Date of use : c.1924, Switzerland

Perrot & Cie Photographic Dealer Stationery, Switzerland

This cover originates from Perrot & Cie, a commercial firm located in the Swiss city of Biel, and represents a revealing artifact of the international trade networks that supported the photographic industry in early twentieth-century Europe. The printed letterhead at the top of the envelope reads "Perrot & Cie – Biel (Schweiz)" and is followed by the German phrase "Photographische Bedarfsartikel en gros," which indicates that the company specialized in the wholesale distribution of photographic supplies. Additional information printed on the envelope includes the telegraphic address "PERROTCO" and the notation "Telefon Nr. 22." These details demonstrate that the business relied on modern communication systems such as telegraph and telephone, which were essential tools for companies engaged in long-distance commercial transactions. During this period, firms involved in the supply of photographic materials frequently displayed such contact information prominently on their stationery in order to facilitate rapid business communication.

Archival information concerning the internal history of Perrot & Cie remains limited, and the exact date of the firm's establishment as well as the biographies of its founders cannot be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the industrial context of Biel provides insight into the probable nature of the company's activities. From the late nineteenth century onward, Biel developed into an important Swiss center of manufacturing and commerce, particularly associated with the watchmaking industry and other forms of precision craftsmanship. Industries connected to optics, mechanics, and chemical production often intersected with the growing photographic sector. Within this environment, a company such as Perrot & Cie likely operated as a distributor of photographic plates, chemicals, printing papers, and other technical accessories required by photographers and photographic studios. Its commercial reach probably extended beyond Switzerland to customers in neighboring countries.

The envelope is addressed to Alois Krauss in Schwabmünchen, a town in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Although the occupation of the recipient is not specified on the cover, the nature of the sender's business suggests that Krauss may have been a photographer, a dealer in photographic equipment, or a retailer connected with the optical trade. In smaller European towns, professional photographers commonly relied on specialized wholesalers located in industrial centers or neighboring countries for their supplies. Correspondence between a Swiss supplier and a Bavarian client therefore reflects the routine operation of cross-border commercial relationships within the photographic supply chain.

The postage stamp affixed to the envelope belongs to an issue of the Swiss Confederation, and the postal cancellation indicates that the item was processed through a Swiss postal office, most likely in or near Biel. The typographic characteristics of both the stamp and the cancellation suggest that the cover probably dates from the first half of the twentieth century, although the exact year cannot be determined due to the partially legible postmark. During this period the Swiss postal system was widely recognized for its efficiency and reliability, and international commercial correspondence frequently relied on standard letter services for cross-border communication. Since the cover does not bear markings associated with registered or airmail services, it appears to have been transmitted through the ordinary international postal system.

The historical context in which this envelope was produced coincides with a period of significant expansion in photographic technology and practice. From the late nineteenth century onward, photography experienced rapid growth across Europe, both as a professional craft and as an increasingly popular amateur activity. This expansion created a substantial market for photographic equipment and materials, linking manufacturers, wholesalers, and photographic studios within a complex distribution network. Countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and France were closely connected through these commercial exchanges. Wholesale suppliers played a key role in this system by distributing specialized materials to local photographers and retailers across national boundaries.

From a collecting perspective, the envelope can be placed within several thematic categories. It represents an example of photographic trade ephemera, documenting the commercial infrastructure that supported photographic practice. At the same time it constitutes a piece of Swiss postal history illustrating routine international business correspondence. The typographic design of the letterhead reflects the restrained but functional style characteristic of early twentieth-century commercial stationery. Consequently, the cover holds value not only for philatelists but also for historians interested in the development of photographic commerce and industrial communication networks.

