PRINTZ Jean Charles

The family PRINTZ originated in Pfaffenthal where Nicolas PRINTZ (b. 1797) was a brasseur in maison n° 49 (rue du Pont).
His son François Nicolas PRINTZ (b. 1837) opened in 1864 an Eisenwaaren und Quincailleriegeschäft in 4 Wassergasse (currently Maison Printz, numbered 12 rue de l’eau), in the upper part of Luxembourg-city, near the grand-ducal palace.

Dem geehrten Publikum mache ich hiermit die ergebene Anzeige, daß ich am 2. Juli, Wasser Strasse Nr. 4 in Luxemburg ein Eisenwaaren und Quincailleriegeschäst eröffne. Ich empfehle hauptsächlich mein wohl assortirtes Lager in englischem Stahl, Feilen, Bildhauereisen, französische Sägen, Hobeleisen, Stechbeitel, Lochbeitel, Schlösser, so wie alle übrigen Werkzeug für Schreiner von den besten Fabriken, Bronce für Tapezierer etc.
Durch die Mäßigkeit der Preise und die Qualität meiner Waare hoffe ich das Zutrauen des Publicums zu gewinnen.

François Nicolas’ eldest son Jean Charles PRINTZ (registered at birth as Johann Carl Franz PRINTZ) was born in the Wassergasse, in 1868. He joined his father’s business and took it over around 1896.
In 1905 Jean Charles PRINTZ bought the company Joseph BODEVING, builders of safes and kitchen stoves. They had manufacturing sites in rue Neipperg and rue Mercier.
Jean Charles PRINTZ died in 1911 in Luxembourg-city (4 Wassergasse), at the age of 43. He had 3 sons, aged respectively 14, 12 and 9 at the time. His wife Margaretha PAQUÉ stepped in for a few years to keep the company going but she sold the safe and kitchen stove manufacturing business to Evrard KAUFFMANN in 1919.
The quincaillerie PRINTZ survived up to 2014 when it was taken over by the HOFFMANNS group (owners of Batiself, Bati C, Citabel and Hoffmanns Alzingen).
Jean Charles PRINTZ made 2 inventions. The 1905 invention, apparently rather widely patented, was related to his business activities (food steaming apparatus). The second invention (trouser bottom lifting device, relève-pantalon) was a rather extravagant device of doubtful commercial potential.
The third invention listed below was made by Michel LESGARDEUR. PRINTZ merely became co-proprietor of the corresponding patents.

FamilySearch database (GHKN-YF5)