Richard Lebram is one of the most significant figures in Berlin\u2019s jewellery history, yet he is virtually forgotten today. While names such as the Friedl\u00e4nder Brothers or WILH. M\u00dcLLER are still occasionally mentioned, Richard Lebram himself has largely fallen into obscurity, even among collectors of historical jewellery. Yet at the beginning of the 20th century, his company was one of Germany\u2019s largest jewellery and precious metals wholesalers and helped make Berlin one of Europe\u2019s most important trading centres for jewels, gold jewellery, and silverware.<\/p>\n
His prestigious commercial building at Wallstra\u00dfe 15\/15a in Berlin-Mitte was far more than just a corporate headquarters. It symbolized the economic rise of the German jewellery industry and Berlin\u2019s international reputation as a hub for luxury goods, precious metals, and high-quality jewellery.<\/p>\n
Richard Lebram was born in Berlin in 1866. After completing his schooling at the historic Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster, he initially began an apprenticeship in banking. However, he recognized early on the enormous potential of trading in gold, silver and jewellery.<\/p>\n
In 1893, he founded his own wholesale business for gold and silver goods, costume jewellery and watches on Scharrenstra\u00dfe in Berlin. At that time, Berlin was at the height of its economic growth. Within a few years, Lebram\u2019s company had developed into one of the leading jewellery wholesalers within the German Empire.<\/p>\n
Shortly after its founding, the business premises had to be expanded several times. This steady growth ultimately led to the construction of an entirely new commercial building on Wallstra\u00dfe.<\/p>\n
With the completion of the new building in 1911, one of Berlin\u2019s most modern commercial buildings was created. Designed by the architects Hoeniger & Sedelmeier, the property featured technical innovations that were far ahead of their time: Passenger and freight elevators, an in-house pneumatic tube system, central heating, and a modern telephone system made the building a showcase for Berlin\u2019s business community.<\/p>\n
To this day, the historic landmark remains one of the most impressive surviving commercial buildings from Berlin\u2019s Gr\u00fcnderzeit era and serves as a reminder of the heyday of Berlin\u2019s jewellery trade.<\/p>\n
From his company headquarters in Berlin, Richard Lebram supplied jewellers, goldsmiths, watchmakers, and specialty retailers throughout the German Empire, as well as numerous international customers.<\/p>\n
The company maintained branches in Pforzheim and Schw\u00e4bisch Gm\u00fcnd, the two most important centres of German jewellery manufacturing. Sales catalogues were published in German, English, French, and Spanish – impressive evidence of the company\u2019s international significance.<\/p>\n
Richard Lebram thus played a decisive role at the turn of the 20th century for making Berlin one of Europe\u2019s most important commercial hubs for jewellery, precious metals, and luxury goods.<\/p>\n
Richard Lebram was not only a successful businessman but also an exceptionally progressive employer.<\/p>\n
As early as the beginning of the 20th century, he set up a company cafeteria, washrooms, and changing rooms for his employees, as well as a company welfare fund – benefits that were anything but commonplace at the time.<\/p>\n
In addition, he was active in numerous professional associations in the jewellery and watch industry and was one of the co-founders of the German Watch Trade Association.<\/p>\n
In 1919, Richard Lebram and his wife, Nanny Heymann, adopted J\u00fcrgen Glaser and his sister, who from then on took the surname Lebram.<\/p>\n
After Richard Lebram\u2019s death in 1938, J\u00fcrgen Lebram continued to run the company. During the Nazi era, the company – like many other Berlin-based businesses – had to overcome significant political and economic challenges.<\/p>\n
In 1942, the company was renamed Lebram & John GmbH. After World War II, the company\u2019s headquarters were moved to Pforzheim. The company remained there until 1974, and when it closed down one of the most historic firms in the German jewellery industry finally ceased operations.<\/p>\n