Record Information

Title: Perrot & Cie Photographic Dealer Stationery, Switzerland

Category: Photographic Industry History / Wholesale Trade

Subcategory: International Commerce / Swiss-German Trade

Country: Switzerland (Sender) → Germany (Recipient)

City: Biel (Sender) → Schwabmünchen (Recipient)

Date of use: c.1924

Company (Sender): Perrot & Cie, Biel, Switzerland. A Swiss wholesale distributor of photographic supplies, specializing in photographic plates, chemicals, printing papers, and technical accessories, serving photographers and retailers across Europe.

Recipient: Alois Krauss, Schwabmünchen, Bavaria, Germany. Likely a photographer, photographic equipment dealer, or optical trade retailer.

Object Type: International commercial envelope with printed letterhead

Postal Features: Swiss Confederation postage stamp; Biel postal cancellation.

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Notable Feature: "Photographische Bedarfsartikel en gros" (wholesale photographic supplies) designation; telegraphic address "PERROTCO"; telephone number "Telefon Nr. 22"; cross-border commercial correspondence between Switzerland and Germany.

Collection Theme: Perrot & Cie, Biel, Swiss photographic trade, wholesale distribution, Alois Krauss, Schwabmünchen, Bavarian photography, German-Swiss commerce, international trade, 1920s photography.

Archival Significance: This 1920s envelope documents the cross-border wholesale trade of photographic supplies between Switzerland and Germany, illustrating the international distribution networks that supported the European photographic industry.

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 : c.1924, Germany

Atlantic Photo Co. Business Stationery, Germany

This cover originates from Atlantik Photo Co., a photographic agency based in Berlin, and represents a small but significant artifact of the visual media networks that emerged in Europe during the first half of the twentieth century. The prominent typographic heading printed across the upper portion of the envelope reads "Atlantik Photo Co." and is accompanied by the company address Berlin S.W. 11, Königgrätzer Straße 62. The letterhead also includes the notation "Direktion H. Sanden," indicating that the agency was managed by an individual identified as H. Sanden. Another notable element printed on the envelope is the statement "Archiv von 200,000 Photos," suggesting that the firm maintained a substantial photographic archive and likely operated as a supplier of images to newspapers, publishers, and advertising agencies.

Photographic agencies such as Atlantik Photo Co. played a crucial role in the rapidly expanding visual press culture of the 1920s and 1930s. During this period illustrated newspapers and magazines increasingly relied on photographic imagery to document political events, social developments, and international news. Berlin, particularly during the years of the Weimar Republic, functioned as one of Europe's most dynamic centers of publishing and media production. Numerous press agencies and photographic archives operated within the city, collecting images from photographers and distributing them to editorial offices across Germany and abroad. The claim of a "200,000 photograph archive" printed on the envelope likely served both as a factual description of the company's holdings and as a marketing statement emphasizing the scale of its visual resources.

The envelope also bears the notation "Tel-Adresse: Atlaphot," which refers to a telegraphic address. During the early twentieth century such abbreviated telegraph identifiers were widely used in international commercial communication. For photographic agencies, the telegraph system provided a rapid means of coordinating with newspapers, publishers, and foreign partners. Through these channels agencies could negotiate image licensing, confirm photo deliveries, or arrange coverage of current events. The printed telephone number "Tel. Lützow 2700" further demonstrates that the firm was integrated into Berlin's modern telecommunications network, reflecting the increasing importance of rapid communication in the photographic news trade.

The postage stamps affixed to the envelope belong to issues used during the German Reich postal period, and the cancellation marks indicate that the item was mailed from Berlin. Several stamps are used in combination, which was common practice in commercial correspondence when specific postal rates required multiple denominations. Although the cancellation date is not entirely legible, the typographic style and stamp design suggest that the envelope likely dates from the late 1920s or early 1930s. These features situate the document firmly within the operational framework of the Reichspost system that governed Germany's postal services during that era.

The recipient's address does not appear directly on the envelope's exterior. Instead, the cover includes a large red window panel through which the address would have been visible from the enclosed letter. Window envelopes became increasingly common in business correspondence during the early twentieth century, particularly among firms that handled large volumes of mail. By printing the recipient's address on the letterhead itself and displaying it through the window, companies could streamline administrative processes and reduce manual addressing. The use of such an envelope by Atlantik Photo Co. therefore suggests a business engaged in frequent and organized commercial communication.

