Edm. v. König - Heidelberg Steinkrug

Villeroy & Boch - mold 3

From the collection of Jorge O. Soriano

“Edm. v. König - Heidelberg” — (Edmund von König)

Absolutely beautiful design!! Coat of Arms hand painted???

See Description Section for rough translation

See translation in description section

1/2L & calibration marks incised

Beautiful original lid; darker patina than picture depicts

Very cool thumblift frontside.

Fancy thumblift design backside. It’s a curious design???

Very well taken care of — everything tight and clean

No mark underneath lid

See close up

RED INK STAMP "Edm. v. Konig - Heidelberg” and number “3” incised???

Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg - Schloss vor seiner Zerstörung 1620— (Free public domain).

NOTE: This coat of arms is near identical to one painted on stein. “Reichsadler” (official design 1888–1918) of the (Second) German Empire | Small or 'lesser' coat of arms of the German Empire

Wick Werke capacity and calibration marks. The “2”’s are very similar. Overall very similar but fading makes it hard to confirm a match.

Edm. v. König or Edmund von Koenig - Heidelberg

Original Owner’s Description:
“c. 1920 to 1930. I believe this stein was made by Mettlach. Edm. v. Konig purchased from Mettlach and placed their own stamp on”.

ChatGPT: “The business became known among collectors and enthusiasts of German beer steins. It is common to find steins with impressed or ink marks such as “Edm. von König / Musterschutz / Heidelberg”, or “Edm. v. König”. These marks indicate that the firm not only retailed such items but sometimes served as a quality mark or trusted brand for steins purchased from well established manufacturers like Villeroy & Boch (Mettlach) and Marzi & Remy.”

IN OTHER WORDS, THIS IS VERY LIKELY A METTLACH OR MARZI REMY STEIN, and MOST LIKELY METTLACH AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER STATED IN DESCRIBING IT. BUT, FURTHER RESEARCH IS NEEDED.

UPDATE: It’s also possible the stein in a Wick Werke based on a similar 1/2L capacity mark? The number “2” look identical whereas the “2” for Mettlach and Marzi Remy look very different, as does the 1/2L and calibration marks overall.

Conclusion: The maker is likely a Mettlach, possibly Marzi Remy, but also a good possibility it’s a Wick Werke. Ha ha. The Truth is Out There???

I always welcome and appreciate your feedback and input. Thank you!

ChatGPT: “Items bearing the “Edm. v. König” mark are prized by collectors of German breweriana. Auction and dealer sites demonstrate that steins, postcards, and other memorabilia related to the brand are still actively traded. Descriptions frequently emphasize the craftsmanship, condition, and historical importance of these items.“

The following mark is on the base in red ink stamp:
“Edm. v. König - Heidelberg” & number “3" is incised. ?

DESIGN: I know the lion coat of arms belongs to the city of Heidelberg. The yellow background with red stripe coat of arms I assume are the city’s colors, but that’s just a guess? And the eagle is likely Germany”s coat of arms at that time. I believe properly identifying the eagle will further help identify age of stein. I’ll have to circle back to research this eagle as well.

UPDATE: I learned that the eagle coat of arms painted on the stein is identical or near identical to the (Second) German Empire coat of arms or “Reichsadler”. See next to last image for official design (1888-1918). It’s also called “ Small or 'lesser' coat of arms.

So, is it possible or likely that this stein was made during this period (1888-1918)? Edm. v. König was established in 1882-3.

LID: And who is the portrait of on the lid? Maybe just a proud and wise German elder? Perhaps an elderly Wilhelm II, Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert -(1859 – 1941); the last German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918, which marked the end of the German Empire as well as the Hohenzollern dynasty's 300-year rule of Prussia. Whoever it is, he has a nice beard!

Also on the lid, the words: ~Gut Heil~. What do they mean? I think here it simply means: “Good Health”. or “Be Whole” or “Be in Good Health”! [link]

??? Translation on sides of stein is a work in progress. I, of course, would appreciate a translation from a German native or fluent speaker???


References.

Edm. von König
[link]

Capacity Marks.
[link]

Heidelberg.
[link]

Wilhelm II
[link]

View the collection of Jorge O. Soriano

to the homepage

Show items by producer Villeroy & Boch