Schuler József

There was a stationery manufacturer long time ago, whose name stands out from the rest in Hungary.  It is unfortunate however that there isn’t much information about him in books or online. Schuler József whose name and products was determinant for generations, still well known throughout the World among the collectors. Yet in 2017 there’s hard to find written information about his life, companies and works even in Hungary. That’s a shame, therefore I’m trying to fill this gap here. Feel free to contact me if you may have any comment, correction or additional info about the topic.

Timeline

=> Era of the real Schuler József <=
1881 – “Indigópapír-gyár” (Carbon Paper Factory). They are specialized in school- and office supplies, printed matters.
1895 – “Aczél írótollgyár” (Steel Writing Pen Factory) started to operate with products like pens, quills, paperclips, thumbtack, all of them made of steel.
1913 – Schuler József died, company was continued by his successors.
=> During the WW1 <=
1914 – The company has become a supplier of military industry for a while similar to others in this era. Their products here was machine guns and harnesses.
=> A new start and between the two World Wars <=
1918 – “Schuler József Rt” (Joseph Schuler Co. Ltd.). Reorganization, starting over by his successors under a new name.
=> Era of socialism <=
1948 – “Írószergyár” or IGY (Stationery Factory). The State took control over the company as part of socialization.
=> The bitter end <=
1990 – IGY was sold out. The new owner liquidated the company shortly.

Biography

Schuler József (or Josef Schuler) was born in 1858 at Vienna(?) . He comes from a rather big family since has seven siblings. We don’t know much about his childhood or his studies. Still question how he or his family was moved to Budapest.

Early years

In his early years he started to work as a merchant assistant at Rigler József‘s stationery shop and did it supposedly till 1880.

First marriage, family and starting his own professional career

József founded his first company under the name of “Első Magyar Indigópapír Gyár” (First Hungarian Carbon-paper Factory) in 1881. In the same year he concluded a marriage contract with Schuler Gizella. József had three children from Gizella, the first-born Adolf Gusztáv Gyula (1882) got his name after his grandfather (József’s father Adolf Gustav Schuler). A twin pair followed him Jenő and Lujza (1885).

Schuler’s stationery shop at Kecskeméti utca 3., Budapest.

In this period of his life, József working as a paper-merchant in his own shop at Budapest downtown. Their main products included papers and printed forms, all kind of paper-based school, and office supplies. From his new factory there was blue and colored copying papers, light sensitive paper, paraffin oil paper and other goods.

Schuler become well known with the “Aczél írótollgyár”, second marriage

In 1895 József founded the “Aczél írótollgyár” (Steel Writing Pen Factory) therefore his company’s name changed to “Első Magyar Aczélírótoll- Tollszár és Indigómásolópapír- Gyár”. There’s an other marriage contract from 1900 between József and his second wife Schuler Ilka who became widow after her first husband Porges Ede has died. József got two children from this marriage, Antal László (1901?) and Gizella Irén (1905).

Honor and acknowledgement

From 1906 he entitled as purveyor to the court (courier supplier of papers and printed matters) and got the right to use coat of arms of Hungary on his products.

József’s life is busy in the first decade of the twentieth century. Beside he was a factory owner, he also worked as Commercial Counselor. At this time he received the knight’s cross of the order of Franz Joseph for his achievements in industrial area. From 1909 he was appointed as General Consul of San Domingo at Budapest.

Regarding to his results and loyalty to the court József got noble rank in 1910 from Franz Joseph I, King of Hungary and first emperor of  Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Schuler’s name now extended with noble name “sajóházi” and his name changed to sajóházi Schuler József. From this time all his family inherited the name and the nobility.

The sunset of József’s era

József now have five children, a famous company, factories and reputation. He also house-owner of several buildings and has shares in a few also famous Hungarian companies like FLIM (Fém Lemez Ipari Művek). A few years before WW1 in his early 50s he become ill. It seems something serious because he felt it’s time to renew his testament. He wrote in 1909 that in order to restore his full health he willing to undertake a surgery, but unfortunately in spite of all these in 1913 he passed away.

Have more insight into the world of Schuler

You can find examples of what Schuler József produced here: Schuler collection, check more details about his Companies*, take a closer look into his Factories*, see other buildings related to the family at page Property* and learn about what happened with those through the times.

* Check later, these pages still under development!