Posted in Mullers - Company Information

THE HISTORY OF MULLERS OPTOMETRISTS

South Africa’s first and oldest optometrists. J Muller and Sons, at 104 Longmarket Street, celebrates their 121^st birthday this year. The business is, after 121 years, still firmly in the hands of the Muller family, with joint MD’s third and fourth generation descendants of founder and one time jeweller, German-born Joseph Muller.

Mullers and eyes have been linked since a 22-year-old immigrant from a small Catholic village in the Black Forest of Germany set up as one of the country’s first opticians in 1890. A Muller has always controlled the business which, since its beginning, has been part of the Longmarket trading scene.

The shop in which Joseph Muller combined a flourishing jewellery and watchmaker’s business with an optician’s practice was diagonally across the road from the present premises it’s with fine black and chrome Art Decor shop front which has been a city land mark since 1920.

For a century the family has had a unique association with the British College of Optometrists. The name of Joseph Muller, 79^th entry in the original registry of what was then the British Optical Association, was followed with the admission of two of his five sons (all of whom were with him in the business), three of four optometrists grandsons and, earlier this year, by a great-grandson Peter Muller.

The family has also had a long history with the South African Optometric Association since its inception with members serving in various capacities on its committees.

Past and present are inextricably linked in the Longmarket Street building. The shop front, regarded by Art Deco aficionados and experts as the finest of the period in the City, opens on to premises which combine modern high tech and history.

The panelled lift, with its gleaming brass rail, is the oldest working lift in the city. Old fashioned brass light switches have to be polished daily, but add to the old world atmosphere. An old crank telephone, also gleaming brass, and an early examining chair, are among antique pieces remaining from Joseph Muller’s day.

Clocks from his original watchmaker’s shop are still in use. At one time it had painted on its windows a large eye, and signs which identified J Muller and Sons as opticians to the Royal Navy Hospital and; most important, as “Opticians by Appointment.” Famous names in South Africa history such as Sir Alfred Milner and Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson were among the pioneer optician Memorabilia includes this BOA Diploma signed by the first president and first secretary of the Association. Among family pictures which adorn the walls are one of his childhood home near Baden-Baden in the Black Forest and another of a beautiful little stone church which he built in the village at his own expense and, according to family records, without telling anyone.

Tools of the optometrist’s trade have been carefully preserved and accurately annoted exhibits in display cases throughout the building make it something of a mini museum.

“Today Mullers optometrists have five branches at Claremont, Constantia, Canal Walk, Tygervalley and Cape Town which still give the quality and service they have become famous for”