Date of use : 19 February 1952, United States

Copy-Art Photographers Postcard, New York

This postcard represents a piece of commercial correspondence sent by a photographic studio known as Copy Art Photographers, located in New York City. The printed letterhead in the upper left corner reads "Copy Art Photographers, 165 West 46th Street, New York City." This inscription identifies the sender as a professional photographic service business operating in Manhattan. West 46th Street is situated in the Midtown district of Manhattan, an area that during the mid-twentieth century was known for hosting numerous commercial photography studios, graphic arts workshops, and advertising agencies. The location therefore suggests that the business was involved in commercial photographic production and visual reproduction services.

The term "Copy Art" was commonly used within the photographic industry to describe technical photographic services devoted to the reproduction of documents, artworks, and graphic materials. During the mid-twentieth century such studios frequently provided services for publishing companies, advertising agencies, museums, and archival institutions. These services included the photographic reproduction of artworks, the photographing of technical drawings, and the preparation of visual materials intended for printing processes. Studios of this type played an important role within the broader graphic arts and publishing industries that were particularly strong in New York City during this period.

The postcard is addressed to Kirk B. Shivell, Inc., a business located in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Ridgewood lies within the greater New York metropolitan region and has historically hosted numerous professional and commercial enterprises. Although detailed information about the specific activities of Kirk B. Shivell, Inc. remains limited, the use of a corporate name suggests that the recipient was a commercial client rather than an individual. Businesses such as this frequently relied on photographic studios for advertising materials, printed graphics, and corporate visual documentation.

The postal cancellation on the card indicates that it was processed in New York on February 19, 1952. This date places the item within a period of rapid expansion in commercial photography in the United States following the Second World War. During the post-war decades the growth of advertising, publishing, and mass media industries created increasing demand for photographic services. Improvements in film technology, printing methods, and offset reproduction processes further contributed to the industrialization of visual production. In this context, studios specializing in photographic reproduction services became essential intermediaries between creative production and printed media.

Another notable element visible on the postcard is the slogan cancellation reading "Build Your Future Wisely – Save U.S. Savings Bonds." Such slogans were widely used by the United States postal system to promote government savings bond programs, particularly during and after the Second World War. These postal slogans formed part of broader public campaigns encouraging citizens to support national economic initiatives through the purchase of government bonds. The postcard also bears a one-cent United States postage stamp depicting George Washington, a design commonly used in mid-twentieth-century domestic mail.

From a philatelic perspective, the postcard combines several historically significant features. It represents commercial stationery associated with a professional photographic studio, illustrating the everyday communication practices of businesses operating in the photographic industry. At the same time, the presence of a savings bond promotional slogan connects the document with broader governmental messaging campaigns transmitted through the postal system. The item also reflects the dense commercial networks that linked businesses across the New York metropolitan region.

From a collecting standpoint, this document can be associated with several thematic categories. It belongs to the field of commercial photographic studio correspondence and provides evidence of the business practices of mid-twentieth-century photography services. Additionally, it represents an example of United States postal history from the post-war period, including the use of promotional cancellation slogans. As an archival artifact, it also illustrates the role of photography within the wider economic and communication networks of the publishing and advertising industries.

Record Information

Title: Copy-Art Photographers Postcard, New York

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Services

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Photographic Reproduction / Post-War America

Country: USA (Sender) → (Recipient)

City: New York (Sender) → Ridgewood (Recipient)

Date of use: 19 February 1952

Company (Sender): Copy Art Photographers, 165 West 46th Street, New York City. A commercial photographic studio specializing in reproduction services for publishing companies, advertising agencies, museums, and archival institutions.

Company (Recipient): Kirk B. Shivell, Inc., Ridgewood, New Jersey. A commercial client in the New York metropolitan region.

Object Type: Commercial postcard with printed letterhead

Postal Features: One-cent United States George Washington stamp; New York postal cancellation (19 February 1952); slogan cancellation: "Build Your Future Wisely – Save U.S. Savings Bonds."

Language: English

Material: Paper postcard

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Notable Feature: Slogan cancellation promoting U.S. Savings Bonds, reflecting post-war governmental messaging through the postal system.

Collection Theme: Copy Art Photographers, New York photographic trade, commercial photography, photographic reproduction, Kirk B. Shivell Inc., Ridgewood New Jersey, advertising photography, U.S. Savings Bonds, slogan cancellation, post-war America, publishing industry.

