Unique, large format lithography showing the Leitz factory in 1911 (size 53 x 100 cm or 21 x 40 inch - without the original frame), ex James Cornwall collection.

This picture hung in Ernst Leitz’ office in the former administration building. It shows the Optical Works Ernst Leitz in their extent and design in 1911, the very year that Oskar Barnack began working for Leitz. It is difficult to determine whether it was made after the building extension had taken place or was based on an architect’s designs. The extensive park-like grounds indicated in the picture seem foreign to a small town like Wetzlar. Carl Kellner’s first workshop was located in an old priory near Jäcksburg with 12 employees. Before 1870 it was moved to the Wöllbach Gate, an extension was built at the Kalsmunt Gate. In 1883 a new residential building and a large workshop were built, complemented in 1890 already by two further buildings. In 1891 the construction of the 20,000th microscope was celebrated. An overview dated ca. 1909 shows the addition of further large buildings. The number of employees was approaching 1000. This lithography from 1911 shows another large building in the left foreground, before the towering chimney, running at a right angle towards the rear. All this indicates that business was booming. Leitz was the purveyor of choice for microscopes and equipment for scientific work. However, the fact that this picture found a home in Ernst Leitz’ office also indicates a caesura. Perhaps its meaning was to urge moderation, to stop and fix the achievements so far symbolically in an image. Although the company was manufacturing photographic lenses, the company’s photographer Nicolaus Befort lacked the wide-angle lens to capture the wide expanse of buildings in one image. In addition, he would also have had to ascend in a hot-air balloon in order to find the perspective that the draftsman could imagine for himself.

For this items, if sold and/or shipped within the E.C. the premium is 27,37% (including VAT) plus 19% VAT on the hammer price (in total 46,37%)

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