{"id":5083,"date":"2021-09-08T09:47:12","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T09:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boehler.dev-root.de\/?page_id=5083"},"modified":"2026-01-27T17:17:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T17:17:02","slug":"detailed-information-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/boehler-art.com\/en\/detailed-information-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Company history"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Company History<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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from 1880 until today\u00a0 – Passion for Art<\/h3>

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EUROPEAN SCULPTURE AND WORKS OF ART FROM THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES UP TO THE 18 TH CENTURY<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Since its foundation in 1880, the name Julius B\u00f6hler has stood for works of art of the highest quality, testified by its appointment as purveyor to the \u2018Royal-Prussian` and `Royal Bavarian` courts. While the circle of collectors has meanwhile expanded and become international, our service with regard to quality and provenance remains unaltered. Thanks to the long family tradition, Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler has close contact to major international museum and private collections.
Discovering the exceptional through our profound expertise is both a responsibility and a pleasure for us as art dealers and has contributed into making the gallery an international leader in its specialist fields.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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1860 until today<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1860<\/div><\/div>
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BIRTH OF JULIUS B\u00d6HLER \u2013 SCHMALENBERG IN THE BLACK FOREST<\/div>
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Julius B\u00f6hler is the eighth child born into a craftsman\u2019s family in the small village of Schmalenberg.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1880<\/div><\/div>
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FIRST SHOP \u2013 FROM MUNICH CITY CENTRE TO ACROSS THE GLOBE<\/div>
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The image is a much darkened depiction of Emmaus on copper. On the reverse is an inscription that identifies this picture as the first work of antique art purchased by Julius B\u00f6hler in 1880. A short time later the young art dealer opens his first shop in the centre of Munich, initially in Zweigstrasse, then in Sophienstrasse. He specialises in painting, sculpture and the decorative arts.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1883 \/ 1887<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS WILHELM AND OTTO ALFONS \u2013 MARRIAGE & FAMILY<\/div>
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Julius B\u00f6hler marries Maria Loibl in 1883. Their sons, Julius Wilhelm and Otto Alfons, are born in 1883 and 1887 respectively.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1895<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER BECOMES ANTIQUES DEALER TO THE COURT<\/div>
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In 1895, Emperor Wilhelm II grants the successful art dealer the title \u2018Imperial Prussian Antiques Dealer to the Court\u2019.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1902 - 1904<\/div><\/div>
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\u2018PALAIS B\u00d6HLER\u2019 IN THE CENTRE OF MUNICH - A TOP ADDRESS<\/div>
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In 1902\u20131904 the \u2018Palais B\u00f6hler\u2019 opens in a prime location in the centre of Munich at Briennerstrasse 25. The architect is the renowned Gabriel von Seidl.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1905<\/div><\/div>
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ROYAL\u2013BAVARIAN ANTIQUES DEALER TO THE COURT \u2013 PRINCE REGENT LUITPOLD HONOURS JULIUS B\u00d6HLER<\/div>
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In 1905, Prince Regent Luitpold grants the art dealer the title \u2018Royal-Bavarian Antiques Dealer to the Court\u2019 in recognition of his services.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1906<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER JUNIOR \u2013 THE FIRST GENERATION CHANGE<\/div>
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In 1906, the first generation change is marked by appointing Julius Wilhelm a partner in the company. In 1907, the latter\u2019s son, also called Julius Wilhelm, is born.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1920<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER EXPANDS INTO SWITZERLAND - B\u00d6HLER & STEINMEIER EXPLORE NEW OPENINGS<\/div>
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Together with Fritz Steinmeyer, Julius Wilhelm B\u00f6hler founds the art business B\u00f6hler & Steinmeyer in Lucerne in 1920.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1923 - 1934<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER IN THE USA \u2013 START OF NEW BUSINESS RELATIONS<\/div>
