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), whom until then the managing director, became partner at Carl Gross, Kohlmarkt 8 in Vienna-center. It was then renamed Optisches Institut Carl Gross & Comp. [1]. In 1873 Neuhöfer is awarded the honorary title of kaiserlich-königlicher Hoflieferant (Purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Court). In 1881 Carl Neuhöfer, the founder's son (*1852) was made partner and the company is renamed Neuhöfer & Sohn. The company then started to make surveying, mining and forestry instruments. In 1925, Carl Neuhöfer leaves the company, the company is 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 patented their section-liner in 1892, fig. 3. At the The Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, Neuhöfer's entries included various geodetic instruments. In the bottom row (fig. 4 above) are the compass-instruments F-K, which are mostly used for forestry and mining and form a specialty of the company. The middle row has a large repetition theodolite A with screw microscopes of 2-second angular accuracy for triangulations, and is used by the Austrian Triangulation and Calculation Office of the Cadastral Surveying Bureau. C is a mining theodolite made in aluminium to reduce weight. D and E are smaller theodolites for tacheometry, and at the back is a mining  instrument made entirely of aluminium, being two-thirds lighter than instruments made of brass. The top row has leveling and smaller universal leveling instruments, the latter in part in a new, highly compact form.

Plotting triangles

Set of plotting triangles for use with scale 1:2880. On the underside of the case is a paper label with the Vienna coat of arms (double-headed eagle) with the following text: Neuhöfer & Sohn Wien K.u.K. Hof-Optiker und Mechaniker V. Hartmanngasse 5. From the information on the label (fig. 4) the production of this set can be dated to between 1913 and 1919. For other plotting triangles see 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.

Handbuch der Deutschen Aktiengesellschaften, Volume 48, Part 1: "Neuhöfer & Sohn Akt.-Ges. für geodätische Instrumente u. Feinmechanik in Liqu., Wien. Auflösung durch Treuhändler-Beschluß August 1940. Abwickler Treuhändler Leopold Tomascek, Wien."

[14] Patent 103099 1925 Neigungswage mit trommelförmiger Anzeigevorrichtung, Patent 104527 1926 Brückenwage, Patent 107765 1927 Ableseeinrichtung für Meßinstrumente, Patent 149696 1937 Bohrer zum Probenehmen aus Holz. 

[15] http://www.rechenschieber.org/Neuhoefer.pdf