The broader historical context of this document coincides with a period when photography became central to journalism and mass media. Improvements in photographic reproduction techniques allowed newspapers and illustrated magazines to incorporate images more regularly into their publications. As a result, photographic agencies developed extensive distribution networks linking photographers, publishers, and news organizations across national boundaries. Berlin-based agencies were particularly active participants in these networks, often serving clients throughout Europe and beyond. Atlantik Photo Co. was likely part of this expanding international infrastructure, supplying visual material to editorial markets that demanded a constant flow of images.

From a collecting perspective, the envelope can be classified within several intersecting themes. It constitutes an example of German postal history from the interwar period, reflecting routine commercial mail usage. At the same time it represents a notable item within collections devoted to press photography and photographic agencies, as the printed letterhead provides direct evidence of a historical image distribution enterprise. The strong graphic design of the envelope also illustrates aspects of early twentieth-century commercial typography and corporate identity. Consequently, the document holds significance not only for postal historians but also for researchers interested in the history of visual media and communication.

In conclusion, this Atlantik Photo Co. envelope offers a revealing glimpse into the infrastructure of photographic communication that developed in early twentieth-century Berlin. The printed references to telegraphic communication, telephone contact, and a large photographic archive indicate a professional organization operating within a network of media distribution. Rather than being merely a piece of postal stationery, the document reflects the mechanisms through which photographs circulated between photographers, agencies, and publishers during a formative period in the history of modern visual journalism.

Record Information

Title: Atlantic Photo Co. Business Stationery, Germany

Category: Photographic Industry History / Press Photography

Subcategory: Photographic Agencies / Visual Media Networks

Country: Germany

City: Berlin

Date of use: c.1924

Company (Sender): Atlantik Photo Co., Direktion H. Sanden, Berlin S.W. 11, Königgrätzer Straße 62, Germany. A Berlin-based photographic agency maintaining an archive of 200,000 photographs, supplying images to newspapers, publishers, and advertising agencies during the Weimar Republic.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope with printed letterhead and window panel

Postal Features: German Reich postage stamps; Berlin postal cancellations; window envelope design for efficient mail processing.

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope with window panel

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Notable Feature: Printed claim "Archiv von 200,000 Photos" (archive of 200,000 photographs); telegraphic address "Tel-Adresse: Atlaphot"; telephone number "Tel. Lützow 2700"; window envelope design; reference to Direktion H. Sanden.

Collection Theme: Atlantik Photo Co., Berlin photographic agencies, Weimar Republic media, press photography, photo archives, H. Sanden, Königgrätzer Straße, visual journalism, telegraphic addresses, window envelopes.

Archival Significance: This c.1924 envelope documents a Berlin-based photographic agency with a substantial image archive, illustrating the infrastructure of press photography and visual media distribution during the Weimar Republic.

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 : 11 September 1948, United States

Photo Service Company Stationery, USA

This envelope represents a piece of commercial correspondence issued by Photo Service Company, a photographic service business located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The printed letterhead in the upper left corner includes a stylized illustration of a camera and film strip together with the company name, indicating a deliberate visual identity associated with photographic production. Beneath the logo appears the address 17 West Twenty-eighth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, identifying the firm's place of operation. During the mid-twentieth century it was common for photographic laboratories and commercial studios in the United States to employ printed envelopes with graphic elements that emphasized their technical specialization. Such stationery functioned both as a practical mailing medium and as a subtle form of professional branding.

