcard bearing the "Deutsche Reichspost" (German Empire Post) inscription was sent to P.H. Bau, a photographer or photo studio in Christiansfeld, Denmark. Unfortunately, no documentation or information about this individual or studio has been found. Such postcards were typically used for personal or commercial communication. The address on the card reads "Herrn P.H. Bau" in Christiansfeld.

Christiansfeld is a historic town in Denmark, founded in 1773 by the Moravian Church (Herrnhut Brethren). The town is named after King Christian VII of Denmark.

Record Information

Title: Deutsche Reichspost Card to P.H. Bau, Christiansfeld, Denmark

Category: Photographic History / Postal History

Subcategory: Cross-Border Correspondence / Photographer Trade

Country: Germany (Origin) / Denmark (Destination)

City: (Unknown German city) → Christiansfeld

Date of use: 1893

Recipient: P.H. Bau, photographer or photo studio, Christiansfeld, Denmark (no further documentation found)

Object Type: Postal card (Deutsche Reichspost issue)

Postal Features: Printed "Deutsche Reichspost" inscription, manuscript address, German and Danish postal markings (likely)

Language: German

Material: Paper postal card

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: German-Danish photographic trade, 19th century photography networks, Deutsche Reichspost postal history, photographers in Southern Denmark.

Archival Significance: This 1893 Deutsche Reichspost card addressed to P.H. Bau, a photographer in Christiansfeld, Denmark, represents a rare piece of evidence pointing to cross-border photographic networks in the late 19th century. Although no specific information about P.H. Bau has been located, the card's existence confirms that a photographer or photographic business was active in Christiansfeld around this period. Christiansfeld itself, a town with a unique history tied to the Moravian Church, adds a layer of cultural context. This item serves as a primary source for understanding how photographers in smaller European towns were connected to the broader professional community, likely for ordering supplies, sharing techniques, or conducting business correspondence with German counterparts. It highlights the role of postal systems like the Deutsche Reichspost in facilitating international communication within the growing field of professional photography.

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.