Date of use : 1937 Czechoslovakia

Photographer Josef Walter's Letter to Museum Architect Škorpil

Josef Walter, known by the title "Heimat-Photograph," was a photographer based in the town of Grulich (now Králíky) in Czechoslovakia. He produced postcards and photographs documenting the landscapes and architectural structures of the region, particularly religious buildings such as small chapels in and around Grulich. His work reflects the architectural and cultural essence of the period, shedding light on the history of the region.

The recipient of the envelope bearing the letterhead "Heimat-Photograph Josef Walter Grulich, Kl. Ring 338" was Josef Škorpil (July 28, 1856 – March 15, 1931), a Czech architect and museum expert. Born in Vysoké Mýto and passing away in Plzeň (Pilsen), Škorpil served as the director of the Museum of West Bohemian Art and Industry (Západočeské uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum). One of his most remarkable works is the West Bohemian Museum, a Neo-Renaissance building constructed between 1897 and 1900, which has since become one of Plzeň's most significant landmarks.

Record Information

Title: Photographer Josef Walter's Letter to Museum Architect Škorpil

Category: Photographic Studio History / Architectural Documentation

Subcategory: Czechoslovak Photography / Cultural Heritage Correspondence

Country: Czechoslovakia (Sender: Grulich) → Austria (Recipient: Vienna) 🗺️ Show Route

City: Grulich (Králíky) → Vienna (Wien)

Date of use: c. 1937 (based on envelope design and period)

Studio: Heimat-Photograph J. Walter, Grulich, Kl. Ring 338 (Photohandlung – Amateurarbeiten)

Photographer: Josef Walter, known as "Heimat-Photograph" (regional photographer), documented landscapes, architecture, and religious buildings (chapels) in the Grulich region

Recipient: Josef Škorpil (1856-1931), Czech architect and museum expert, Director of the Museum of West Bohemian Art and Industry, designer of the West Bohemian Museum (Plzeň, Neo-Renaissance, 1897-1900)

Address: Wien 5. Bezirk, Jahngasse 17/24, Oesterreich (Austria)

Object Type: Commercial postal cover / studio correspondence

Postal Route 🚂🚲📮: Grulich (Králíky), Czechoslovakia → Vienna, Austria (c.1937) (Estimated Route)

Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 2-3 days (local horse-drawn cart → railway → city delivery)

Postal Features: Czechoslovak postage stamps; period cancellation (c. 1937).

Notable Design: Studio letterhead "Heimat-Photograph J. Walter Grulich, Kl. Ring 338"

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Czechoslovak regional photography, architect-photographer networks, cultural heritage documentation, Sudetenland history

Archival Significance: This envelope documents the correspondence between Josef Walter, a regional photographer in Grulich, and architect Josef Škorpil. Walter's work preserved the cultural heritage of the Grulich region through landscape and architectural photography, while Škorpil designed the West Bohemian Museum in Plzeň. The item illustrates the networks connecting photographers with architects and cultural institutions in interwar Czechoslovakia, reflecting the German-speaking Sudetenland context and its ties to Vienna.

🚂 Postal Route: Czechoslovakia → Austria (c.1937) (Estimated Route)

🐴 Grulich (Králíky) 🇨🇿 → 🚂 Railway → 🚲 Vienna Delivery → 📬 Wien 5. Bezirk, Jahngasse 17/24 🇦🇹

📮 Heimat-Photograph Josef Walter (Grulich) → 🐴 Local cart to station → 🚂 Railway mail → 🚲 Postal carrier → 📬 Josef Škorpil (Vienna)
Regional photographer | Architectural documentation | Cultural heritage | Sudetenland | Estimated travel time: 2-3 days

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 : 1930 Germany

Unknown Photo P. Brandt Cover Sent from Dortmund-Brackel

There is no information available about the Photo P. Brandt letterhead envelope. The address specified on the envelope is Dortmund-Brackel, Flughafen (airport). The envelope bears the term "Drucksache" (printed matter), indicating that the shipment contains printed documents. Additionally, there is a "Nachnahme" (cash on delivery) label, which means that the recipient is required to make a payment upon delivery. The recipient's name on the envelope is Frau Erna Becker.