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Julius Wilhelm B\u00f6hler and Fritz Steinmeyer visit the USA as early as in 1913 to establish a personal contact to American collectors. In the early 1920s they meet the American circus magnate and art collector John Ringling with whom a close friendship evolves. From 1928 until 1932 the Ritz Carlton Hotel is the business address of the Boehler & Steinmeyer company in New York.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1928<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS HARRY B\u00d6HLER \u2013 JULIUS B\u00d6HLER KG HOLDS ITS FIRST AUCTIONS<\/div>
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In 1928 Julius Harry B\u00f6hler enters the company at the age of 21. In 1928 B\u00f6hler & Steinmeyer found a subsidiary in Berlin, Julius B\u00f6hler KG. After the Great Depression in 1929 business prospects in the art trade deteriorated. The company management consequently decided to expand the business portfolio to include auctions.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1933 - 1945<\/div><\/div>
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THE ART TRADE IN THE NAZI ERA - A THOROUGH EXAMINATION<\/div>
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Four successful auctions were held between 1936 and 1938; these included amongst others the sale of the estate of Margarethe Oppenheim and a selection of works from the collections of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (Berlin State Museums). Not least of all due to the controversial Oppenheim auction, but also because of business activities in general in the Nazi era, a transparent examination of the company\u2019s history is a matter very close to Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler\u2019s heart. In 1995 he handed the art trading company\u2019s stock ledgers to the Bayerisches Wirtschaftsarchiv (Bavarian Archives of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce); in 2014 the company\u2019s photo archive was given to the Zentralinstitut f\u00fcr Kunstgeschichte.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1945<\/div><\/div>
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FORTUNE FROM MISFORTUNE - A NEW BEGINNING GENERATES NEW IMPULSES<\/div>
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The Palais B\u00f6hler is only slightly damaged during the war and remains the art dealer\u2019s headquarters. In 1945, Julius B\u00f6hler starts into future.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1953<\/div><\/div>
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RELAUNCH WITH MORE CONTEMPORARY ART - RE-EMERGENCE<\/div>
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In 1953, Dr. Gustav Julius B\u00f6hler \u2013 with whom company history is written by another new generation \u2013 opens \u2018ophir\u2019, a gallery for more contemporary art. It is also based in the company\u2019s main building in Briennerstrasse.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1956<\/div><\/div>
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NEW FORUMS FOR THE ART TRADE - FIRST GERMAN ART AND ANTIQUES FAIR<\/div>
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In 1956, Julius Gustav B\u00f6hler founds the \u2018Deutsche Kunst- und Antiquit\u00e4tenmesse\u2019 together with Otto Bernheimer in Munich. The fair is to become one of the most important events in the art market in Germany.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1958<\/div><\/div>
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BACK TO OLD MASTERS AND WORKS OF ART - MUNICH CELEBRATES ITS 800TH ANNIVERSARY WITH WORKS BY OLD MASTERS<\/div>
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In 1958 the exhibition \u2018Masterpieces of Fine Art\u2019, held to mark the 800th anniversary of the City of Munich, attracts considerable attention. This is followed by successful presentations such as \u2018Exquisite Textiles\u2019 (1961) and \u2018Old Master Drawings\u2019 (1961 and 1967) in the years to come.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1991<\/div><\/div>
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DILIGENCE AND VISION - A CHANGE OF GENERATIONS<\/div>
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The next generation is represented by Gustl B\u00f6hler\u2019s nephew, Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler, who joins the Munich art dealer\u2019s in 1991. Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler built his career on a solid foundation. Following an apprenticeship as a cabinet-maker, he was head of the Department for European Works of Art\/Sculpture at the auctioneers\u2019 Sotheby\u2019s in New York from 1986 to 1991.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1993<\/div><\/div>
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COSMOPOLITAN JULIUS B\u00d6HLER - WITH A CLEARER FOCUS ON THE WORLD MARKET<\/div>
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In 1993, the Kunsthandlung Julius B\u00f6hler participates at the most successful international art fair, TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) in Maastricht, for the first time.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1995<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER - FLORIAN EITLE - B\u00d6HLER - TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY COMPLEMENT TRADITIONAL VALUES<\/div>
