Date of use : 1904, Bolivia
Photo-Sport Business Stationery 1904 Bolivia
This postcard represents an important example of early twentieth-century commercial correspondence related to the international trade of photographic equipment between Latin America and Europe. The front side of the card bears the printed inscription "República de Bolivia – Tarjeta Postal," indicating that the item was an official postal card issued by the Bolivian postal administration. The imprinted stamp shows a value of two centavos. The design also includes the inscription "Unión Postal Universal," confirming that Bolivia was part of the Universal Postal Union network that regulated international postal exchanges during this period.
The address section identifies the recipient as "Sr. D. Photo Sport" located at 22 Rue Caumartin, Paris (IXe). Rue Caumartin, situated in the ninth arrondissement of Paris, was a central commercial district during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is likely that this address corresponded to a business involved in the trade of photographic equipment, possibly a retailer or distributor of cameras, accessories, or optical instruments.
The handwritten message on the reverse side of the card is written in Spanish and indicates that the sender was requesting a general catalogue of photographic apparatus from the Parisian firm. In the message the sender politely asks that the catalogue be sent by mail so that he may review the available photographic equipment and potentially place orders. The writer identifies himself as Ángel C. Bantránez and provides an address in Santa Cruz de Bolivia (South America). The message is dated May 1904.
The content of the card illustrates how photographic technology had already begun to circulate globally by the early twentieth century. Cameras and photographic equipment developed and manufactured in Europe attracted interest from customers in distant regions such as Latin America. Many photographic manufacturers and retailers expanded their international markets by distributing catalogues through postal correspondence. Requesting catalogues by postcard was a common method of establishing commercial contact during this period.
From a philatelic perspective, the card displays the typical characteristics of early Bolivian postal stationery. The printed stamp, national emblem, and decorative typography reflect the graphic design conventions used in official postal cards of the time. The inclusion of the Universal Postal Union inscription further indicates that the card was intended for international use.
From a collecting standpoint, the postcard may be associated with several thematic categories. It represents an interesting example of international correspondence related to the trade of photographic equipment. It may also be included in collections devoted to Latin American postal history, early Universal Postal Union postal stationery, and the global diffusion of photographic technology.
📜✍️
REVERSE SIDE - HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE (TRANSCRIPTION & TRANSLATION)
Spanish → English
📝 Original Spanish text (handwritten):
"Santa Cruz, Mayo 1904
Sr. D. Photo Sport
Paris
Muy señor mío: Tenga la bondad de enviarme un catálogo general de aparatos fotográficos, con sus respectivos precios, para poder pedir los que me convengan.
Quedo de Usted atento seguro servidor,
Ángel C. Bantránez"
Sr. D. Photo Sport
Paris
Muy señor mío: Tenga la bondad de enviarme un catálogo general de aparatos fotográficos, con sus respectivos precios, para poder pedir los que me convengan.
Quedo de Usted atento seguro servidor,
Ángel C. Bantránez"
📖 English translation:
"Santa Cruz, May 1904
Mr. D. Photo Sport
Paris
Dear Sir: Please be so kind as to send me a general catalogue of photographic apparatus, with their respective prices, so that I may order those that suit me.
Your attentive and faithful servant,
Ángel C. Bantránez"
📷 Context: This 1904 postcard documents a Bolivian customer's request for a photographic equipment catalogue from a Parisian dealer, illustrating the global reach of European photographic supply networks at the turn of the twentieth century.
Record Information
Title: Photo-Sport Business Stationery 1904 Bolivia
Category: Photographic Industry History / International Trade
Subcategory: International Correspondence / Maritime Mail
Country: Bolivia (Origin) → France (Destination)
🗺️ Show Route
City: Santa Cruz de Bolivia → Paris
Date of use: May 1904
Sender: Ángel C. Bantránez, Santa Cruz de Bolivia
Company (Recipient): Photo Sport, 22 Rue Caumartin, Paris (IXe). A Parisian photographic equipment retailer or distributor serving international clientele.
Object Type: International postal card (official Bolivian postal stationery)
Postal Route 🚢 (Estimated Route): Santa Cruz de Bolivia → Paris, France (May 1904)
Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 3-4 weeks (maritime route via Atlantic Ocean)
Postal Features: Imprinted 2-centavo Bolivian stamp; "Unión Postal Universal" inscription; international postal rate; Bolivian postal cancellation (May 1904).
Language: Spanish
Material: Postal card paper
Dimensions: Standard postal card format
Collection Theme: Photo Sport, Rue Caumartin, Parisian photographic trade, Bolivian postal stationery, Santa Cruz de Bolivia, Universal Postal Union, Latin American photographic market, catalogue requests, early photographic equipment trade, 1904 commercial correspondence.
Archival Significance: This 1904 postal card documents an early example of international catalogue request correspondence between a Bolivian customer and a Parisian photographic equipment dealer, illustrating the global reach of European photographic supply networks at the turn of the twentieth century.
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.
For academic reference, please refer to How to Cite This Archive.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
For academic reference, please refer to How to Cite This Archive.