Obermarkt 7 (now 1) Engegasse 6, Freiberg, Saxony
Zinngeißerei, spez. Zinnsoldaten / Pewterer, speciality pewter soldiers
Between 1823 and 1828 Carl Gottfried Daniel Bruch trained as a pewterer under Carl Friedrich Pilz. After working in various places, he founded his company on the 1st August 1837 at Obermarkt 7 (now Obermarkt 1) Freiberg. He advertised on the 7th September 1837, in the "Freiberger Gemeinnützigen Nachrichten","That I have established myself as a tinsmith; I wish to make this known and respectfully ask for benevolence. Carl Bruck, residing at Rittergasse 313". He also stated that he produced dishes, lamps, candlesticks, etc. On the 5th August 1850 he purchased a shop and workshop, around the corner, at Engegasse 6. Around this time he started to produce the moulds for miniature soldiers.
Meanwhile his stepson, Gustavus Adolphus Vaeterlein, whose father had been a miner, was born on the 9th December 1839 and trained under Carl from 1854 to 1858. In 1866 Carl died and the business was run by his widow Christiane Johanne. Gustavus Adophus took over the business on the 20th November 1873. In the meantime he had spent a couple of years honing his skills in Berlin and Dresden and had also worked for the firm of Carl Woldemar Pilz. He inherited the moulds of both Carl Friedrich Pilz and Carl Bruck and also produced more of his own miniature soldier moulds.
On the 13th June 1874, Karl Richard Vaeterlein was born to Gustavus Adolphus and his wife Amalie Auguste. Karl Richard trained under his father between 1888 and 1891 and continued to work in the business until the 23rd August 1906, when he took over from his father. Amalie continued to live at Obermarkt 1, whilst Karl Richard ran his business, from Engegasse 6. The company ceased trading upon the death of Karl Richard Vaeterlein on the 14th September 1943.
Stein supplied by: Sachsenglas?
Reference: Germanium Zinnfiguren-Bleifiguren.com Freiberger Adressbücher Saxony Address books