Date of use : c. early 20th century France

Optics Institute Envelope Sent to French Primary School

This envelope was sent by the Institut d'Optique et de Photographie (Institute of Optics and Photography), an institution operating in France. The institute specializes in optical medical devices (optique médicale), eyewear production (lunetterie), binoculars, and other optical accessories (jumelles). This diversity highlights the institute's expertise not only in photography but also in optical devices used in both medical and everyday applications.

The envelope features Gex-Meyrieux & Cie, a company based in Dijon, France, that supplies optical and photographic equipment. The company offers a wide range of products, including those from the internationally renowned Kodak brand. This indicates Kodak's strong presence in the French market and the collaboration between optical retailers and global brands.

The recipient of the envelope is the principal of a primary school in Arc-sur-Tille, a town in the Côte-d'Or region (M. le Directeur de l'École primaire d'Arc-sur-Tille). This suggests that firms in the optical and photography sectors maintained direct communication with educational institutions.

This envelope serves as a valuable historical document reflecting the operations of the optical and photography industry in early 20th-century France. In particular, it highlights the widespread availability of Kodak products in France and the connection between firms in the optical and photographic sectors and educational institutions, making it an important piece of historical evidence.

Record Information

Title: Optics Institute Envelope Sent to French Primary School

Category: Optical Industry History / Educational Correspondence

Subcategory: French Commercial History / Institutional Outreach

Country: France

City: Dijon → Arc-sur-Tille (Côte-d'Or)

Date of use: c. early 20th century (based on design and postal markings)

Sender: Gex-Meyrieux & Cie (supplier of optical and photographic equipment), Dijon, representing Institut d'Optique et de Photographie

Recipient: M. le Directeur de l'École primaire d'Arc-sur-Tille (Primary School Principal)

Object Type: Commercial postal cover / business correspondence

Products: Optical medical devices (optique médicale), eyewear (lunetterie), binoculars (jumelles), Kodak photographic equipment

Language: French

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: French optical industry, educational outreach, Kodak distribution networks, regional commerce

Archival Significance: This early 20th-century envelope documents the operations of the Institut d'Optique et de Photographie and its commercial partner Gex-Meyrieux & Cie in Dijon. The institute's specialization in optical medical devices, eyewear, and binoculars alongside photography reflects the broad scope of optical industries in this period. The prominent inclusion of Kodak products illustrates the global brand's penetration into the French market and its distribution through regional suppliers. The envelope's recipient—a primary school principal in Arc-sur-Tille—provides rare evidence of direct communication between optical/photographic firms and educational institutions, suggesting outreach or educational supply activities. This item is a primary source for understanding the commercial networks of the French optical industry, the integration of photography with broader optical technologies, and the connections between industry and education 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.
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