Oude Langendijk 7

This building on the Oude Langendijk was named the Comanscolff (mechant's club). The original sign of the crossed clubs (kolven) is still prominent on the outer wall facing the gracht. The house was used as the guild house for the St. Nikolaas Gilde, in that sense a club. It was also used as a restaurant or hotel at other times.

By 1660, the Comanscolf was being run by Aldert Hodenpijl, who was buried out of there on June 29, 1681 (DTB inv 43, fol 93). Later, it was owned by his son Crijn.

The second volume of Alle de Brieven has a biographical note about Hodenpijl that includes this passage (p. 455):

In all probability the declarations of the eight men in August 1677, concerning the number of living beings in a drop of water (see letter Oct. 5th 1677), were preceded by demonstrations at the Comanscolff. Here Leeuwenhoeck could demonstrate what he thought fit and thus prevent an excess of interest at his house. Evidently the accommodating host [Hodenpijl] was invited to sign the declaration.

The editors provide no source for their speculation. While it could have happened that way, I don't understand the motive, to "prevent an excess of interest at his house," so I am reluctant to do more than note it here. Many people visited his house.

By 1677, Leeuwenhoek was still paying his dues to the guild. He probably had not worked as a merchant for at least fifteen years since he began his city job, but continued guild membership would have let him resume doing so and retained his social contacts.