Date of use : 1923 Belgium

1923 Art Bookstore Postcard to Berlin's Historic Photo Publisher

This postcard was sent on June 28, 1923, by Librairie d'Art G. Zazzarini & Cie, a company based in Antwerp, Belgium. The postmark on the card indicates that the company operated as an art bookstore. The recipient was Photographische Gesellschaft Kunstverlag, a renowned photography and art publishing house in Germany. Photographische Gesellschaft was founded in 1862 in Berlin by brothers Albert and Friedrich Werckmeister. Initially, the company focused on publishing photographic reproductions of classical copper engravings but later shifted towards direct reproductions of oil paintings.

In this capacity, it published masterpieces from major galleries as well as works by many modern artists in various formats. Specializing in the photographic reproduction of artworks, the company expanded internationally, establishing branches in Paris, London, and New York.

The company's headquarters was originally located in Dönhoffplatz in Berlin, while its workshops were in the Westend district. From 1914 onwards, the main office was also relocated to Westend. In 1927, Photographische Gesellschaft was acquired by Franz Hanfstaengl Kunstverlag and continued to operate officially until the mid-1950s. Among its notable publications is the Bilderkatalog der Photographischen Gesellschaft: Kunstverlag begründet 1862, published in 1903.

The company played a significant role in the photographic reproduction of artworks and urban photography, particularly documenting Berlin's architectural structures and newly built train stations. On the back of the postcard, the sender mentioned their intention to send their Corpus Imaginum catalog to the recipient and requested certain Farbige Faksimile-Druck (Verlag Frisch) works to be sent to them by mail. The listed numbers are as follows: 20150 - 20146 - 20129 - 20138 (2 copies) - 20071 - 20132 - 20178 (3 copies) - 20040 (2 copies) - 20164 - 20163 - 20102 - 20041 (2 copies) - 20092 - 20087 - 20094 - 20049 - 20048 - 20050 - 20051. Additionally, some numbers include annotations such as (2 ex.) and (3 ex.), indicating that two or three copies of those works were requested.

Record Information

Title: 1923 Art Bookstore Postcard to Berlin's Historic Photo Publisher

Category: Art Publishing History / Commercial Correspondence

Subcategory: Photographic Reproduction / International Art Trade

Country: Belgium (Origin) / Germany (Destination)

City: Antwerp → Berlin

Date of use: 28 June 1923

Sender: Librairie d'Art G. Zazzarini & Cie, Antwerp, Belgium (art bookstore)

Recipient: Photographische Gesellschaft Kunstverlag, Berlin, Germany

Publisher: Photographische Gesellschaft (founded 1862 by Albert and Friedrich Werckmeister, Berlin; branches in Paris, London, New York; acquired by Franz Hanfstaengl Kunstverlag 1927; operated until mid-1950s)

Specialization: Photographic reproductions of classical copper engravings and oil paintings; urban photography (Berlin architecture, train stations)

Notable Publication: Bilderkatalog der Photographischen Gesellschaft: Kunstverlag begründet 1862 (1903)

Object Type: Commercial postcard / art trade correspondence

Requested Items: Farbige Faksimile-Druck (Verlag Frisch) – catalog numbers: 20150, 20146, 20129, 20138 (2 copies), 20071, 20132, 20178 (3 copies), 20040 (2 copies), 20164, 20163, 20102, 20041 (2 copies), 20092, 20087, 20094, 20049, 20048, 20050, 20051

Language: German

Material: Printed card stock with handwritten message

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: European art publishing, photographic reproduction history, international art trade, 1920s commercial networks

Archival Significance: This 1923 postcard documents the commercial relationship between a Belgian art bookstore (Librairie d'Art G. Zazzarini & Cie) and Photographische Gesellschaft, a pioneering German publisher of photographic art reproductions. Founded in 1862 by Albert and Friedrich Werckmeister, Photographische Gesellschaft specialized in reproducing classical copper engravings and oil paintings, later expanding to urban photography documenting Berlin's architecture. The company's international branches in Paris, London, and New York attest to its global reach. The detailed order for Farbige Faksimile-Druck works (with specific catalog numbers and quantities) provides rare insight into the art trade's operational practices. This item is a primary source for understanding the role of photographic reproduction in the dissemination of art, the commercial networks connecting European art dealers, and the business practices of a major German art publisher before its acquisition by Franz Hanfstaengl in 1927.

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.
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