The Planimetrica Collection
Jan Marten Kleman & Zoon (fl. 1781-1857), Amsterdam.
The above map shows the location of Kleman's workshop in Amsterdam in 1832. On November 29, 1792 Kleman purchased the property at Nieuwendijk 168 (1) for the sum of 8500 Guilders, making a down payment of 1000 Guilders and owing the rest. In 1806 he purchased from Pieter Christoffel Fleischer a property in the Nieuwezijds Armsteeg (2), formerly in use as a distillery, indicating a need for expansion of his workshop [6].
Jan Marten Kleman (*1758;†1845) started making mathematical, optical, physical, nautical and astronomical instruments in his workshop in the Bergstraat in Amsterdam in 1781. In 1800 he moved his firm to the Nieuwendijk, first in 'In de Blauwe Bril' and later to 'In de Groene Bril'. The firm was named J.M. Kleman & Zoon in 1808, when his son Bernard (*1781;†1820) joined the company. In the same year the firm received the predicate Koninklijk (Royal), see advert above. Kleman retired in 1830 and transferred ownership of the company to his nephew Carl Swebilius (*1808;†1857). Kleman's full biography is given in [4].
Drawing set #1 by Kleman & Zoon
The instruments in this set are made in a style that was popular in France in the first half of the 19th century. The label in the lid indicates that it was made after Kleman & Zoon received the predicate Royal ('Koninklijk') in 1808, see advertisement above.
![Catalogus der voortbrengselen van de Nationale Nijverheid te Brussel 1830 [GoogleBooks]](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=150x150:format=png/path/s18b88415449e9b8e/image/if9d051fe5b66c97a/version/1579990969/image.png)
Drawing set #2 by Kleman & Zoon
Only two large ball-head drawing compasses, a small compass and an extension attachment have survived in this set. The interesting label located underneath the tray indicates that this set was made after Kleman's successor Carel Swebilius moved the workshop to 'Buitenkant bij de Bantammerstraat 16' (Prins Hendrikkade 123) in 1845 [9]. Carel had worked for many years in Kleman's workshop. Kleman & Zoon was liquidated after the death of Swebilius in 1857 with the remaining inventory sold at auction [10].
Transversal scale by Kleman & Zoon
196x42x1.5mm, engraved on one side only. The stamp with initials AVO stands for Archief van Oorlog, established together with the Topographisch Bureau in 1814.
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NOTES / REFERENCES
[1] Samuel Emanuel Sarphati; Geschiedenis der tentoonstellingen van volksvlijt in Nederland. Google Books.
[2] Willem Anthonie Ockerse; De tweede openbare tentoonstelling der voortbrengselen van de Hollandsche Nationale Vlijt te Amsterdam in 1809. Google Books.
[3] Frederik van Leyden; Rapport aan Zijne Majesteit den Koning van Holland, door Hoogstdeszelfs Minister van Binnenlandsche Zaken, gedaan den 28 Junij 1808, betreffende de plaats gehad hebbende openbare tentoonstelling van de voortbrengselen der volksvlijt, en toewijzing der ereprijzen. Google Books.
[4] MacLean, Dr. Ir. J.; Bijdrage tot de Geschiedenis der Nederlandse Instrumentmakerijen in de periode 1781-1881. De firma's Kleman en Van Emden. Leiden 1976.
[5] ROOSEBOOM, M. 1950. Bijdrage tot de Geschiedenis der Instrumentmakerskunst in de Noorderlijke Nederlanden tot omstreeks 1840.
[6] Collectie Stadsarchief Amsterdam: negentiende-eeuwse buurtatlaskaarten Datering 1876 Inventarissen http://archief.amsterdam/archief/10043/322
[7] http://www.dwc.knaw.nl/biografie/scientific-instrument-makers/?pagetype=authorDetail&aId=PE00012317
[8] Rapport der Hoofdcommissie ter beoordeeling der voorwerpen van Nationale Nijverheid ...1825.
[9] Algemeen Handelsblad 24-12-1845, KB Delpher.
[10] Algemeen Handelsblad 08-10-1857, and Oprechte Haarlemsche Courant 10-12-1857 [KB Delpher].