Record Information

Title: Unknown Photo P. Brandt Cover Sent from Dortmund-Brackel

Category: Photographic Trade History / Postal History

Subcategory: Commercial Correspondence / German Postal Services

Country: Germany

City: Dortmund-Brackel

Date of use: c. 1930 (based on envelope design and postal markings)

Sender: Photo P. Brandt, Dortmund-Brackel, Flughafen (airport)

Recipient: Frau Erna Becker

Object Type: Commercial postal cover / printed matter shipment

Postal Features: "Drucksache" (printed matter) designation, "Nachnahme" (cash on delivery) label

Language: German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: German photographic trade, commercial postal practices, 1930s business correspondence

Archival Significance: This 1930s envelope from Photo P. Brandt in Dortmund-Brackel represents the commercial correspondence of a German photographic business, though details about the company remain unknown. The address at "Flughafen" (airport) suggests the firm may have been located near Dortmund's airport, possibly serving aviation-related photography or benefiting from transport connections. The "Drucksache" (printed matter) marking and "Nachnahme" (cash on delivery) label provide insight into German postal practices of the period—printed matter rates for commercial catalogs or price lists, and cash-on-delivery for orders requiring payment upon receipt. This item is a primary source for understanding the routine business operations of small to medium-sized photographic suppliers in interwar Germany, the postal infrastructure that supported commercial transactions, and the material evidence of economic activity in the Dortmund region during the 1930s.

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 : 1946 Germany

COPYFLEX GmbH: Light-Based Printing Card from 1946 Fürth

COPYFLEX GmbH operated in the 1940s in the city of Fürth, Germany, and was officially known as "Gesellschaft für phototechnische Apparatebau m.b.H." The company specialized in the production of photographic technology devices and developed printing technologies using light, as emphasized by its slogan, "Druck mit Licht" (Printing with Light). In the lower left corner of the card, the company's logo and this distinctive slogan are displayed. The presence of a mythological figure in the logo suggests the firm's innovative and artistic approach. The content of the card includes a request for a cash book from the Karl Wich company. Dated 1946, it serves as a significant example of the post-war period, reflecting the restructuring of commercial activities during that time.

Record Information

Title: COPYFLEX GmbH: Light-Based Printing Card from 1946 Fürth

Category: Photographic Technology History / Commercial Ephemera

Subcategory: Post-WWII Industry / Printing Technology

Country: Germany

City: Fürth in Bayern (Marienstr. 3) / Berlin branch also listed

Date of use: 1946

Company: COPYFLEX GmbH (Gesellschaft für phototechnische Apparatebau m.b.H.)

Specialization: Photographic technology devices, light-based printing systems

Slogan: "Druck mit Licht" (Printing with Light)

Logo: Mythological figure, suggesting artistic and innovative approach

Recipient: Karl Wich, Bürobedarf (office supplies), Fürth, Blumenstraße

Object Type: Commercial postcard / business correspondence

Content: Request for a cash book (order/inquiry)

Language: German

Material: Printed card stock

Dimensions: Standard postcard format

Collection Theme: Post-war German industry, photographic technology, light-based printing, commercial reconstruction

Archival Significance: This 1946 COPYFLEX GmbH postcard documents the operations of a German company specializing in phototechnical apparatus and light-based printing technology in the immediate post-World War II period. The company's slogan "Druck mit Licht" (Printing with Light) and its logo featuring a mythological figure reflect both technical innovation and artistic sensibility. The presence of a Berlin branch alongside the Fürth headquarters indicates the company's regional scope. The correspondence with Karl Wich, an office supply business, demonstrates the resumption of commercial activity and supply chains in the post-war economy. This item is a primary source for understanding the reconstruction of German industry after 1945, the role of photographic technology in printing and reproduction, and the everyday business practices that supported economic recovery. It represents the intersection of technical innovation, commercial networking, and material culture in post-war Germany.

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 : 1935, Brazil

Agfa-Photo Brazil Airmail to IG Farben with Aviation Stamps

The Agfa-Photo Dabbinghaus, Weskott & Cia. letterhead envelope suggests that it may belong to an Agfa representative or distributor office in Brazil. Agfa's roots date back to 1867 in Berlin, Germany. Initially a company producing chemical products, Agfa was restructured in 1894 under the name "Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation" and soon became known as "Agfa." In addition to chemical products, the company began producing photographic products and grew rapidly. In the 1920s and 1930s, Agfa became a major player in the production of photographic films, printing papers, and photographic equipment, securing a prominent position in the industry.

In 1964, it merged with the Belgium-based Gevaert company, adopting the name "Agfa-Gevaert." This merger helped the company achieve a stronger position in Europe and worldwide. In the 1980s and 1990s, with the rise of digital photography, Agfa shifted from film-based photography to digital imaging technologies, solidifying its position in modern photography and imaging technologies.

