F. Gruber

Friedrich (Fritz) Gruber

Residence: Zillnerstraße 15, Studio: Auerspergstraße 55, 50. Salzburg, Austria
The road known as Auerspergstraße was changed to Straße der SA** (**Sturmabteilung) during the Nazi occupation, which was 1938 - 1945.

Porzellan- und Glasmaler / Porcelain and glass decorator

Friedrich (or more commonly known as Fritz) Gruber was born in Salzburg on 22 November 1907 and died in Salzburg on 13 November 1985.

Fritz Gruber had been a long term employee of Adolf Stockhammer. When Adolph Stockhammer died in December 1936, Fritz Gruber started up a new company at Auerspergstraße 50. From 1932 he had been living at his residence at Zillnerstraße 15, 1.5 miles away, on the other side of the river Salzach. His business at Auerspergstraße 50 was known to have three employees and he had two round ovens for curing glazes. His business was listed in the Adressbuch der Keram-Industrie for 1941. It is unknown how long the business continued after this date.
Purchased stein bodies from: Villeroy & Boch - Mettlach

Reference:

Newspaper advertisement January 1937

Continuation of the trade. Dear customers, I am politely announcing that I will continue the porcelain and stained glass painting (photography) business of Mr. Adolf Stockhammer, whose long-time employee I was, at Auerspergstraße 55 (opposite Rajsiglfabrik). I will always strive to ensure full satisfaction of all revered customers in their confidential matters. I would kindly ask that the trust placed in the late Mr Stockhammer will be transferred to me. Respectfully, Fritz Gruber. ×

1 Litre, Villeroy & Boch - Mettlach #1526, blank, impressed 1929. Since Gruber's business founding date was in late 1936, this stein must have been decorated and sold between 1937 - 1938.The text above and below the tableau is the poem by Ottokar Kernstock (b. 25th July 1848 - d. 5th November 1928) on the Monk of Salzburg. He also penned the "Sei gesegnet ohne Ende" or "Blessed be endlessly", which was the Austrian National Anthem between 1928 - 1938.

The decorator, F. Gruber's signature, beneath the handle of the featured stein. Note the incorrect spelling of Auerpergstraße. Current maps show the spelling as Auerspergstraße and since the street was named after Prince Adolf Auersperg, this was certainly a decorator's error.