A method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of nickel and manganese by first-derivative spectrophotometry based on their reactions with 2-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)phenol (PMAP) Schiff base. The method allows the determination of Ni and Mn in the concentration range 0.3–3.0 μg ml−1in mixtures with their ten-fold concentration ratio. The method has been applied for Ni and Mn determination in bronzes. To optimize the experimental conditions for spectrophotometric determination of Mn with PMAP stability constants at different pH values have been determined. A critical evaluation of the proposed method was performed by statistical analysis of the experimental data.