Zinngußwarenfabrik Franz Ruckert (Witwe) / Bayerische Bierglasmalerei Ruckert & Co.
Blasiusgasse 13. Kaiserstraße 17, Würzburg. Bavaria.
Königlich Bayerischer Hoflieferant / Purveyor to the Bavarian King's Court.
Zinngießerei, Glas- und Steinguthandlung - Pewterer, Glass and earthenware dealer.
Franz Adam Ruckert was born in Würzburg on March 23, 1829. He was the son of Martin Ruckert, (b.1784 - d.1859), whose father, Philip Theodore Ruckert, (b.1754), grandfather, Johann Georg Friedrich Ruckert, (b.1705) and great grandfather Friedrich Ruckert were all Zinngießermeisters. Franz served his apprenticeship with his father between 1844 and 1847 and became a Zinngießermeister in 1852. In 1853, he received his commercial licence and took over the running of his father's workshop at Blasiusgaße 13. This he inherited in 1859. Franz's son, Ludwig Nikolaus Ruckert was born on December 19, 1870. Franz died on 4th February 1892 and the business was transferred to his widow. In 1894, Ludwig became the owner both of Blasiusgaße 13, and owner of his father's businesses, including Zinngußwarenfabrik Franz Ruckert. He was awarded on the 7th March 1908 the status of Königlich Bayerischer Hoflieferant by King Otto. Also in 1908, Zinngußwarenfabrik Franz Ruckert was sold to Wilhelm Stecher, also of Würzburg. In 1913, the remaining company was renamed Bayerische Bierglasmalerei Ruckert & Co. In 1924 he went into partnership with Walter Hirsch, the youngest son of Wilhelm Hirsch, who was on the board of directors of the Sächsischen Glasfabrik, with others to form the Radeberger Bierglasmalerei. This company only closed down in 1977. In 1944 Ludwig retired to Zellingen/Main and subsequently died in 1964 and the company was inherited by Elizabeth Steinmitz née Mehling, of Zellingen/Main.
Purchased stein bodies from: Merkelbach & Wick Sächsischen Glasfabrik Radeberger Bierglasmalerei.
Reference: Ruckert
Ratsbierstube, owner P. Vaitl. "Gut für ein Glas Bier." Dated circa 1930. 
Touchmark on the underside of the lid of the featured stoneware stein above. This mark was issued after 1913. 
Cast mark including Bavarian Eagle, prior to 1913, on the underside of the lid of an unidentified 0.5 litre glass stein. 
Ink stamp of Ruckert & Co. on an Erstes Kulmbacher brewery stein, dated after 1913. 
Brauerei Sandler, Kulmbach. 
Cast mark showing "Königlich Bayerischer Hoflieferant", between the 7 March 1908 and 1913, as used on Brauerei Sandler, Kulmbach. above 
Cast mark, showing Protected by Law, Copyrighted or Patented, dated prior to 1913. 
Würzburger Hofbräu the only brewery in Würzburg, was founded in 1643. It is unknown what 50th anniversary event this lid is commemorating. 
Cast mark on the above Würzburger Hofbräu lid. 
Paint filled impressed mark, dated prior to 1913. 
Hauber & Reuther made by Merkelbach & Wick. Dec. No.165a 
Hauber & Reuther made by Merkelbach & Wick. Dec. No.165a 
Underside of lid on above H&R stein during production at Merkelbach & Wick from latter part of 1886 to 1897. Decoration No. 165a, 
Sachsenglas stein as seen in their Glas-musterbuch of 1890. This particular stein has no crown on the base, which suggests that it was made prior to the introduction of that mark in 1897. 
Cast mark including Bavarian Eagle, prior to 1913, as shown on the underside of the lid of the featured Sachsenglas stein above. 
Pewter lid with a copper insert on a Sachsenglas stein. The underside of this lid has the cast oval mark including Bavarian Eagle, prior to 1913, as above. 
Cast mark including Bavarian Eagle, prior to 1913. 
Impressed mark showing "Königlich Bayerischer Hoflieferant", issued 7th March 1908 and dated prior to 1913. 
Impressed mark, dated prior to 1913. 
Impressed mark showing "Deutsches Reichpatent", dated prior to 1913. 
Cast mark of Ruckert & Co. dated after 1913. 
1/2 litre "Black Handled" Marzi & Remy stein, with an illustration of Würzburg, Franz Ruckert's home town. It is fitted with a standard domed lid with an example on the underside, of the ovalised mark complete with eagle, as seen on left. Dated pre 1913. 
Moulded glass stein, almost certainly from the "Sachsenglas" factories, dated prior to 1913. 
Detail on cast pewter lid 
Stein lid on glass "Petzbräu" brewery stein of Kulmbach, brewery in operation 1849 - 1923. 
Cast mark showing "Deutsches Reichpatent" on above featured lid, dated prior to 1913, actually in this case 1907. 
Würzburger Hofbräu the only brewery in Würzburg, was founded in 1643. 
Cast mark on the underside of the lid immediately above. 
Cast mark dedicated to Café Sauter, Houston, made and imported to the USA between 1911 - 1914. "W. Stecher, früher (formerly) Ruckert" This would indicate that W. Stecher purchased Zinngießerei Franz Ruckert from the Ruckert group of companies in 1908. Obviously Stecher supplied pewter to the Ruckert company after this date, and possibly before this date as a subcontractor. 
Impressed mark, dated prior to 1913. 
Impressed mark, dated prior to 1913. FZ = Fein Zinn (Pure Pewter) 