Archival Significance: This 1952 postcard documents a commercial photographic studio's correspondence in post-war New York, illustrating the role of specialized photography services within the publishing and advertising industries.

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.

USA – Colombia Photo Supply Co. to Burleigh Brooks

Date of use : August 1937, USA

USA – Columbia Photo Supply Co. to Burleigh Brooks

This envelope represents a piece of commercial correspondence reflecting the photographic trade networks that developed in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. The printed letterhead identifies the sender as Columbia Photo Supply Co., Inc., with an address at 1424 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. The heading also states that the company had been operating since 1900, emphasizing the firm's long-standing presence in the photographic supply business.

The Columbia Photo Supply Company was among the businesses that distributed photographic materials, camera equipment, and darkroom supplies in the United States during the early twentieth century. Companies of this type played an important role in supplying both professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts at a time when photographic technology was expanding rapidly. Located in major cities such as Washington, these suppliers functioned as regional distribution centers supporting the growth of photographic markets.

The envelope is addressed to Burleigh Brooks in New York City, with a business address on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. The name Burleigh Brooks is associated with photographic equipment distribution networks active in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. It is therefore likely that this correspondence relates to commercial matters concerning photographic equipment or distribution activities within the industry.

The postage stamp affixed to the envelope is a three-cent issue from a United States definitive series depicting the portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Stamps of this type were widely used in the American postal system during the 1930s. The cancellation mark indicates Washington, D.C., and the date appears to read August 1937, confirming that the item entered the postal system in the American capital.

At the top of the envelope appears the printed phrase "Return in three days." Such markings were commonly used in commercial correspondence as a reminder that enclosed documents were expected to be returned promptly. This practice was often associated with business contracts, quotations, or order forms circulating between companies.

From a collecting perspective, this envelope can be classified within several thematic categories. It represents a commercial document related to the photographic supply trade and therefore holds relevance for collections focusing on the history of photography and photographic commerce. It also constitutes an example of domestic commercial mail in the United States during the 1930s. Furthermore, as a postal item sent from Washington to New York, it illustrates how commercial networks within the United States relied on the postal system for routine business communication.

In conclusion, this envelope should be viewed not merely as a postal artifact but as a small historical document reflecting the functioning of photographic trade networks in the United States during the early twentieth century. The communication between a photographic supply company in Washington and a commercial contact in New York highlights the role played by distribution networks in the expansion of photographic technology. For this reason, the document carries significance both for postal history and for the economic history of the photographic industry.

Record Information

Title: USA – Columbia Photo Supply Co. to Burleigh Brooks

Category: Photographic Industry History / Wholesale Trade

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Distribution Networks

Country: USA (Domestic Mail) 🗺️ Show Route

City: Washington, D.C. (Sender) → New York City (Recipient)

Date of use: August 1937

Company (Sender): Columbia Photo Supply Co., Inc., 1424 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. (established 1900)

Company (Recipient): Burleigh Brooks, 127 West 42nd Street, New York City

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope

Postal Route 🚂: Washington, D.C. → New York City, USA (August 1937)

Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 1 day (by rail via Baltimore, Philadelphia)

Postal Features: 3-cent George Washington definitive stamp; Washington, D.C. cancellation (August 1937); "Return in three days" instruction printed at top.

Language: English

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Columbia Photo Supply, Washington D.C. commerce, Burleigh Brooks, New York photographic trade, 1930s distribution, George Washington stamp, domestic business mail, wholesale networks, photographic supplies.

Archival Significance: This 1937 envelope documents the commercial link between a Washington, D.C. photographic supply house and a major New York distributor, illustrating the regional wholesale networks supporting the American photographic industry in the 1930s.

🚂 Postal Route: Washington, D.C. → New York City (August 1937)

📍 Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 → 🚂 Baltimore → 🚂 Philadelphia → 🚂 Newark → 📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸

📮 Columbia Photo Supply Co. (Washington, D.C.) → 🚂 US Railway Mail → 📬 Burleigh Brooks (New York City)
Photographic supply wholesale | 3-cent George Washington stamp | "Return in three days" | Estimated travel time: 1 day (August 1937)

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) – https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright

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.

Date of use : circa 1893, USA

USA – WM. Gray Photographic Studio Postcard

This document is a postal card that illustrates the exchange of commercial information within the photographic equipment trade during the late nineteenth century. The front of the card bears the printed heading “United States Postal Card – One Cent”, accompanied by the portrait of Abraham Lincoln, a design commonly used on official American postal cards of that period. Such cards were widely used as an inexpensive means of communication in the United States during the final decades of the nineteenth century.