Archival information concerning the corporate history of Photo Service Company is limited, and therefore the exact founding date and the identities of its founders cannot be established with certainty. Nevertheless, the urban context provides important clues regarding the nature of the enterprise. Minneapolis developed into a major commercial and industrial center during the early and mid-twentieth century, hosting a wide range of photographic laboratories, portrait studios, and printing establishments. Businesses operating under names similar to "photo service" frequently specialized in film development, photographic printing, commercial photography, and visual production for advertising or corporate documentation. It is therefore reasonable to interpret Photo Service Company as a firm engaged in professional photographic processing and commercial image production.

The envelope is addressed to Northwestern Telephone Company, located at 224 South Fifth Street in Minneapolis. This company formed part of the extensive telephone service infrastructure that expanded rapidly across the American Midwest during the twentieth century. Telecommunications corporations of this scale maintained large administrative operations and regularly relied on photographic services for internal documentation, promotional materials, technical manuals, and corporate publications. Consequently, the correspondence between Photo Service Company and Northwestern Telephone Company most likely related to commissioned photography, image reproduction, or the supply of photographic materials intended for corporate use.

The postal cancellation indicates Minneapolis, Minnesota as the place of mailing and records the date September 11, 1948, with a late evening dispatch time. This period corresponds with the years immediately following the Second World War, when the United States experienced significant economic expansion and industrial growth. The envelope bears a three-cent commemorative stamp titled "Progress of Women" issued in 1948. The stamp depicts prominent figures associated with the women's rights movement and was released to commemorate advances in women's civic and political participation in the United States. Its denomination of three cents corresponds to the standard domestic letter rate of the period. Since no markings indicating airmail or registered service are present, the item appears to have been sent through the ordinary domestic postal system.

In the late 1940s the photographic industry was undergoing rapid transformation. Technological developments achieved during the war, particularly in optics and photographic chemistry, were quickly transferred into civilian applications. Amateur photography expanded dramatically, while commercial photography became increasingly important for advertising, technical documentation, and corporate communication. Companies operating in urban commercial centers such as Minneapolis played a central role in supplying photographic services to industry, media, and public institutions. Firms like Photo Service Company therefore functioned as intermediaries between photographic technology and the broader commercial environment.

From a philatelic perspective the envelope may be classified within several collecting themes. It represents a typical example of mid-twentieth-century United States commercial postal history, illustrating routine business correspondence. At the same time it belongs to the category of photographic trade ephemera, as the printed letterhead reflects the visual culture of professional photographic services. The graphic design of the envelope also contributes to the study of postwar American commercial typography and advertising aesthetics. Furthermore, the correspondence documents an interaction between two technological sectors—telecommunications and photography—making it relevant to collectors interested in industrial history.

Record Information

Title: Photo Service Company Stationery, USA

Category: Photographic Industry History / Commercial Services

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Corporate Photography

Country: USA

City: Minneapolis

Date of use: 11 September 1948

Company (Sender): Photo Service Company, 17 West Twenty-eighth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. A photographic service business likely specializing in film development, photographic printing, commercial photography, and visual production for advertising and corporate documentation.

Company (Recipient): Northwestern Telephone Company, 224 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. A telecommunications company operating in the American Midwest, requiring photographic services for internal documentation, promotional materials, technical manuals, and corporate publications.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope with printed letterhead and camera illustration

Postal Features: Three-cent United States commemorative stamp "Progress of Women" (1948); Minneapolis postal cancellation (11 September 1948).

Language: English

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Notable Feature: Stylized camera and film strip illustration in letterhead; "Progress of Women" commemorative stamp depicting women's rights movement figures; correspondence between photographic service and telecommunications company.

Collection Theme: Photo Service Company, Minneapolis photography, American photographic services, corporate photography, Northwestern Telephone Company, telecommunications industry, Progress of Women stamp, 1940s commerce, postwar America.

Archival Significance: This 1948 envelope documents the commercial relationship between a photographic service company and a telecommunications corporation, illustrating the role of professional photography in mid-twentieth-century American corporate communication.

