Date of use : 1906 Switzerland

Patented Albums Company of Lucerne, 1906 Discovery

A document dated October 19, 1906, in my collection reveals the existence of a little-known company based in Lucerne: Société des Albums Brevetés. This short letter, written in French and addressed to R. Gabler in Interlaken, mentions that the company's representative, Mr. van Westerborg, was away on a trip and that a reply would follow upon his return. These lines indicate that the firm operated in an organized commercial structure and worked through regional representatives within Switzerland.

As the name suggests, "Société des Albums Brevetés" — The Patented Albums Company — was most likely involved in the production of photographic or postcard albums. In the early 20th century, Lucerne was an important center of tourism and the photographic industry. Many small manufacturers promoted their products as breveté (patented), often referring to unique binding systems or page designs. This company appears to have been one of those niche producers serving the growing culture of collecting photographs and postcards.

Searches in the Lucerne Trade Register and the Swiss Patent Archives revealed no surviving records of the firm, suggesting that it was short-lived — probably active between 1900 and 1910. Nevertheless, this small document preserves a meaningful trace of early European photographic industry and the history of album-making in Switzerland.

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.