The History of Leipziger Messe

Zur Geschichte der Leipziger Messe

Leipzig is home to one of the oldest trade fair venues in the world. The Leipziger Messe was established at the intersection of two important historical trade routes, the Via Regia and the Via Imperii.

From the inception of Leipzig's markets and fairs to the birth of sample fairs and today's trade fairs, tradition has always been both our mission and the basis for our success. As a result, the Leipziger Messe today ranks as one of the most modern and efficient exhibition centres. Our publications can give you an accurate picture of the Leipziger Messe Group of Companies.

Leipzig: Technische Messe mit Doppel-M, 1971

History: More Than 850 Years of Trade Fairs in Leipzig

Since the Middle Ages, special rights and privileges have channelled trade traffic through Leipzig. It all began with the town and market rights granted by Margrave Otto the Rich around 1165. The privileges granted by King Maximilian I in 1497 and 1507 helped propel Leipzig's ascendancy as an international trade fair venue.

At the end of the 19th century, the Leipziger Messe had laid the foundations for the modern trade fair system. New forms of trade and presentation were necessitated by the industrial production of mass goods; the traditional goods fair had outlived its usefulness. The world's first sample fair (Mustermesse) was held in Leipzig in 1895. The Leipziger Messe's double-M logo has served as a reminder of this groundbreaking innovation since 1917.

The first half of the 20th century was characterised by economic boom, economic crises and two world wars. Trade fairs in Leipzig came to a complete standstill between 1942 and 1945 due to the impact of the war.

After 1945, the Leipziger Messe emerged as an important node in East-West trade with universal fairs in spring and autumn.

Following the political upheaval of 1989/90 and German reunification, the Leipziger Messe had to reorient itself. This included the launch of trade shows, the founding of Leipziger Messe GmbH in 1991 and the construction of a new exhibition centre with an efficient congress centre, inaugurated in 1996.

Gelände der Technischen Messe um 1920, Leipziger Messe

Corporate Archive: Leipziger Messe's Treasure Trove

The company archive was established in 1917 after the founding of the "Messamt für die Mustermessen in Leipzig". It is home to documents and objects from the trade fair's history. These include rarities such as the first trade fair poster from 1908 or the first cardboard trade fair badge with a pin from 1918. The collections continue to this day.

The company archive and archive library are available for research, for example for scientific and journalistic work. Inventory information provides convenient access. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions about the company's history, its holdings or their use.

Your contact person

Dr. Frauke Gränitz
Frauke Gränitz
Archive Manager

Inventory Information

Archive and Collection Material (Selection) in the Corporate Archives

  • Files, starting from 1946
  • Photographs, starting from 1966, some older
  • Trade fair posters, starting from 1908
  • Press coverage, starting from 1945
  • Advertising material and brochures
  • Site plans
  • Trade fair badges, starting from 1918
  • Trade fair stamps, starting from 1945
  • Trade fair gold medals, starting from 1963
  • Trade fair passes
  • Picture postcards

An archive library with various collections (e.g. trade fair information books, catalogues, journals, Wer liefert was [Who supplies what?]) is attached to the corporate archive.

Holdings Outside the Company

State Archives in Leipzig

20202 Files from the Leipzig Trade Fair Office (Leipziger Messeamt) (I) :

  • Files (1917–1945, partial up to 1961)
  • Publications (1834–1945, partial up to 1968)
  • Photographs (1910–1945, partial up to 1964)
  • Posters

21000 folders from the Leipzig Trade Fair Office (II) :

  • (1945–1966)
  • Publications (1947–1986)
  • Photographs (1945–1965)
  • Posters

Archive Library

In addition to its collections, the archive library mainly consists of publications on trade fair history and publications by the publishers Leipziger Messeamt and Leipziger Messe GmbH.

Collections

  • Mess-Relationen, Unterthänigste Mess-Relation von der Leipziger Jubilate-, Oster- und Michaelismesse, 1729–1817 (C).
  • Leipziger Sammlungen von Wirthschafftlichen, Policey-, Cammer- und Finantz-Sachen, Leipzig 1744–1761.
  • Die Leipziger Mustermesse. Amtliche Zeitung des Messamtes für die Mustermessen in Leipzig, annual volumes 1917–1922.
  • Messeamtliche Auskunftsbücher, annual volumes 1921–1985.
  • Amtliche Führer durch die Leipziger Messe/Messekataloge, annual volumes starting in 1946.
  • Leipziger Messejournale, annual volumes 1947–1990.
  • Wer liefert was?, published by Leipziger Messeamt, annual volumes 1947–1990.

Information for Users

Use of the corporate archives is permitted if a justified interest can be asserted. You will find requirements for this in the user regulations.

You can download the user regulations (in German only) (PDF, 517 kB) including the user application form here.

  • Wintergartenhochhaus in Leipzig mit Doppel-M
    History in Time Lapse
    Interested in learning more about our history? This chronicle brings the events of the past centuries to life.
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