Today, although Agfa no longer produces traditional products like photographic films and papers, it remains a key player in the commercial and industrial imaging technologies sectors, focusing on medical imaging and graphic arts industries. According to the information on the envelope, the recipient is listed as I.G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft, one of the largest chemical companies of the time.

The "Via Aerea Luftpost" inscription and the airplane symbol on the envelope indicate that the letter was delivered via air mail to Germany. Two stamps on the envelope are particularly noteworthy. The 3$500 (3.5 Cruzeiros) nominal value stamp was issued to support Brazil's airmail services. The design of this stamp, featuring the map of Brazil and an airplane, symbolizes modern transportation systems and the developing air transportation networks of the time.

The map emphasizes Brazil's vast geography and national borders, while the airplane figure represents the speed and efficiency that air transport brought to communication networks. The stamp includes the inscription "Brasil Correio" in the upper right corner and the nominal value at the bottom. The second stamp, valued at 700 reis, was added to complete the total postage. This stamp was also issued to support Brazil's airmail services.

In the 1930s, especially in large countries like Brazil, airmail was critical for providing faster communication to hard-to-reach areas. These stamps were issued as part of efforts to enhance Brazil's airmail services and symbolize the modernization efforts of the time.

Record Information

Title: Agfa-Photo Brazil Airmail to IG Farben with Aviation Stamps

Category: Photographic Industry History / Postal History

Subcategory: International Trade / Airmail Development

Country: Brazil (Origin) → Germany (Destination) 🗺️ Show Route

City: Rio de Janeiro → Berlin

Date of use: circa 1935 (based on stamp design and period)

Sender: Agfa-Photo Dabbinghaus, Weskott & Cia., Rio de Janeiro (Agfa representative/distributor in Brazil)

Recipient: I.G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany

Company: Agfa (founded 1867 Berlin, restructured 1894, merged with Gevaert 1964 to form Agfa-Gevaert)

Object Type: International airmail cover / business correspondence

Postal Route ✈️: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil → Berlin, Germany (1935 Airmail Route)

Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 3-5 days (airmail via transatlantic routes)

Postal Features: "VIA AEREA LUFTPOST" marking, airplane symbol; two airmail stamps: 3$500 (map of Brazil and airplane), 700 reis stamp; "Brasil Correio" inscription

Language: Portuguese / German

Material: Paper envelope

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: Agfa corporate history, Brazil-Germany trade, I.G. Farben connections, 1930s airmail development, aviation-themed stamps

Archival Significance: This 1930s airmail envelope documents the commercial relationship between Agfa-Photo's Brazilian representative and I.G. Farbenindustrie in Germany. The "VIA AEREA LUFTPOST" marking and aviation-themed stamps illustrate Brazil's efforts to develop airmail services in the 1930s. This item is a primary source for understanding Agfa's pre-war international distribution networks and the role of airmail in facilitating business communication between South America and Europe during the interwar period.

✈️ Postal Route: Brazil → Germany (1935 Airmail Route)

📍 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 🇧🇷 → ✈️ Recife 🇧🇷 → ✈️ Dakar 🇸🇳 → ✈️ Lisbon 🇵🇹 → ✈️ Paris 🇫🇷 → 📍 Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪

📮 Agfa-Photo Dabbinghaus, Weskott & Cia. (Rio de Janeiro, Agfa representative) → ✈️ "VIA AEREA LUFTPOST" airmail → 📬 I.G. Farbenindustrie A.G. (Berlin)
Brazilian airmail development | Aviation-themed stamps (3$500 map of Brazil with airplane, 700 reis) | "Brasil Correio" | German-Brazilian photographic & chemical trade | Estimated travel time: 3-5 days (1935)

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 : 1939 Germany

German Guild Insurance Card with 1938 Social Contributions

This card refers to the health insurance institution of the Guild of Photographers, Jewelers, and Watchmakers in Berlin. The card was used as a payment document in connection with health insurance premiums or other related transactions. In the recipient section, the name "Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner" is written, indicating a business involved in photo copying services. Additionally, the card features a logo with a double eagle symbol and the inscription "Ein Volk hilft sich selbst" ("A nation helps itself"), which alludes to one of the social or economic solidarity movements of the time. Specifically, it may be connected to the "Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes" ("Winter Relief of the German People"), a social aid program implemented in Germany during the 1930s to provide basic necessities for those in need. At the bottom of the card, there is a Postal Check Account Number (147401) along with the note: "Bei Postüberweisung bitte die Hebelistennummer anzugeben" ("When making a postal transfer, please specify the list number").

