Karl Kellner's Wetzlar, Germany-based Optical Institute served as the inspiration for Ernst Leitz. Leitz trade catalogues from earlier times state that the company was founded in 1850, but by the early 20th century, Leitz publications had changed this to 1849. Early on, the company's primary offering was telescopes, but by the 1850s, it had switched to producing microscopes. When Friedrich Christian Belthle, Kellner's partner, took over the studio after the latter's death from tuberculosis at age 29 in 1855. The Optical Institute Kellner and Belthle was the new name for the business. Ernst Leitz (1843–1920), an engineer whom Belthle hired in 1865, joined him as a partner in 1866. After Belthle's passing in 1869, Leitz took over the business and changed its name to the Optical Institute of Ernst Leitz (Optischen Institut von Ernst Leitz). At the time, Leitz was only 26 years old. The Leitz firm added still projectors, movie projectors, binoculars, and other optical equipment to their line of products between 1889 and 1911. When Ernst Leitz passed away in 1920, his son Ernst Leitz II (1870–1956) took over as the company's sole owner. Rare Collectible Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar PRADO German Projector comes with matching Case.
Dimensions: 460 x 140 x 270H mm
Please contact Anthony on 0412495436
Or Email at wakimantiques@hotmail.com
10 Nicholson St, Coburg VIC 3058
Trading Hours: 10AM-6PM (Mon-Sun)