Pecole Posted November 24, 2010 Share #1 Posted November 24, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) No, it is not an error. Next to "our" Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, there was a German company called "Ernst Leitz Berlin", that had nothing to do with photography. Here are photos of their "catalogue" (Liste) for 1928-29 : a 400-page, 215 x 285 mm full-cloth hardbound illustrated volume depicting their enormous choice of scientific equipment for bacteriology and chemistry. Their full name : "Allgemeine Laboratoriumsapparate und Ustensilien für Bakteriologie und Chemie" means "General Laboratory equipment and accessories for bacteriology and chemistry". Curious, isnt'it? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/137650-fontenelle-archives-37-ernst-leitz-berlin/?do=findComment&comment=1511810'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 24, 2010 Posted November 24, 2010 Hi Pecole, Take a look here Fontenelle archives 37 : Ernst Leitz Berlin. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted November 25, 2010 Share #2 Posted November 25, 2010 Scientific Equipment ? Not microscopes within, I think ... ... it would had generated a certain confusion in the customers.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted November 25, 2010 Scientific Equipment ? Not microscopes within, I think ... ... it would had generated a certain confusion in the customers.... No, Luigi, no microscope, but all kind of glassware, furniture, ovens, "tools"...Another evidence that between the two world wars, Germany was at the top of world research and development in many scientific domains. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted November 25, 2010 Share #4 Posted November 25, 2010 Scientific Equipment ? Not microscopes within, I think ... ... it would had generated a certain confusion in the customers.... "Ernst Leitz Berlin" sold microscopes and many things for microscoping: Ernst Leitz <Berlin> - Apparate und Gerätschaften für Mikroskope, Mikrotomie, Bakteriologie, Chemie, Hygiene I am not sure, but it could be that the name "Ernst Leitz" as a classical brand for microscopes was legally used by Mr. Franz Bergman. May be he was a sort of official representation of "Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar" in Berlin (look at the inner title of the catalogue in my link; it says "Ernst Leitz Zweiggeschäft", which means "Ernst Leitz local branch"). The cataogue im my link lists all tghe Leitz microscopes. There was a similar use of the "Leica" name by "Leica bei Meister" in Hamburg. Meister was - and still is - a traditional drugstore and perfumery in Hamburg, who also sells Leica cameras since 1925. He used the brand name "Leica bei Meister" until the split between Leica Camera and Leica Microsystems, when the latter had the exclusive rights for using the name "Leica" (unfortunately as the microsystems never had anything to do with Leicas but only with Leitz...). Leica Microsystems forbid Meister to use his traditonal name "Leica bei Meister", so today it's only "Meister Camera" - even if he exclusively sells Leicas. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted November 25, 2010 "Ernst Leitz Berlin" sold microscopes and many things for microscoping: Ernst Leitz <Berlin> - Apparate und Gerätschaften für Mikroskope, Mikrotomie, Bakteriologie, Chemie, Hygiene I am not sure, but it could be that the name "Ernst Leitz" as a classical brand for microscopes was legally used by Mr. Franz Bergman. May be he was a sort of official representation of "Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar" in Berlin (look at the inner title of the catalogue in my link; it says "Ernst Leitz Zweiggeschäft", which means "Ernst Leitz local branch"). The cataogue im my link lists all tghe Leitz microscopes. There was a similar use of the "Leica" name by "Leica bei Meister" in Hamburg. Meister was - and still is - a traditional drugstore and perfumery in Hamburg, who also sells Leica cameras since 1925. He used the brand name "Leica bei Meister" until the split between Leica Camera and Leica Microsystems, when the latter had the exclusive rights for using the name "Leica" (unfortunately as the microsystems never had anything to do with Leicas but only with Leitz...). Leica Microsystems forbid Meister to use his traditonal name "Leica bei Meister", so today it's only "Meister Camera" - even if he exclusively sells Leicas. Extremely interesting! and you must be right in assuming there was at least some link with Wetzlar, since some of the microscopes illustrated in your link (a.o. page 14) are clearly marked "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar". The fact is that in "my" edition (1928-29), there was nothing related to microscopy or to Wetzlar, which is quite curious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted November 25, 2010 Share #6 Posted November 25, 2010 (edited) Seems as if "Ernst Leitz aka Franz Bergmann, Berlin" was a merchant for a lot of different stuff for clinical use or research in medicine. Using "Ernst Leitz" as a name for marketing while selling other things as well, was probably no bad idea. Reminds me to the former "His Master's Voice" and "EMI Electrola" stores for records which sold records of all brands under the Nipper symbol. It would be interesting to find out what happened to the company later and if perhaps Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar stopped them using their name at a later date. Edited November 25, 2010 by UliWer Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted November 25, 2010 Share #7 Posted November 25, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) The company "Franz Bergmann Handels GmbH" still exists in Berlin and sells stuff for laboratories: * Bergmann Franz Handels GmbH Branche Laborbedarf und -einrichtungen in Berlin auf branchen-info.net Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 25, 2010 Share #8 Posted November 25, 2010 Yes, it looks rather clear that they were a sort of local representative, surely with the right to use the Ernst Leitz name... Uli, regarding what you wrote about Leica bei Mester - Meister Camera : what do you think about the well known Leica Shop of Wien ? They have no problem, it seems... maybe for it isn't in Germany ? Or has Mr. Coeln some special relantionships ?... btw... the change of name that affected Bei Meister is rather recent... in my browser the "preferred" is still leicabeimeister.com... duly and automatically redirected... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted November 26, 2010 Share #9 Posted November 26, 2010 Yes, it looks rather clear that they were a sort of local representative, surely with the right to use the Ernst Leitz name... Uli, regarding what you wrote about Leica bei Mester - Meister Camera : what do you think about the well known Leica Shop of Wien ? They have no problem, it seems... maybe for it isn't in Germany ? Or has Mr. Coeln some special relantionships ?... btw... the change of name that affected Bei Meister is rather recent... in my browser the "preferred" is still leicabeimeister.com... duly and automatically redirected... In the new book Ernst Leitz I. - vom Mechanicus zum Unternehmer mit Weltruf - Aufgelesen - Fotobücher ... - Prophoto Online about Ernst Leitz I, I found an add from 1906 where "Franz Bergmann, Berlin" is named as the local representative of Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar in Berlin. The new book is very enligthening for the development of Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar from a backyard manufacturer of microscopes until 1920, so it covers the not so well known times before the Leica. The "Leica Shops" are an official marketing name used by Leica Camera AG for their preferred dealers who follow their concept. The say: "A Leica Shop is an exclusive environment in which to view the entire range of Leica products. It is in this unique atmosphere that you will receive "best advice" from dedicated and experienced staff." You can find the "Leica Shops" on the Leica website. As far as I know, Meister was the first to introduce this new concept, so they might be entitled to use the brand "Leica Shop" which they don't, but not "Leica bei Meister". Of course google doesn't forget well-known names... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susi Bergmann Posted January 13, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 13, 2011 Franz Bergmann started as a mechanical apprentice in 1882 at the optical Institute of Leitz in Wetzlar Germany. After hard work he won the confidence of Ernst Leitz to be picked as the Leitz representative for Berlin and the eastern middle and northern territory in Germany. In later Years he became the senior rep of Leitz for Germany. He soon became engaged with a lot of internationally known physicians such as, Robert Koch, Rudolph Virchow, Emil v, Behring, Sauerbruch and many others. They worked together to improve an devise medical instruments and the microscope. He also acquired two companies Lenz and Altmann, which carried all products belonging in a medical or chemical lab. As his business grew he build an imposing five story office building on the corner of Schumannstrasse and Luisenstrasse 46, in Berlin, near the Charite (Universety hospital) in Berlin. He also became the rep for Leitz of Leica cameras. On the ground Flor where two large show rooms. The right side of the building contained all Leitz products and on the left was Franz Bergmann KG Laboratoriums Bedarf. In 1945 under Russian order he had to leave his office with in minutes and leave everything behind. He opened up again around the corner in the Albert Strasse. After working hard there for a while he found out that he was to be disowned the second time and moved his office to Berlin Zehlendorf in the american sektor of Berlin. My father had also opened an office in the Moenkebergstrasse in Hamburg Germany. On the 24. of April 1952 My Grand father had his 70. Jubilee with Leitz. It was held at Leitz in Wetzlar. He received the Bundes Verdienst Kreutz Von Germany's President Professor Dr, Heuss He also be came an Honorary member of the veterinary university of Hannover Germany and an honor of the criminal police in Hamburg for his help in developing of criminal scientific tools.As my grand father passed away and also my father the Leitz representation went bach to Leitz Franz Bergmann Kg still exists. The Office building was put under imminent domain by the communists because they wanted to convert it into an Ambassy or Consulate but also because to their explanation he lift the Russian sector illegally. When the wall came down I flew to Berlin to claim the return of our office building. After much trials the request was denied by the Kohl government. They decided to let the communist decision stand. They took our name out of the deed book and wrote them selves in. It never became a consulate or an Embassy. They went and sold the building to a real estate concern,for around 21000000 German Marks. We never got a penny and with that lost our inherentence. 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 13, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 13, 2011 Susi, thanks a lot to have posted this story, and be you warmly welcome to our forum; hearing of those details from the voice of a people personally involved in "normal" stories that turned dramatical in the terrible events during and after WWII is always a very intriguing way to remember to all of us how complex and dramatical was the past century for Europe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted January 13, 2011 Franz Bergmann started as a mechanical apprentice in 1882 at the optical Institute of Leitz in Wetzlar Germany. After hard work he won the confidence of Ernst Leitz to be picked as the Leitz representative for Berlin and the eastern middle and northern territory in Germany. In later Years he became the senior rep of Leitz for Germany. He soon became engaged with a lot of internationally known physicians such as, Robert Koch, Rudolph Virchow, Emil v, Behring, Sauerbruch and many others. They worked together to improve an devise medical instruments and the microscope. He also acquired two companies Lenz and Altmann, which