Date of use : 1917 Ottoman Empire

Postcard to Vereinigte Photographische Industrien

This postcard is a censored commercial correspondence sent from the Ottoman Empire to the Vereinigte Photographische Industrien G.m.b.H. (Th. Langer – C. F. Hrdlička – R. A. Goldmann) located in the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I. It reflects the professional contact between a merchant—likely of Austrian or German origin—living in Istanbul and the photographic industry in Vienna.

In the early 20th century, Vienna was one of Central Europe's most active centers for photographic production and trade. Numerous small and medium-sized factories, trading houses, and camera or lens manufacturers operated in the city. While they often competed with one another, mergers also occurred as companies sought to expand. Vereinigte Photographische Industrien G.m.b.H. emerged as a significant example of such consolidation, bringing together the operations of Langer, F. Hrdlička, and later R. A. Goldmann. The resulting company produced photographic papers and plates and also distributed various photographic devices and accessories.

Formation and Mergers:

Ferdinand Hrdlička: An important figure in Vienna's photographic materials industry during the 1890s and early 1900s. He specialized in the production of photographic paper, celluloid materials, and dry plates, operating his own factory.

Langer & Comp.: Another Vienna-based supplier and manufacturer of photographic goods, especially dry plates. Around 1913, Langer & Comp. merged with Hrdlička's enterprise to form "Vereinigte photographische Industrien Langer & Comp. – F. Hrdlička."

R. A. Goldmann and the Creation of Herlango: Between 1915 and 1917, Rudolf Anton Goldmann—known for manufacturing photographic cameras—joined the group. From the combination of the three partners' names (Hrdlička + Langer + Goldmann), the brand Herlango was created. Herlango went on to become one of Vienna's best-known photographic companies throughout the 20th century.

Translation of the Reverse Side of the Card:

To the firm Vereinigte Photographische Industrien
(Th. Langer & Cie, F. Hrdlička, R. A. Goldmann)

I have learned your business address from the Neues Wiener Journal newspaper.
I kindly request that you send me your latest price lists for photographic materials and plates (glass negatives), free of charge.

Respectfully,
Ulrich M. Rosenzweig
Constantinople – Pera
Büyük Hendek No. 93, Apartment 3

Note: The phrase "Preislisten über photographische Artikeln + Platten" refers to price lists for photographic materials and glass plates.

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