Horten, Quelle, Hertie, Kaufhof and Karstadt – corporate names that are disappearing from German city centres. Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof is currently struggling with closure in instalments. With the creeping loss of the corporations, the distinctive lettering of the department stores’ chains is also being lost.
“FINAL SALE” tells the typographic and urban-historical stories of the letters and shows the former significance of the department stores and department stores with their architecture.
We invite you to discover the typographic department stores’ icons and to buy selected items in the exhibition: “Final Sale – from department stores’ to museum” in the Buchstabenmuseum in the Stadtbahnbögen in the Hansaviertel.

Preservation and documentation of letters
The Buchstabenmuseum is the first museum in the world to collect letterforms from public spaces and display them as part of urban history. We preserve and document three-dimensional letters and signage, and their history, as well as providing information about their origins and construction. Our collection has captured the imagination of visitors from all around the world for over 10 years. Hundreds of letters have been saved from being battered by the elements or ending up on the scrap heap. A selection of what we offer can be found under » COLLECTION

The Buchstabenmuseum has a new location!
For our new exhibition we need urgently your help.

Become a member of the club and actively support our museum.
We are always in need of help with the rescue of historic lettering, looking after our international guests or even with the classic work of the association.
Just write to us!
bindabei@buchstabenmuseum.de