Neuhöfer & Sohn (fl. 1858-1940), Vienna.

Der Civil-Techniker, Wien 20. Dezember 1888 [ANNO]
Der Civil-Techniker, Wien 20. Dezember 1888 [ANNO]
Österreichischen Zeitschrift für Vermessungswesen, Wien 16. Dezember 1904, p.390 [ANNO].
Österreichischen Zeitschrift für Vermessungswesen, Wien 16. Dezember 1904, p.390 [ANNO].
Neuhöfer's beam compass with pole weight. Der Bautechniker 30. September 1898, p.810. [ANNO]
Neuhöfer's beam compass with pole weight. Der Bautechniker 30. September 1898, p.810. [ANNO]

In 1853, Josef Neuhöfer (1826-1889), who had previously served as managing director, became a partner at Carl Gross, Kohlmarkt 8 in Vienna's city centre. Subsequently, the company was renamed the Optisches Institut Carl Gross & Comp., and an advertisement in 1860 states that Neuhöfer had succeeded Carl Gross [1]. In 1873, Neuhöfer was bestowed with the honorary title of Kaiserlich-Königlicher Hoflieferant (Purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Court). In 1881, Carl Neuhöfer (1852-1937), son of the company's founder, was made a partner and the company was renamed Neuhöfer & Sohn. At this time, the company began manufacturing surveying, mining and forestry instruments. In 1925, Carl Neuhöfer left the company, which was incorporated and renamed Neuhöfer & Sohn A. G. für geodätische Instrumente u. Feinmechanik.

In 1883 Neuhöfer introduced a new type of forestry compass, fig. 2 above. Neuhöfer secured a patent for their section-liner in 1892, fig. 3. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, Neuhöfer's entries included a variety of geodetic instruments. The top row (fig. 4 above) comprises leveling and smaller universal leveling instruments, the latter of which is in part a new, highly compact form. The middle row has a large repetition theodolite A, equipped with screw microscopes of 2-second angular accuracy for triangulations, and was used by the Austrian Triangulation and Calculation Office of the Cadastral Surveying Bureau. The C model is a lightweight aluminium theodolite designed for use in mining. The D and E models are smaller theodolites for tacheometry. The instrument at the back is a mining instrument made entirely of aluminium, which is two-thirds lighter than instruments made of brass. The bottom row comprises compass-instruments F to K, which are predominantly utilised in forestry and mining and represent a core competency of the company.

Plotting triangles

A set of plotting triangles, designed for use with a scale of 1:2880. On the underside of the case is a paper label with the old coat of arms of Vienna with the imperial double eagle (1465-1925) and text: Neuhöfer & Sohn Wien K.u.K. Hof-Optiker und Mechaniker V. Hartmanngasse 5 (fig 4.). The production date of this set can be determined from the information on the label to be between 1913 and 1919. Further examples of plotting triangles can be found at the page on Gebrüder Fromme.

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NOTES

[1] J.B. te Pas; Neuhöfer & Sohn of Vienna in SIS No.52 1997.

[2] Fremden-Blatt, 25.06.1853, p.4. [ANNO]

[3] Optisches Institut Carl Gross & Comp. is dissolved in 1859. Die Presse 1. Juli 1859. [ANNO] 

[4] In 1861 (20. Mai 1861) Neuhöfer partners with Julius Friedberger for manufacturing of mathematical and optical instruments, the company is called Neuhöfer & Friedberger and located at Stadt 240. The company is dissolved in 1862.  Ambtsblad zur Wiener Zeitung 1862. [ANNO]

[5] Neuhöfer partners with Ignaz Feiglstock on 22 March 1865. The Neuhöfer & Feiglstock optical shop is located at Kärtnerstraße 51. Wiener Zeitung 30. März 1865.  Militär Zeitung 30. September 1865. Neuhöfer & Feiglstock is dissolved in 1868. Wiener Handelsregister 17. Oktober 1868.

[6] In 1873 Neuhöfer is awarded the honorary title of kaiserlich-königlicher Hoflieferant (Purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Court).

[7] Joseph Neuhöfer awarded a Grosse Goldene Medaille in 1876. see label.

[8] The Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger has Neuhöfer's shop at Kohlmarkt 7 (same address as formerly Carl Gross & Comp.) from 1865-1880. Josef's son Carl becomes partner in the company in 1881, which is then renamed Neuhöfer & Sohn. Neue Freie Presse, 4 Juni 1881, page 9. 

[9] In 1881 Carl Neuhöfer (b. 1852) becomes partner in Neuhöfer & Sohn. Gerichtshalle 6. Juni 1881.

[10] Josef Neuhöfer passes away 11.07.1889 aged 63. Neue Freie Presse, advert, 13 Juli 1889, page 13.

[11] Carl Neuhöfer is awarded the title of Kommerzialrat in 1905(?) [needs to be confirmed]. 

[12] Between 1890 and 1900 the address given is Kohlmarkt 8. From 1913 the sole address given is Hartmanngasse 5. From 1883 to 1919 Lehmann lists the company as Hofoptiker & Mechaniker, K. K., Neuhöfer & Sohn. From 1920 the company is listed as Optiker & Mechaniker Neuhöfer & Sohn.

[13] In 1925, Carl Neuhöfer leaves the company, the company is incorporated and renamed Neuhöfer & Sohn A. G. für geodätische Instrumente u. Feinmechanik. 

The company is liquidated in 1940. Festschrift Rudolf & August Rost says liquidated in 1959.