The reverse side identifies the recipient as Wm. Gray, Photographer, 395 Fulton Street, Opposite City Hall, Brooklyn, New York. This information indicates that William Gray operated a photographic studio in Brooklyn. Fulton Street was one of the most active commercial streets in Brooklyn during the late nineteenth century and hosted numerous retail businesses, professional offices, and photographic studios. The location of the studio therefore suggests that Gray worked within a vibrant commercial district that offered access to a large urban clientele.

The date written on the card reads 30 February 1893. Since February does not contain thirty days, this date likely reflects a writing error. It may have been intended to represent February 28 or March 3, 1893, although this interpretation cannot be confirmed with certainty and should therefore be regarded as a plausible assumption rather than a verified fact.

In the handwritten message, Gray asks the recipient whether the company manufactures new cameras and requests that a catalogue and promotional materials be sent to him. This brief message provides insight into the methods through which photographic professionals obtained information about new equipment during the nineteenth century. Photographers frequently relied on printed catalogues distributed by manufacturers and suppliers to learn about the latest camera models, lenses, and accessories available on the market.

The card is addressed to Moore P. Wing & Co., 100 Cambridge Street, Charlestown, Massachusetts. This company appears to have been engaged in the manufacture or distribution of photographic equipment. Charlestown, located within the Boston metropolitan area, functioned as an important commercial and industrial center during the nineteenth century, hosting a variety of technical and mechanical manufacturing enterprises.

The final decades of the nineteenth century were characterized by rapid technological development in photography. Innovations such as dry photographic plates, improved optical lenses, and more portable camera designs contributed to the expansion of both professional and amateur photographic practices. In the United States numerous small manufacturers and distributors emerged during this period to supply photographic equipment to an expanding market.

From a philatelic perspective the card also reflects the postal practices of the era. The United States Post Office produced official one-cent postal cards intended for short written communications. Because of their low cost and convenience, such cards were widely used for commercial inquiries, business notices, and brief personal messages. The cancellation mark on the card indicates the location and date of mailing, providing valuable historical context for the document.

From a collecting perspective, this postcard may be associated with several thematic categories. It is particularly relevant for collections focusing on the history of photographic equipment trade, photographic studio correspondence, and early marketing networks within the photographic industry. Additionally, it holds significance for collectors interested in United States postal cards, nineteenth-century commercial communication, and the distribution of photographic catalogues and technical equipment.

In conclusion, this postcard represents an important historical document illustrating the commercial interactions that supported the development of photography during the late nineteenth century. The request made by a photographer for information about newly manufactured cameras demonstrates the continuous technological evolution of photographic practice. Documents of this kind provide valuable insight not only into the artistic history of photography but also into the commercial networks that facilitated the dissemination of photographic technology.

Record Information

Title: USA – WM. Gray Photographic Studio Postcard

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Networks

Subcategory: Equipment Trade / Studio Correspondence

Country: USA

City: Brooklyn, New York (Sender) / Charlestown, Massachusetts (Recipient)

Date of use: circa 1893 (written as 30 Feb 1893, likely a scribal error for 28 Feb or 3 Mar)

Photographer (Sender): Wm. Gray (William Gray), Photographer, 395 Fulton Street, Opposite City Hall, Brooklyn, New York. A professional portrait studio operator in a busy commercial district.

Company (Recipient): Moore P. Wing & Co., 100 Cambridge Street, Charlestown, Massachusetts. Likely a manufacturer or distributor of photographic equipment, including cameras.

Object Type: U.S. one-cent postal card (official postal stationery with Abraham Lincoln portrait)

Postal Features: Pre-printed 1-cent U.S. postal card with Lincoln portrait; handwritten message requesting camera catalogue.

Content: Inquiry about new camera manufacture and request for catalogue and promotional materials.

Language: English

Material: Card stock

Dimensions: Standard postal card format

Collection Theme: Wm. Gray, Brooklyn photography, Fulton Street, Moore P. Wing & Co., Charlestown, 19th-century camera trade, Lincoln postal card, commercial inquiry, equipment catalogues, photographic supply networks.

Archival Significance: This circa 1893 postal card documents a Brooklyn photographer's direct inquiry to a camera supplier, illustrating the commercial information networks that supported professional photography in the late 19th 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.