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.

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