On the back of the card, the date "Dez. 1938" (December 1938) is displayed at the top, indicating that the document pertains to accounts or notifications for December 1938. The postal stamp on the back shows the date "26.01.1939," signifying when the document was processed. The document details contributions for health insurance (Krankenversicherung) and unemployment insurance (Arbeitsversicherung).

Payments are expressed in "Reichsmark" and "Rpf" (Reichspfennig), the official currency of Germany during that era. At the bottom, the phrase "Zahlbar bis 24 Jan." ("Payable by 24 January") specifies the payment deadline. Analyzing the calculation details on the card, the following information is provided: Lohnstufe (Wage Level): 31, representing the worker's wage classification. The system required higher-paid workers to contribute more. Tage (Number of Days): 31, indicating the number of days the worker was insured, corresponding to a full month for December 1938. Contribution Categories: Krankenversicherung (Health Insurance): 3.02 Reichsmark. Arbeitsversicherung (Unemployment Insurance): 6.05 Reichsmark. It is notable that the unemployment insurance contribution is higher than the health insurance contribution. Gesamtbetrag (Total Amount): The total contribution is calculated as 9.12 Reichsmark.

On the left side of the document, the following note is written: "Bitte bei Einsendung an das Postscheckamt hier trennen nach hinten umschlagen" ("Please detach this section and fold it back when sending to the Postal Check Office"). This indicates that the document was formatted for postal submission. The stamp on the card reads "BERLIN 26.1.39." This date is shortly after the payment deadline of 24 January, suggesting that the payment was completed and the document served as a receipt. Below the stamp, the notation "I Sch A" likely refers to a postal or tax office branch in Berlin. The card also contains handwritten notes in blue ink ("Beiträge für Dez. 1938"), likely added by the employee or insurer recording the payment.

Blue ink was commonly used for official documents at the time. The term "Lastschriftzettel" (Debit Note) is written in red, clearly designating this document as a receipt for payments. The "Name des Versicherten" ("Name of the Insured") section appears to list a name that is not fully legible but might be interpreted as "Mayern" or "Mayenn." This document provides a valuable glimpse into the economic, social, and political landscape of Germany during that era. Specifically, it offers concrete evidence of how health and unemployment insurance systems functioned for the working class.

📌 Key Notes

• The document details contributions to health and unemployment insurance.

• Under the regime of the time, these insurance systems were funded by contributions from both workers and employers.

• Krankenversicherung (Health Insurance): Provided for the basic healthcare needs of insured individuals but excluded groups deemed "undesirable" by the regime, such as Jews and other persecuted minorities.

• Arbeitsversicherung (Unemployment Insurance): Used to fund programs aimed at reducing unemployment in Germany.

Record Information

Title: German Guild Insurance Card with 1938 Social Contributions

Category: Social History / Guild Records

Subcategory: Nazi Era Social Insurance / Photographic Trade

Country: Germany (Domestic Mail) 🗺️ Show Route

City: Berlin

Date of use: 26 January 1939

Organization: Krankenkasse des Photographen-, Gold-, Silberschmieden- und Uhrmacher-Handwerks zu Berlin

Recipient: Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner, Berlin N.W.87

Object Type: Insurance contribution notice / payment receipt (Lastschriftzettel)

Postal Route 🚲: Berlin (Local Delivery - 26 January 1939)

Estimated Travel Time: Same day (local Berlin delivery)

Postal Features: Postal Check Account No. 147401, Berlin postal cancellation 26.1.39

Financial Details: Lohnstufe 31, 31 days, Health Insurance 3.02 RM, Unemployment Insurance 6.05 RM, Total 9.12 RM

Language: German

Material: Printed card stock with handwritten additions

Collection Theme: Nazi-era social insurance, guild systems, photographic trade history, labor history

Archival Significance: This 1939 insurance document from the Berlin guild of photographers, jewelers, and watchmakers provides detailed insight into the social insurance system for workers in the photographic trade during the Nazi era. Addressed to Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner, a photo copying business, the card itemizes December 1938 contributions for health and unemployment insurance (9.12 Reichsmark total) based on wage level 31. The document is a primary source for understanding the financial obligations of photographic businesses and the structure of guild-based social insurance in late 1930s Germany.