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 : 1942, Germany

Photohaus T. Knarr Photographic Studio Stationery

This envelope represents a modest yet historically significant document of commercial and social communication from a period in which the photographic trade in Germany was evolving from local activity into broader regional and national networks. When its typographic elements, postal markings, and sender information are considered together, it provides valuable insight into both the nature of the sending enterprise and the postal and economic structures of the time.

The inscription “Photohaus T. Knarr” in the lower left corner clearly identifies the sender. In German-speaking regions, the term “Photohaus” typically refers to a hybrid business model combining a photographic studio with the retail of photographic supplies. Such establishments not only offered portrait services but also sold film, photographic paper, and various types of equipment. The name “T. Knarr” most likely reflects the proprietor or founder of the business; however, due to the limited availability of archival documentation, precise information regarding the individual’s life dates or the firm’s exact founding year cannot be established with certainty. Nevertheless, the address on the envelope indicates that the business operated in Bad Aibling, a town in Bavaria. During the first half of the twentieth century, Bad Aibling was known for its health tourism and small-scale commercial activity, making the presence of a photographic enterprise there consistent with the regional economic landscape.

Available evidence concerning the Knarr firm remains fragmentary, and its exact period of operation cannot be definitively determined. However, the business may be associated with Wilhelm T. Knarr (1869–1950), suggesting that it was active at least during the first half of the twentieth century. The presence of the names “Wilhelm Knarr” or “T. Knarr” on the reverse sides of postcards and photo cards dating from the 1950s indicates that the firm was not limited to studio photography but also engaged in portrait production and photographic printing services. These findings further suggest that the business may have expanded into postcard publishing. Consequently, it is reasonable to infer that the Knarr firm continued its activities after the Second World War, broadening its scope and participating in regional visual production networks.

The dating of the envelope can be established with greater precision through its postal features. The 12 pfennig stamp bearing the inscription “Deutsches Reich” corresponds to a postal issue from Germany between 1933 and 1945. The postmark clearly reads “Bad Aibling,” and the date “13.2.” is partially legible. Although the year cannot be fully determined, the combination of typographic characteristics and the stamp strongly suggests that the envelope dates to the late 1930s or early 1940s. The design of the postmark itself reflects the aesthetic conventions of German postal markings of the period, which often incorporated regional or thematic visual elements.

This period in Germany was marked by both technical and commercial development within the photographic sector, while simultaneously being shaped by broader political and economic pressures. The production of photographic materials was largely sustained by domestic industry, whereas distribution and service networks were maintained by small and medium-sized enterprises. Businesses such as Photohaus Knarr functioned as intermediaries between producers and consumers, while also maintaining direct relationships with local clientele. In this context, the envelope should be understood not merely as a piece of postal material, but as a tangible trace of everyday commercial practice at the local level.

Record Information

Title: Photohaus T. Knarr Photographic Studio Stationery

Category: Photographic Industry History / Local Commerce

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / German Postal History

Country: Germany → Germany

City: Bad Aibling → [Recipient unknown]

Date of use: circa 1942 (late 1930s – early 1940s)

Company (Sender): Photohaus T. Knarr, Bad Aibling, Bavaria, Germany. A hybrid photographic business combining studio portrait services with retail of photographic supplies (film, paper, equipment). Possibly associated with Wilhelm T. Knarr (1869–1950), active from the early twentieth century through the post-war period, later expanding into postcard publishing.

Object Type: Domestic commercial envelope

Postal Features: German Reich 12 pfennig stamp (1933–1945 issue); Bad Aibling postal cancellation (partial date: 13.2.); domestic postal rate.

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope with printed business inscription

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Photohaus T. Knarr, Bad Aibling photography, Bavarian photographic trade, Wilhelm T. Knarr, German Reich postal history, domestic commercial correspondence, studio photography, photographic retail, local commerce, 1940s Germany.

