Fotoalbum N.V. Machinefabriek Braat Surabaja 1936 - 1953

This photo album was likely made for N.V. Machinefabriek Braat Surabaja, but its maker remains anonymous. At first glance, the album’s brown cover might seem plain, but its significance lies in the way materials and processes tell a story. The cover, seemingly crafted from leather or a convincing imitation, offers a glimpse into the values of the company that commissioned it. Leather suggests durability and quality, resonating with the image of a machine factory known for producing robust equipment. The application of the company logo, neatly embossed in the lower corner, speaks to corporate pride and identity. This album, undoubtedly made to showcase the factory’s work, embodies a marriage of craftsmanship and industrial production. By considering the materials, making, and context, we understand how this object goes beyond a simple repository for photographs. It represents a carefully constructed image of industry and enterprise, blurring the lines between functional design and deliberate self-presentation.