TheWindingStem
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F.A. Lange the journeyman
In 1837, F.A. Lange embarks on a 4 year journey to further deepen his knowledge of watchmaking and hone his engineering skills, starting in Paris, then the centre of precision watchmaking- this journey is the spiritual foundation of A. Lange and Sohne.
Court clockmaker, Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes, sends his talented apprentice off with a glowing letter of recommendation and a travel log where he leaves him a personal note that reveals so much about the nature of their relationship and Gutkaes’s opinion of Lange- the note as translated to English by Lange:
“You lent me your collection: I return it to you in a more splendid exterior, it’s true, yet without being able to increase its value.
It is up to you to add to it and to give it the degree of perfection that the craft is entitled to expect of your genius. France, the country of watches, will give you many opportunities; I hope that my recommendations will bring you such facilities that you need.
Do not forget your homeland! It will welcome you with open arms when one day you return enriched with experience and worth of the craft of which you can become the ornament.
Your sincerely,
Fr. Gutkaes
Dresden, 22 August,
1837”
F.A. Lange the journeyman
Amazing thank you so much!
Thanks a million CR 👍👍
