Photo Paper Trademarks,  Logo’s and other imprints

Anything found on an older postcard can be valuable for research. On real photo cards, either amateur or photographer work, you often find imprints which were not added by the photographer but already part of the pre-printed “Post Card” address side supplied by the photo paper manufacturer. This goes so far that even the film brand and / or camera lens used is mentioned.

I have noted the work of US collectors who carefully researched many of the photo paper trademarks. Names / initials (eg. AZO, ARTURA, VELOX, PMC etc) are usually found in the stamp box position. I am going to concentrate on old German companies here. Ignore the big firms like Agfa, Kodak who dealt worldwide. Names that are self-explaining, on which information is found quite easily. The trademarks in question are found on postcards done by amateurs as well as commercial photographers, with a limited number of copies printed. These however, were often mailed worldwide to relatives, friends etc.

The fir tree trademark with or without the initials Dr. A.K.W. was registered for Fabrik photograph. Papiere vorm. Dr. A. Kurz AG from Wernigerode / Harz (mountains) region. This photopaper factory was set up by Dr. A. Kurz in 1864. The first to produce Colodium paper (Celloidin) in quantity in Germany. Converted into a joint stock company (AG) in 1895. The huge ‘Vereinigten Fabriken photographischer Papiere AG’ from Dresden took many shares in 1902. By mid-1920’s the Schering (Satrap) company becomes business partner. The firm was removed from the register of companies in 1930. Only few cards seen so far.

The T & M trademark stood for Trapp & Muench from Friedberg, Hessia. Set up by Dr. August Trapp in 1861 and after his brother-in-law Theodor Muench joined (for few years only) named into Trapp & Muench. Turned into a limited company by 1902. Converted into a AG by 1919 and taken over completely by Mimosa AG in 1919, but continued under own name. Production at Friedberg was stopped in 1929. Business moved to Dresden in 1931. The small T & M imprint is usually found at top of dividing line position. Often seen on (good quality) real photo postcards.

Cellofix

D.R.P. 176323

The Cellofix trademark was registered for Kraft & Steudel, Fabrik photographischer Papiere, Dresden in 1907. See also title illustration. It was a photo paper especially for amateurs. This business was set up in 1894 and was around until late 1933 bankruptcy). Another popular Kraft & Steudel brand was named “Sidi”. Cellofix postcards are quite often seen.

The Satrap trademark was registered for Schering AG, Berlin. The name around 1901 and the Satrag head logo a couple of years later. The origins of Schering chemical company go back to the year 1851, the joint stock company was formed in Oct. 1871. Quite a big firm that took over the photo paper factory Herzheim, Dueren in 1898, partner of dry photographic plate manufacturer Richard Jahr, Dresden. In 1923 Schering took over Voigtlaender company, in 1925 shares of Vereinigen Fabriken photographischer Papiere AG, Dresden, shares of previous mentioned Dr. A.K. Kurz factory etc. In 1927 another co-operation and a new name: Schering-Kahlbaum AG. And so on and on. Quite complicated company history, typical for the time. The Satrap logo is found quite often on postcards, also abroad. Logo usually in stamp box position.

Just three samples of the many, many different photo paper makes, prints and qualities offered long ago. Sepia with matt surface, glossy look with sepia touch on quality card and wide tonal range, and reddish-yellow card, the photo coming along in excellent matt, detailed look. Nothing like that today anymore. Impressive indeed!

Dresdner Photochemische Werke Fritz Weber, Heidenau/Dresden