Archival Significance: This circa 1942 envelope documents a local photographic business in Bavaria, illustrating the role of small-town photographic studios and retailers within the German commercial and postal networks during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

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 : 29 March 1940, Germany

Otto Perutz Dry Plate Factory Stationery, Munich

This commercial postal card represents a business correspondence issued by Otto Perutz Trockenplattenfabrik, a photographic materials manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. The printed letterhead on the card indicates that the company operated as a limited liability firm specializing in the production of dry photographic plates. The header also includes telephone numbers, telegraph information, and banking references, which were typical elements of professional business stationery during the early twentieth century. The address listed on the card, Dachauerstrasse 50 in Munich, was located in an area known for industrial and commercial activity.

The company founded by Otto Perutz (1847-1922) became one of the important producers of photographic materials in Europe from the late nineteenth century onward. Perutz was particularly known for the manufacture of photographic plates and films. Dry plate technology represented a major technical innovation in the history of photography. Compared with the earlier wet collodion process, dry plates allowed photographers to use pre-prepared photographic materials, eliminating the need for chemical preparation at the moment of exposure. This technological improvement significantly simplified photographic practice and contributed to the expansion of photography as both a professional and amateur activity.

The recipient of the correspondence is identified as Albert Grempel, whose business was located in Neustadt bei Coburg. The description "Photo-Kino-Optik" printed next to the address suggests that the recipient operated a retail or distribution business dealing with photographic equipment, cinema apparatus, and optical products. Businesses of this type were essential in supplying photographic technology to local markets during the first half of the twentieth century.

The document is dated 29 March 1940 in Munich. This date falls within the early period of the Second World War. Despite the political and military circumstances of the time, commercial correspondence related to photographic materials appears to have continued. Photographic technologies during this period were not only used for artistic and commercial purposes but also played important roles in scientific, industrial, and military applications.

The upper section of the card bears a red machine cancellation that includes the inscription "Perutz – Das zuverlässige Photomaterial," which translates to "Perutz – the reliable photographic material." This slogan functioned as a promotional message emphasizing the reliability of the company's products. The eagle emblem and numerical imprint within the same cancellation reflect the design of mechanical postage franking machines used in Germany during the period.

From a philatelic perspective the document represents an example of a commercial postal card bearing a machine franking mark. Such postal markings were widely used by large companies in the early twentieth century. They allowed businesses to automate postage payment while simultaneously incorporating advertising messages into their outgoing correspondence.

In terms of collecting categories this item belongs to photographic trade ephemera. It is also relevant for collections focusing on photographic chemistry and the industrial production of photographic materials. Because the Perutz company played a significant role in the European photographic industry, surviving business correspondence from the firm constitutes a valuable source for the study of photographic technology and commerce.

The Rise of Dry Photographic Plates and the Role of the Perutz Company in the Photographic Industry (1880–1940)

During the second half of the nineteenth century photography underwent a significant technological transformation. Early photographic processes, particularly the wet collodion method, were capable of producing highly detailed images but required a complex and time-sensitive workflow. Photographers had to prepare chemical solutions and coat photographic plates immediately before exposure. This requirement imposed practical limitations, especially for field photography and mobile photographic work. The introduction of dry photographic plate technology during the 1870s marked an important step toward overcoming these difficulties and contributed to a new phase in the development of photography.

Dry plates were based on a light-sensitive gelatin emulsion applied to glass plates in advance of photographic use. Because these plates could be prepared industrially in factories, photographers were able to use them directly without performing chemical preparation during the photographic process. This innovation simplified photographic practice and significantly increased the accessibility and speed of image production. From the 1880s onward many manufacturers in Europe and North America began large-scale production of dry photographic plates, and these materials quickly became standard tools in photographic studios and among amateur photographers.

One of the important industrial participants in this transformation was the company founded by the German entrepreneur Otto Perutz. Based in Munich, the Perutz company became active in the production of dry photographic plates during the late nineteenth century. Over time the firm developed a reputation as a reliable manufacturer within the European photographic industry. The Perutz brand became associated with technically dependable emulsions and consistent production quality, qualities that were particularly valued by professional photographers and photographic studios.