carried all products belonging in a medical or chemical lab. As his business grew he build an imposing five story office building on the corner of Schumannstrasse and Luisenstrasse 46, in Berlin, near the Charite (Universety hospital) in Berlin. He also became the rep for Leitz of Leica cameras. On the ground Flor where two large show rooms. The right side of the building contained all Leitz products and on the left was Franz Bergmann KG Laboratoriums Bedarf. In 1945 under Russian order he had to leave his office with in minutes and leave everything behind. He opened up again around the corner in the Albert Strasse. After working hard there for a while he found out that he was to be disowned the second time and moved his office to Berlin Zehlendorf in the american sektor of Berlin. My father had also opened an office in the Moenkebergstrasse in Hamburg Germany.On the 24. of April 1952 My Grand father had his 70. Jubilee with Leitz. It was held at Leitz in Wetzlar. He received the Bundes Verdienst Kreutz Von Germany's President Professor Dr, Heuss He also be came an Honorary member of the veterinary university of Hannover Germany and an honor of the criminal police in Hamburg for his help in developing of criminal scientific tools.As my grand father passed away and also my father the Leitz representation went bach to Leitz Franz Bergmann Kg still exists. The Office building was put under imminent domain by the communists because they wanted to convert it into an Ambassy or Consulate but also because to their explanation he lift the Russian sector illegally. When the wall came down I flew to Berlin to claim the return of our office building. After much trials the request was denied by the Kohl government. They decided to let the communist decision stand. They took our name out of the deed book and wrote them selves in. It never became a consulate or an Embassy. They went and sold the building to a real estate concern,for around 21000000 German Marks. We never got a penny and with that lost our inherentence. Fascinating! I couldn't figure out, when publishing my original thread, that it could bring such interesting historical developments. Thanks to everybody, and also to the Forum which is the very unique place to allow such developments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susi Bergmann Posted January 13, 2011 Share #13 Posted January 13, 2011 Thank You for Your kind reply. It is kind of hard to write about all of this and very saddening. After my grandfathers live work was in essence disrespected by the West German Government. Not even Ownership of the office building was acknowledged any more. I still have an album of the whole building and all the showrooms and several books from Leitz, where my grand father was featured. Also met Dr Ernst Leitz junior when he came to visit my grandfather, in Berlin Frohnau, where we lived. I have a passion for Photography also I never went to school for it I so loved and was proud of the achievement of my grand father. As a memory of his humble beginning he had in his office a smal wooden stool on which he sat when he started out as an apprentice at Leitz in Wetzlar. When the wall came down it was the only thing I wanted to get out of our office building but we were not left in to look for it. Susi Bergmann 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted January 14, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 14, 2011 Thank you for the history you have given us. Have you considered putting his story into writing other than in these pages? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susi Bergmann Posted January 14, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 14, 2011 I started to write a book > My autobiography and have 130 Pages written. Just have no Idea on how to get it published or edited. I still have to write a lot as I have to also include all the historic dates and events during and after the second world war. Luckily for computers I am able to find many things I am looking for. I live now in Mexico. I left Berlin before the wall went up. Susi Bergmann Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted January 14, 2011 Share #16 Posted January 14, 2011 Susi, look at your private message, you have one. cheers. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted January 14, 2011 Share #17 Posted January 14, 2011 Susi, I have recently retired after 44 years as a diagnostic microbiologist and the names of Koch, Virchow and Behring feature highly amongst the founders of the science of bacteriology. You must be proud that your grandfather was associated with them. Having used Leitz microscopes for most of my career I wonder if I was using an instrument whose design was influenced by your grandfather. Malcolm Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susi Bergmann Posted January 15, 2011 Share #18 Posted January 15, 2011 Hello Malcom, I could presume he helped, through exchanging ideas together with Robert Koch, Emihl v. Behring, Rudolph Virchow and others dedicated Dr's in the medical and chemical field, to improve the microscope and the clinical instruments as well as the development of technical special instruments for Criminal science. He received an Honor as " pioneer for the criminal science "from the police department of the city of Hamburg Germany in 1952 at his 70 jubilee with Leitz. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susi Bergmann Posted January 15, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 15, 2011 Susi, look at your private message, you have one. cheers. Sorry I do not know how to get into my privat messages. I am unfortunatly not a computer with. Please advise, Susi Bergmann Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted January 15, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 15, 2011 Hello the text: Mann, Georg: Gross-Leica und Gross-Stereo Leica. In: 25 Jahre Leica Historica, Wetzlar 2000, S.171 ff. quotes some letters between Ernst Leitz Berlin and Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, regarding a 70x90mm camera. Regards Dirk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.