Figure 1.--All we know about this family snpshot is tht it was prinyed on Leonar paper and taken in 1936. The fashions clerly date to the 1930s. Where it was taken is more difficult. Lenor paper was widely distributed throughout Europe, but we would guess it was taken in Germany. We thought prgaps Britain, but the boy's high-top shoes seem more German. France is a possibility. The

Leonar is German produced photograpic paper. This does not mean, however, that the printed photographs were German. Leonar was founded as a partnership between a chemist and a businessman manufacturing and selling photographic chemicals (1893). Aftr the ininial succes, the parners expanded into printing-out (POP) papers, a popular format, and the production of cameras. They did not begin manufacturing developing-out paper until after the turn of the century (1907). They capitalized on the huge expansion of the ndustry with the introduction of easy to take family snapshots launched by Kodak. Germany at the time was a tecnological powerhouse, a European leder in chemistry. Leonar was part of the businesses that followed. After World War I they introduced new types of paper coatings and emulsions (1920). This established Leonar as a major participant in the photographic industry during the inter-War era. Leonar introduced mass production methods to its factories whih helped and expanded its markets throughout Europe. Werke AG went public (1932). Asa result, some of the most widely used photographic papers in Europe were produced by Leonar Werke AG. The main plant was in the Wandsbek, a Hamburg neighborhood. There were several branded papers with special qualities. Brands included: Rano, Lumarto, Imago and Leigrano. The popularity of Leonar papers througout Europe means that we can not be sure the prints are German, but a good any were. Hamburg including the Leonar factory was deveastated by American and British bombers during World War II (1943). Hamburg because f its location was the most vunerable of all the major German cities. After theWar, the company rebuilt and modernized. Leonar merged with Agfa (1964) which in turn merged with the Antwerp-based firm of Gevaert. The separate identity of Leonar disappeared (1970s).

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Created: 5:29 AM 7/7/2012
Last updated: 5:29 AM 7/7/2012