H. J. Merck and Co.

H. J. Merck & Co. was one of the largest merchant banks in Hamburg, and existed from 1799 to 1983. Merck & Co. was also involved in shipping, and co-founded the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG) with Berenberg Bank.

The company was founded by Heinrich Johann Merck, a member of the noted Merck family, who became a Hamburg citizen in 1799. Family members were prominent merchants, bankers and politicians in Hamburg. The family name is currently used by the pharmaceutical companies Merck and Merck & Co. (MSD), which were founded by the Darmstadt branch of the family.