E. Kraft & Sohn (fl. 1823-1903), Vienna.

Carl Eduard Kraft was born in 1795 in Halle an der Saale, Germany. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Lützow Free Corps, where he served in combat against the French forces during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816, he relocated to Vienna and commenced an apprenticeship with Gerhard Sadtler, who was at that time regarded as one of the most prominent instrument makers in the city. In 1823, Kraft established an independent workshop at the k.u.k. Technische Militärakademie (Military Engineering Academy). The following year, he married Anna Maria Sadtler, the daughter of his former master. Kraft is particularly renowned for his construction of a functional plane table, for which he was granted a patent in 1828.

The Tafeln zur Statistik der Österreichischen Monarchie in 1842 [MDZ] states the following about Kraft's annual production:

Die landesbefugte eines ausgebreiteten Rufes genießende Werkstätte des Mechanikers Herrn Carl Eduard Kraft; sie beschäftiget 20 Gehilfen, und ihr jährliches Erzeugniß hat einen Werth von ungefähr 25.000 fl. Es besteht in 50 Stücken Meß-Apparaten für die Detail-Aufnahme, 32 Stücken Nivellir-Instrumenten, 20 Stücken Perspectiv-Linealen, 10 Stücken Pantographen, 20 Stücken Bussol-Instrumenten, 24 Stücken vollständigen Gruben-Instrumenten, 160 Stücken Compassen, 150 Stücken Wasserwagen, 150 Stůcken feinen Reißzeugen, nebst anderen Gegenständen des Maschinen- und Wagenbaues, so wie der Werkzeug-Fabrikation für die Staats-Eisenbahnen.

In 1851, Kraft served as a member of the jury at the London Great Exhibition. In recognition of his contributions, Emperor Ferdinand bestowed upon him the goldenen Verdienstkreuz (Golden Cross of Merit). His son, Friedrich Wilhelm Kraft, became a full partner in 1854. E. Kraft & Sohn provided surveying instruments for the construction of the Austrian railways, as well as instruments to Alois Negrelli von Moldelbe for the initial planning survey of the Suez Canal. Friedrich Wilhelm continued trading until his death in 1901. E. Kraft & Sohn was liquidated in 1903.  

Fig. 1. and 2. A plane table compass, signed E. Kraft & Sohn.

Fig. 3. A large vernier protractor (315mm diameter) signed E. Kraft & Sohn.

Fig. 4. This drawing set bears the signature of 'E. Kraft in Wien' on the brass transversal scale contained within the lid. There is a notable similarity to a drawing set produced by Kraft's former master, Gerhard Sadtler. The black leather-covered case features deocorative tooling. The compasses in this set are of the typical Austrian pattern. Missing is the brass protractor in the lid and several ruling pens. Dating estimated to be around 1830. 

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NOTES

[1] Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger 1890, www.digital.wienbibliothek.at/

[2] Wiener Zeitung, 29. August 1863, p.344. ANNO - AustriaN Newspapers Online.

[3] Kraft protractor and drawing set at the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

[4] Polytechnisches Journal 1903, Band 318 (S. 97–100). "Die Firma E. Kraft & Sohn, Wien...ist inzwischen in Liquidation geraten..."

[5] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1828, p. 136. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Spitlberge 13."  

[6] Hof- und Staats-Schematismus des Österreichischen Kaiserthumes 1837, p. 137. "Haus-Personale...Eduard Kraft Mechanicus und Modellen Schlosser woh. Laimgrube 189."

[7] Festschrift 100 Jahre Rudolf & August Rost 1888-1988.

[8] C. E. Kraft's obituary: Die Freie Presse 9.Januar 1880, p.4. [ANNO]

[9] Bericht über die gegenwärtige österreichische allgemeine Induftrie-Äusftellung. Beilage zum Journale des österreichischen Lloyd. 10.08.1845. No. XXXVII, p.7. [ANNO]

[10] In 1832 Kraft announced a newly constructed 'Elliptograph', Wiener Zeitung 21.01.1832 [ANNO].