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In 1995 Florian Eitle-B\u00f6hler assumes sole responsibility for the traditional art dealer\u2019s in the fifth generation. The focus now lies on sculpture and works of art from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Early Baroque period. The new director also places particular value on the scholarly reappraisal of the company\u2019s history.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

1995<\/div><\/div>
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JULIUS B\u00d6HLER ESTABLISHES A NEW BASIS - COMMITTED BY TRADITION TO OUR OWN HISTORY<\/div>
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In 1995 the art dealer\u2019s stock ledgers from 1880 to 1976 and correspondence from 1931 to 1967, as well as the stock ledgers and correspondence from the subsidiary in Lucerne, are handed over to the Bayerisches Wirtschaftsarchiv (Bavarian Business Archive) for research purposes.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2004<\/div><\/div>
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DEDICATED AND INNOVATIVE - UPHOLDING VALUES<\/div>
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Since 2005 the company\u2019s exhibition rooms have been located outside Munich on Lake Starnberg. The art dealer operates worldwide with private and public collections, organises sales exhibitions in New York in cooperation with Blumka Gallery, New York, based on the motto \u2018Collecting Treasures of the Past\u2019 and participates at major international trade fairs, including TEFAF in Maastricht and New York and Munich Highlights.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2014<\/div><\/div>
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FOR RESEARCH - THE \u2018ZENTRALINSTITUT F\u00dcR KUNSTGESCHICHTE\u2019 IS GIVEN THE GALLERY\u2019S PHOTO ARCHIVE<\/div>
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In 2014, ca. 11.500 photos and file cards of the company\u00b4s archive were given to The Zentralinstitut f\u00fcr Kunstgeschichte (Central Institute for Art History) in Munich. They include documentation of both the title of the art works traded and precise details of their dimensions, techniques and materials, the prices achieved and paid, provenances, related literature and expertises. This has led to the identification of numerous works of art about which detailed information was lacking. The art dealer actively supports international provenance research and advocates complete transparency especially with regard to business files from 1933 up until 1945.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2016<\/div><\/div>
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HISTORY IS RETOLD AT EACH ENCOUNTER - AT THE TEFAF IN NEW YORK<\/div>
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In October 2016 the Kunsthandlung Julius B\u00f6hler exhibits at the premiere of TEFAF New York Fall together with Kunstkammer Georg Laue, Munich and Blumka Gallery, New York its outstanding sculptures and objets d\u2019art from the Middle Ages up to the Early Modern Era. The period rooms on the upper floors of the building provide a very special setting for the stand designed by Tom Postma Design.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2020<\/div><\/div>
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140 YEARS JULIUS B\u00d6HLER<\/div>
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2020 was a very special year: the Kunsthandlung Julius B\u00f6hler celebrated its 140th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary. Founded by Julius B\u00f6hler in Munich in 1880, the gallery has been trading in treasures from the past in ongoing continuity ever since, making it one of the oldest, family-owned art dealers in Europe.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2022<\/div><\/div>
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THE BOOK: COLLECTING TREASURES OF THE PAST<\/div>
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Two years of Corona greatly restricted the activities of the Kunsthandlung Julius B\u00f6hler and limited contacts with collectors and art lovers to a minimum. A magnificent catalogue that presents 28 of our most beautiful and important objects marks a new start. \u2018Collecting Treasures of the Past\u2019 was published on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of TEFAF that Julius B\u00f6hler celebrated in Maastricht in June 2022 as one of the original art dealers from the very outset.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2024<\/div><\/div>
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A masterwork at TEFAF: The B\u00f6hler-Madonna<\/div>
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After thirty-two successful fine art fairs in Maastricht we will exhibit in 2024 for the last time and say good bye with an exceptional object: the so-called \u2018B\u00f6hler Madonna\u2019. It is a figure of the Virgin and Child created c. in 1313 by Giovanni Pisano and restored around 1490 by Benedetto da Maiano. This extraordinarily rare and precious figure has been in the family\u2019s ownership for 120 years. A very comprehensive study on this work by Professor Max Seidel has been published to coincide with TEFAF (as an eBook on our homepage or as a print version).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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