Antique, Keuffel & Esser Co 5703 Engineer Hand Level Transit with Leather Case.

Antique, Keuffel & Esser Co 5703 Engineer Hand Level Transit with Leather Case.

USA 1924-1940

Size: 12.5 cm L x 1 cm W x 1 cm H

Keuffel and Esser
1867-1982

Wilhelm Johann Diedrich Keuffel and Herman Esser were partners in the firm of Keuffel & Esser (K&E) which was founded in July 1867 at 79 Nassau St. Manhattan. They were two German immigrants, who were importers and jobbers of drawing materials and mathematical and surveying instruments. Keuffel (1838-1908), born in Walbeck (Rhineland, Germany) and was employed in the hardware business in Germany and Birmingham, England, prior to his immigration to Hoboken, NJ, in 1866. The next year he joined with Herman Esser (1845-1908) who was originally from Wuppertal-Elbertfeld. Wilhelm J. D. Keuffel died in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1908. Herman Esser retired from Keuffel & Esser Co. in 1902. He was back in Bad Godesberg (near Bonn, Rhine River, Germany) in April of 1902 and died there in April 1908.