A Móra Ferenc Múzeum Évkönyve 2016., Új folyam 3. (Szeged, 2016)
TÖRTÉNETTUDOMÁNY - Bátyai Gitta: A Fischer testvérek ékszerüzlete
Gitta Bátyai [ewelry shop of the Fischer Brothers Jewelry shop of the Fischer Brothers Gitta Bátyai Hungarian goldsmithery used to have European renown. Even though it declined later on, it became a flourishing field yet again. This fortunate turn of events was due to the work of the Fischer Brothers, who operated their renowned and magnificent shop in the downtown of Szeged. Business declined severely during the four year period of the First World War, their enterprise went bankrupt several times. The Fischer company - watchmakers, jewelers and brilliant experts - was renowned throughout Europe. They had keen sense for working with precious minerals. The brothers studied in Berlin and Vienna. They were considered to be professional and brilliant experts in Hungary. The "clock- smith” Fischer Brothers (Mór, József, Mayer] of Szeged were first entered into the register of joint companies in 1900. In their richly decorated shop located at Nr. 5 Klauzál Square and at the Neubauer House of Nr. 1 Kígyó Street they sold wall and alarm clocks made of gold and silver. They kept genuine Swiss watcher in their warehouse. They even had their own workshop for making and repairing clocks, watches and jewels. Customers were able to buy fashionable jewels and excellent watches via installment credit. In May, 1907 they relocated their clock and jewel shop to Kárász Street. For this occasion, they offered their warehouse stock at a reasonable price. In May, 1910 the Fischer Brothers opened another shop in the Gaál-Madár house (a corner house at Nr. 2 Kárász Street and Nr. 5. Klauzál Square] opposite to the Commercial Bank. At the same time, they sold out their warehouse stock at a discount price. They expanded their clock and jewel enterprise with a jewel- and watchmaking and a goldsmithing workshop at Nr. 10 Kárász Street. In 1914 the Fischer enterprise increased the number of its shops even further in 1914. Anew clock and jewel shop opened at Nr. 14 (today it’s Nr. 16] Kárász Street, next to Korzó Café. Following the used and tried method used in great towns, a stop-gap enterprise was launched at the new location. Their clock and jewel repairing warehouse - employing the most skilled craftsmen - had no equal at Délvidék. In 1927 the newspaper Délmagyarország wrote that their shop is a treasury of beautiful craftworks and silver items. The goblets of sporting associations were bought here. The Second World War taxed the company and its owners as well. The surviving brother was invited to America by chessmaster Géza Maróczi, but he chose to remain in Szeged. He died in 1965. 215