The widespread adoption of dry plates not only transformed studio photography but also expanded the use of photography in scientific and technical fields. Disciplines such as astronomy, medicine, and industrial research increasingly relied on photographic plates as recording instruments. High-sensitivity plates allowed astronomers to capture long-exposure images of celestial objects and enabled scientists to document microscopic observations with greater precision. Manufacturers of photographic plates therefore became important suppliers not only for commercial photography but also for scientific research and technological development.

During the early twentieth century photographic technology entered another stage of development. Flexible film materials began to gain popularity, although dry plates continued to be widely used in professional and technical contexts. The expansion of amateur photography and the rapid growth of the motion picture industry created new markets for photographic materials. In response to these developments, companies such as Perutz diversified their production by developing new types of photographic films and emulsions.

By the 1930s the photographic industry in Europe operated within a broad international commercial network. Cameras, optical systems, and photographic chemicals were manufactured in different regions and distributed through extensive trade channels. Cities such as Munich, Dresden, and Berlin were important centers of technological production, while commercial hubs like Leipzig played a significant role in international distribution. Within this network the Perutz company maintained a prominent position as a supplier of photographic materials.

By the 1940s photographic technology was increasingly shifting toward flexible film systems, yet dry photographic plates did not disappear entirely. In certain scientific and technical applications glass plates remained useful because of their stability and image quality. Nevertheless the overall direction of the industry gradually moved toward film-based photographic technologies.

In conclusion the development of dry photographic plates represents one of the most important innovations in the history of photography. This technology simplified the photographic process and contributed to the expansion of both professional and amateur photography. The company founded by Otto Perutz played a notable role within this transformation by producing photographic materials that supported the growth of the photographic industry. The activities of such manufacturers illustrate not only a technical development but also the emergence of photography as a modern industrial and commercial system.

Record Information

Title: Otto Perutz Dry Plate Factory Stationery, Munich

Category: Photographic Industry History / Chemical Manufacturing

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Dry Plate Technology

Country: Germany

City: Munich (Sender) → Neustadt bei Coburg (Recipient)

Date of use: 29 March 1940

Company (Sender): Otto Perutz Trockenplattenfabrik, Dachauerstrasse 50, Munich, Germany. A German photographic materials manufacturer founded by Otto Perutz (1847-1922), specializing in dry photographic plates, films, and emulsions. Known for the slogan "Perutz – Das zuverlässige Photomaterial."

Company (Recipient): Albert Grempel, Photo-Kino-Optik, Neustadt bei Coburg, Germany. A retail or distribution business dealing with photographic equipment, cinema apparatus, and optical products.

Object Type: Domestic commercial postcard with printed letterhead and machine franking

Postal Features: Red machine franking mark with eagle emblem and inscription "Perutz – Das zuverlässige Photomaterial"; Munich postal cancellation (29 March 1940).

Language: German

Material: Paper postcard

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Notable Feature: Advertising slogan "Perutz – Das zuverlässige Photomaterial" in machine franking; reference to "Trockenplattenfabrik" (dry plate factory); correspondence during early WWII period (1940).

Collection Theme: Otto Perutz, Perutz-Photowerke, Munich photographic industry, dry plates, photographic chemicals, Trockenplatten, Albert Grempel, Neustadt bei Coburg, Photo-Kino-Optik, WWII commerce, machine franking.

Archival Significance: This 1940 commercial card documents the production and distribution of dry photographic plates during the early years of the Second World War, illustrating the continued operation of the photographic materials industry despite wartime conditions.

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 : 1928, Sweden

Forsners AB Letter to Excelsior-Werk, Stockholm

This envelope represents a commercial postal item sent from Stockholm, Sweden to Leipzig, Germany by the company Forsners Aktiebolag. The printed letterhead visible on the front of the envelope provides valuable information about the company's activities. The inscription includes the words "Fotografi," "Radio," "Projektion," and "Leksaker," indicating that the firm dealt with photographic equipment as well as other technical and consumer products. The address given for the company is Klarabergsgatan 44 in Stockholm, a street known as an important commercial area in the city during the early twentieth century.

