Berlin's Alphabet Museum is imminent, arriving in a matter of weeks
The Berlin Letter Museum, a unique institution dedicated to the preservation of public realm signage, will close its doors on October 6th. The museum, located in a S-Bahn arch near Bellevue station, has been a treasure trove for lovers of typography and design since its inception.
Founded and directed by communications designer Barbara Dechant, the museum has been the main burden of her operations. With visitor numbers halved since the Corona pandemic and rising energy and operating costs, the museum has been unable to cover its expenses. Despite an online fundraising campaign, the museum requires more substantial financial support to continue its mission.
The museum's collection consists of approximately 3,500 letters, ranging from individual letters to complete signage. Materials in the collection range from metal and wood to porcelain, glass, and acrylic. The collection includes neon letters and signage, but the museum's focus is not solely on these items. It also documents shop signs, packaging, and door signs, offering a comprehensive look at the history and context of the items on display.
Some of the most notable items in the collection include the "Zierfische" sign from the early 1980s from a shop at the Frankfurter Tor, the names "MΓΆbelhaus Kern" or "Tagesspiegel", and many more. The oldest object in the collection is a still-functioning neon sign from 1947. The largest letters in the collection measure up to three meters.
The future of the museum's collection is uncertain. Barbara Dechant is considering what to do with the collection, and public attention is now on this issue. The new owner of the museum has not been publicly disclosed.
As the Berlin Letter Museum closes, it leaves a gap in the city's cultural landscape. Its collection serves as a testament to the evolving typography and design of public signs in Berlin and beyond, and its closure is a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
In the meantime, the team of volunteers who have been handling opening hours, transports, and manual work at the museum continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the collection is preserved and documented for future generations.
