Steidtmann & Roitzsch (fl. 1900-1948+) Chemnitz

Plan of Chemnitz 1902 showing the rear building at Limbacherstrasse 128 which would remain the S&R factory site until well after WW2. The rear building measures approx. 5x25 meters. [df_dk_0000524, SLUB]

An advertisement from 1902 and set #109 in the gallery below) showing the S&R early compass pattern that is remarkably similar to F.E. Hertel's compass pattern [5].

The partners

Reisszeugfabrik Steidtmann & Roitzsch was established in 1900 by Emil Arno Steidtmann (*1864;†1921) and Emil Otto Roitzsch (*1854;†1938) [1]. Both partners were former employees of Reisszeugfabrik E.O. Richter & Co. From 1898 to 1900 Steidtmann held the position of Prokurist (authorized signatory) at E.O. Richter & Co.[2]; and starting from at least 1889 Roitzsch was in Richter's employ as Mechaniker (instrument-maker) [3]. Steidtmann & Roitzsch's last known listing is in 1948 [4].

The directories Adressbuch der Fabrik- und Handelsstadt Chemnitz of 1889 to 1898 have Roitzsch's residence located on the first floor of the rear building on the Richter factory premises at Melanchthonstrasse 4. Richter moved his factory from Lutherstrasse 33 to Melanchthonstrasse 4 in 1888, which remained the site of the E.O. Richter factory until after WW2.

Successors

In the 1922 Adressbuch we find Fritz Steidtmann (likely the co-founder's son) as partner in the firm. From 1932 Paul Roitzsch is mentioned as 3rd co-partner along with Emil Otto Roitzsch and Fritz Steidtmann. Unclear if Paul is a son or other relative of Emil Otto Roitzsch. From 1939 onwards only Paul and Fritz are mentioned as co-partners. The company's last known listing is in Sachsenbuch 1948 [4].

Catalogues

Above title pages of the Steidtmann & Roitzsch 'Preisliste Nr. 1' [10] and 'Preisliste Nr. 2' [11] catalogues, both dating from 1913. One of the most characteristic features of S&R's compasses is the slotted straightening device DRGM 268118 patented in 1906 [7]. This patent is a further development on their earlier straightening device DRGM 237106 from 1904 [8]. The S&R DRGM 268118 is an answer to Richter's straightening device DRGM 208730 patented in 1903 [9].

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[1] Adressbuch Chemnitz 1901, SLUB. Birth of Arno Steidtmann recorded in Jahresbericht der Städtischen Realschule I.O. zu Chemnitz, 1875/76, p.32, his death likely occurred in 1921 as his widow Fanny is listed living at his home address in the 1922 Adressbuch Chemnitz. Birth of Emil Otto Roitzsch recorded in Chemnitz Bürgerbuch Film #008101554, image 176 [FamilySearch], his death presumably occurred in 1938 as he is last listed in the 1938 Adressbuch Chemnitz.

[2] Emil Arno Steidtmann: Adressbuch Chemnitz 1898, 1900 [SLUB].

[3] Emil Otto Roitzsch: Adressbuch Chemnitz 1889, 1898, 1900 [SLUB].

[4] Sachsenbuch, Band 3. 1948, SLUB.

[5] Blätter für Architektur und Kunsthandwerk 1902, No.12, p. 99. Google Books

[6] Blätter für Architektur und Kunsthandwerk 1906, p. 90. Google Books

[7] S&R patent DRGM 268118, Der Mechaniker 1906, p.36, Internet Archive.

[8] S&R patent DRGM 237106, Der Mechaniker 1904, p.264, Internet Archive.

[9] Richter patent DRGM 208730, Der Mechaniker 1903, p.240, Internet Archive.

[10] Steidtmann & Roitzsch Preisliste Nr. 1 [InternetArchive]

[11] Steidtmann & Roitzsch Preisliste Nr. 2 [InternetArchive]

Steidtmann & Roitzsch #109