An examination of the company's description suggests that Forsners Aktiebolag functioned as a distributor of technical equipment and photographic supplies. During the early decades of the twentieth century photography expanded rapidly both as a professional occupation and as a popular hobby. This growth created a large market for cameras, glass plates, films, projection devices, and darkroom materials. Many commercial firms specialized in importing, distributing, and selling such equipment. Forsners Aktiebolag likely operated within this expanding commercial network.

The address on the envelope identifies the recipient as the firm "Excelsior-Werk" located in Leipzig. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Leipzig was one of the major commercial and industrial centers of Central Europe. The city played a key role in the printing, publishing, and technical equipment industries and was internationally known for its large trade fairs. Companies located in Leipzig maintained extensive correspondence with businesses across Europe, making the exchange between Forsners Aktiebolag and Excelsior-Werk a typical example of international commercial communication.

One of the most notable features of the envelope is that it was sent as registered mail. The abbreviation "Rek." together with the red registration label indicates that the item was officially recorded within the Swedish postal system. Registered mail was commonly used for business correspondence containing documents or other items of importance. Through this system the postal service maintained records of dispatch and delivery, providing additional security for valuable or significant mail.

The postage stamp attached to the envelope bears the inscription "Sverige" together with a crown emblem and a value of 45 öre. This design represents a typical example of Swedish postage stamps from the early twentieth century. The style of the stamp and its typography reflect the visual aesthetics commonly used in Scandinavian postal issues of the period.

On the reverse side of the envelope a Leipzig postal cancellation confirms the arrival of the item in Germany. The date visible on the cancellation corresponds to the year 1928. This period coincided with a time of significant development within the photographic industry in Europe. The 1920s saw technological innovations in camera design, film production, and projection systems, which stimulated international trade in photographic equipment.

From a collecting perspective the envelope can be associated with several categories. It belongs to the field of commercial photographic trade ephemera and also represents an example of registered international mail. Because it documents a postal connection between Sweden and Germany, it also contributes to the study of European commercial postal networks.

Record Information

Title: Forsners AB Letter to Excelsior-Werk, Stockholm

Category: Photographic Industry History / International Trade

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / Registered Mail

Country: Sweden (Sender) → Germany (Recipient)

City: Stockholm (Sender) → Leipzig (Recipient)

Date of use: 1928

Company (Sender): Forsners Aktiebolag, Klarabergsgatan 44, Stockholm, Sweden. A Swedish commercial firm founded in 1901 by Anders Forsners (1858-1942), dealing in photographic equipment, radio technology, projection devices, and toys, serving as a distributor of technical and consumer products.

Company (Recipient): Excelsior-Werk, Leipzig, Germany. A German firm likely involved in technical equipment, printing, or related industries, located in Leipzig's commercial center.

Object Type: International registered commercial envelope with printed letterhead

Postal Features: Swedish 45 öre postage stamp with crown emblem and "Sverige" inscription; red registration label; "Rek." abbreviation; Stockholm postal cancellation; Leipzig arrival cancellation (1928).

Language: Swedish, German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Notable Feature: Registered mail with "Rek." marking; product categories include "Fotografi," "Radio," "Projektion," and "Leksaker"; international trade between Sweden and Germany; Stockholm to Leipzig postal route.

Collection Theme: Forsners AB, Anders Forsners, Stockholm commerce, Swedish photographic trade, Excelsior-Werk, Leipzig, registered mail, international trade, 1920s commerce, European postal networks.

Archival Significance: This 1928 registered envelope documents international trade between a Swedish photographic equipment distributor and a German firm, illustrating the commercial networks that supported the European photographic industry in the interwar period.

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.