Dr. A. Krantz, Rheinisches Mineralien-Kontor
founded 1833
August Krantz was born in 1808 in Neumarkt in Silesia. He studied pharmacy under a mineral collector, who sparked his interest in that subject. In 1832, he became a student of geology at the Freiberg Mining Academy in Saxony. As a collector, Krantz met the scientists who came from all over Europe to explore the ore deposits in the Freiberg neighborhood. This led to exchanges of specimens and his idea to start a business.
He opened his mineral business in Freiberg in 1833. In 1837, Krantz moved his business to Berlin. In 1850, Krantz moved to Bonn, probably in order to be close to Bonn University and its excellent Earth Sciences Department.
August Krantz died in 1872. His personal collection of approximately 14,000 minerals was bought in 1875 by G. von Rath for the University of Bonn, where it became the foundation of Bonn's Mineralogical Museum.
The firm was then managed by Krantz's son-in-law, Theodor Hoffmann, with help from the notable mineralogist, Carl Hintze.
In 1888, August Krantz's nephew, Friedrich Ludwig Robert Krantz (1859-1926) joined the business. Born in Glogau, Silesia, he had studied chemistry and pharmacology at Freiburg in Baden, and mineralogy under Carl Hintze in Breslau. He received his PhD from the University of Erlangen in 1888.
In 1891, Friedrich Krant took over management of the company from Hoffmann in 1891. It was at this time that the corporate name changed from "A. Krantz" or "Dr. A, Krantz" to "Dr. F. Krantz." Sometimes the label, "Rheinisches Mineralien-Kontor" is appended to the personal name.
The company is still in existance after 175 years. It is currently named "Dr. F. Krantz Rheinisches Mineralien-Kontor GmbH."
Wendell E. Wilson, "A. and F. Krantz," <i>Mineralogical Record
Biographical Archive</i> (2008) at www.mineralogicalrecord.com.
Corporate history is online at: http://www.krantz-online.de/en/about_us/54.html