a Kreka prototype with its body cover removed to change films
Toronto. We collectors of photography – images, hardware, ephemera, etc. Or fans of photographic history, seldom consider other non-photographic collectibles. At least three German camera makers; Leitz and Zeiss, who established themselves decades earlier as makers of quality microscopes, binoculars, etc., and ‘Christian Kremp Optical and Mechanical’ began as optical/mechanical houses long before the invention of photography.
For our 25th anniversary, journal editor Bob Lansdale featured some memorable articles from both our members and other collectibles societies. In issue 25-5 he included an article by Fritz Shulze. Fritz was a manager at Zeiss here in Toronto, and editor of the HMSC Bulletin. Some members of the PHSC were also members of the microscopical society formed by Fritz.
His article, titled, “Christian Kremp – Founder of Ch. Kremp Optik und Mechanik, Wetzlar, Germany” is the story of the firm and its founding people. The firm, like some other ‘optical houses’ made cameras.
Mr Shulze begins his article, “Our life is often guided by strange coincidences; shortly after the HMSC established its web-page I received an e-mail from a fellow who wanted to know more about a “Kremp-Wetzlar” microscope.
“Even though I had dealt with microscopes since the early 50’s I could not recall such a manufacturer. I therefore appealed for help to Bob Carter of the PHSC who had a Lorentzen diskette of Microscope Manufacturers and Dealers.
“Indeed, there was a Kremp listed; the company still exists [year 2000]. Bob provided the company’s web-page, so I enquired directly about their microscopes and found the present owner (a great-grandson of the founder) most receptive and helpful – a gentleman of the old school, rarely found nowadays amongst the lean and mean, restructured, and downsized corporations.
“Mr. Christian Kremp mailed me his Family and Company History which he had compiled, together with copies of catalogues, price lists and advertisements of their historical products.
“Their present scope of production encompasses a variety of precision gears and drives. Although Kremp does not have the reputation of Ernst Leitz or Carl Zeiss, or John Bausch, R&J Beck, W. Watson or other famous microscope makers, the company’s history is nevertheless an interesting example of how a gifted man finds his career then achieves success and fortune.” [the extremely rare Kreka camera is listed in McKeown’s] …
Members read all of this fine illustrated article in the issue 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above or at right to renew or join. Address any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.
