KERN (1819–1991) - Lot 101

Lot 101
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200 - 300 EUR
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KERN (1819–1991) - Lot 101
KERN (1819–1991) Architect's or mathematician's kit consisting of compasses (including one with an interchangeable point), styluses (including one with a bone handle), various accessories (points, ink point, pencil point, extensions, …), a ruler, two protractors (one large brass one and one made of horn), and a brass set square The entire set is housed in a leather box lined with purple velvet The top of the box bears the inscription “I.Kern in AARAU, Switzerland,” and the set square bears the inscription “Fernand TAVEL” Switzerland—circa 1870–1890 3.5 x 27 x 15 cm Note: Jakob KERN (1790–1867) grew up in Aarau. Trained by Johann Meyer and Ludwig Esser, he became a journeyman in the manufacture of compasses and instruments. In 1819, he founded the Kern company, starting with a small mechanical workshop. In 1835, the Swiss government began ordering instruments (compasses, theodolites, etc.) from Kern to equip the army. At the national exhibitions, followed by the World’s Fairs of 1848 and 1851, Kern won several awards, which enabled him to expand the company and build factories. Starting in 1857, Jakob’s sons—Adolf, Emil, and Heinrich—joined the company, while he himself retired in 1863. The company’s signature changed from “Kern in Aarau” to “I. Kern in Aarau, Switzerland” around 1870. In 1885, the company became “Kern & Cie” with the arrival of Jakob’s grandchildren. The signature stamped on the equipment became “Kern & Cie Aarau Switzerland.” After various changes, the company continued to manufacture scientific and optical instruments until it was acquired in 1988 by Leitz, and later by Leica. The company closed its doors in 1991. Note 2: Fernand TAVEL (1857–1923) was an engineer from Lausanne starting in 1880, specializing in large-scale construction projects. In 1884, he joined the Eiffel workshops as an employee. Until 1889, he participated in the company’s major construction projects, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Nice Observatory. Starting in 1889, he became director of the Usines Françaises in Cannes for the Compagnie Genevoise de l’Industrie et du Gaz. In 1908, he returned to Switzerland, where he became general secretary for the same company. In 1908, he retired to Lausanne, where he devoted himself to philanthropy and scientific work until his death in 1923. The compass set shown here appears to be Fernand Tavel’s personal set and dates from his time working with the Eiffel Workshops.
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