PRA, NBC

PRA, Verein Photographischer Reproduktions-Anstalten GmbH

NBC, Neue Bromsilber Convention

These logos appear in the stamp box on the reverse side of many early German and Austrian cards. PRA shows that the card producer was a member of the Verein Photographischer Reproduktions-Anstalten GmbH (Association of Institutions of Photographic Reproductions). This was essentially a cartel set up in Berlin by Arthur Schwartz of NPG around 1906, to set common price levels after a period of ruinous competition. NPG actually left the organisation in 1908 with BNK. As a result a new cartel, NBC, was formed in 1909 and this lasted until the 1930s. There is more information about these cartels on the TPA site. What we have here, including some lists, is on the two links below: