Pelikan moved its administration and production space to Hannover on the Podbielskistraße in the year 1906. By 1973, that facility was no longer adequate and could not be further expanded to meet the company’s needs. Production was moved to the Peine-Vöhrum plant, 24 miles east of Hannover, where it remains today. The administrative offices would linger at the Podbielskistraße facility for another 30 years, until March 17, 2003 at which time the company moved to its current office building on the Werftstrasse in Hanover. The historic former location has since become the Sheraton Hannover Pelikan Hotel where visitors can still enjoy many reminders of Pelikan’s heritage from their almost 100 year occupation of the site. The company’s impact has been so lasting, the area has become known as the Pelikan district and the hotel now sits at its center. On March 29, 2017 Pelikan had a homecoming of sorts when they returned to their former facilities with the opening of The Pelikan TintenTurm. With over 10o guest in attendance, the opening illustrated just how much of an impact the company has had over its extensive history. The TintenTurm resides in over 7000 sq ft of refurbished space that now hosts the company’s archive, a museum, and a retail outlet.
The TintenTurm has three parts to it. First up is Pelikan’s archive which is still overseen by Jürgen Dittmer who first joined Pelikan on June 24, 1948. Who better to keep an archive than someone with nearly 69 years of service to the company? The archive contains many products that highlight Pelikan’s innovation over its nearly 180 year history as well as vintage materials, rare treasures, and prototypes. The museum is set in a historic hall built by the architect Karl Siebrecht in 1913. It contains lots of thematic art nouveau carvings as well as artistically crafted tiles featuring a pelican from the sculptor Ludwig Vierthaler. The hall is further enhanced by a richly colored stained glass window which was added in 1932 by Adolf Hölzel, a pioneer of modern art. The new area will host rotating exhibitions as well as serve as an event space (perhaps Pelikan Hubs 2017?). The first exhibition features a display by the visual communication students of Hannover’s University of Applied Sciences and Art. It’s an analysis and reinterpretation of some of Pelikan’s historic advertising posters. A retail storefront occupies the remaining area and displays products for home, school, and work including Pelikan paints and fine writing instruments. Shoppers will have an opportunity to test products prior to purchase. If this sounds like a lot to taken in, tours around the Pelikan TintenTurm can be arranged.
Pelikanviertel Pelikanplatz 21, 30177 Hannover
Shop & Museum Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00p – 5:00p
Wednesday: 12:00p – 5:00p
Thursday: 12:00p – 5:00p
Friday: 10:00a – 2:00p
Phone: 0511 6969-216
German language video from H1, a non-profit television station produced largely by volunteers from Hannover and the surrounding areas. Even without a comprehension of the German language, we can all appreciate the depictions of what resides inside the TintenTurm.
Just a further note on Adolph Holzel, a well-recognized pioneering German modernist working in glass and other media. http://www.adolf-hoelzel.de/biografie/
In 1918, a major exhibition of his work was organized in Hannover. Fritz Beindorf, the owner of Pelikan-Werke bought all of the pieces in the exhibit. The windows were commissioned and installed for the offices in 1932. Each in the series were to be read serially yet each is an individual piece.
The timing of the commission is historically notable. In 1933, the National Socialists came to power. A major show scheduled for 1933 was aborted under the general condemnation of ‘Decadent Art’. Holzel died in 1934.
The windows were bombed out in WWII and reproduced 1n 1963.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj157/dick168/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-31%20at%209.58.55%20AM_zpsrdr3xiss.png
Here is a close-up to give more of the individual sense of the panels.
Love the look. Thanks for the close-up. I bet it looks a million times better in person.
Thanks for adding some fascinating insight into the background of Herr Holzel. Much appreciated.
Youtube link to the H1 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRJMu-Z-2QA
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