🚲 Postal Route: Berlin Local Delivery (26 January 1939)

📍 Krankenkasse (Berlin) 🏛️ → 🚲 Local Postal Carrier → 📍 Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner (Berlin N.W.87)

📮 Krankenkasse des Photographen-, Gold-, Silberschmieden- und Uhrmacher-Handwerks zu Berlin → 🚲 Berlin postal service → 📬 Foto-Kopieranstalt Wegner (Flensburger Str., Stadtbahnhofs-Eck 113)
Lastschriftzettel (Debit Note) | December 1938 contributions | Health Insurance 3.02 RM | Unemployment Insurance 6.05 RM | Total 9.12 RM | Paid by 24 January 1939

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 : 1908, Costa Rica

1908 Postal Cover from Costa Rica to C.P. Goerz Berlin

A Postal Stationery Envelope Sent from San Jose, Costa Rica to C.P. Goerz in 1908. C.P. Goerz was founded in 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz in Berlin, Germany. Initially, the company produced optical instruments and equipment used for teaching mathematics. Later, it shifted its focus to photographic equipment, manufacturing high-quality cameras, lenses, binoculars, and telescopes. Notably, the company produced portable cameras such as the "Tenax" and "Ango," which were favored by both professional and amateur photographers of the time. In 1892, Goerz introduced the Dagor series of high-quality lenses, which gained immense popularity among photographers and significantly enhanced the company's reputation.

Additionally, the company's binoculars and telescopes found widespread use, particularly in military and scientific applications. In 1926, C.P. Goerz merged with other major optical manufacturers, including Carl Zeiss, Contessa-Nettel, and Ernemann, to form Zeiss Ikon. This merger created one of the largest photographic equipment manufacturers of the time. Today, C.P. Goerz no longer exists as an independent company. However, its legacy continues through the products developed by Zeiss Ikon and Carl Zeiss.

Note: Postal stationery envelopes are official postal envelopes with a pre-printed postage stamp. These envelopes are typically issued by government postal services and can be used by the sender without the need for additional postage, provided that the pre-printed stamp covers the mailing cost.

Record Information

Title: 1908 Postal Cover from Costa Rica to C.P. Goerz Berlin

Category: Optical Industry History / Postal History

Subcategory: International Trade / Postal Stationery

Country: Costa Rica (Origin) → Germany (Destination) 🗺️ Show Route

City: San José → Berlin

Date of use: 1908 (based on postal markings)

Sender: Unknown correspondent in San José, Costa Rica

Recipient: C.P. Goerz, Berlin-Friedenau, Germany (founded 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz)

Company: C.P. Goerz (1886-1926, merged into Zeiss Ikon 1926)

Key Products: Tenax and Ango portable cameras, Dagor lens series (introduced 1892), binoculars, telescopes, optical instruments

Object Type: Postal stationery envelope / commercial correspondence

Postal Route 🚢: San José, Costa Rica → Berlin, Germany (1908 Transatlantic Sea Route)

Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 2-3 weeks (by sea across Atlantic)

Postal Features: Costa Rican official postal stationery envelope with pre-printed postage stamp

Language: Spanish / German

Material: Paper envelope with pre-printed stamp

Dimensions: Standard envelope format

Collection Theme: German optical industry, Central American trade, postal stationery, pre-WWI commerce, Zeiss Ikon predecessors

Archival Significance: This 1908 postal stationery envelope from San José, Costa Rica, documents international trade with C.P. Goerz, a leading German optical manufacturer founded in 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz. Goerz's innovations—including the Tenax and Ango portable cameras and the acclaimed Dagor lens series (1892)—established the company as a major force in photography and optics. The envelope illustrates the global reach of Goerz's products, reaching customers in Central America. This item is a primary source for understanding the international distribution networks of German optical manufacturers and the demand for photographic equipment in Latin America before World War I.

🚢 Postal Route: Costa Rica → Germany (1908 Transatlantic Sea Route)

📍 San José, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 → 🚢 Limón 🇨🇷 → 🌊 Caribbean Sea → 🌊 Atlantic Ocean → 🇪🇸 Spain (transit) → 📍 Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪

📮 San José (Costa Rica) → 🚢 Transatlantic sea mail → 📬 C.P. Goerz (Berlin-Friedenau)
Postal stationery envelope (pre-printed stamp) | Tenax & Ango cameras | Dagor lenses (1892) | Pre-WWI German-Central American optical trade | Estimated travel time: 2-3 weeks (1908)

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.