Sample fair

The Champagne fairs held in the Middle Ages, which were of European importance at the time, also functioned according to this concept.

In addition, the founding of the German Reich in 1871 meant that important trade tariffs for cities were no longer applicable.

[3] The samples presented could now be examined and tried out in detail by interested parties and were then - as is common today - ordered and delivered.

[4] “The trade fair enables the greatest business with the least resources, in the shortest time and in the smallest space.

"With the conversion to the sample fair concept, Leipzig's city centre underwent a profound transformation from 1894 onwards.

Most of the trading and transit courtyards from the Baroque or Renaissance periods were ruthlessly demolished on a large scale.

The Städtisches Kaufhaus was the first sample fair building in the world to open in Leipzig's city centre in 1901.

View of a modern sample fair in Hall 11 at the IAA 2019
The double M as the abbreviation of the German word M uster m esse became the logo of the trade fair in Leipzig, created by Erich Gruner, here as an oversized entrance gate on the exhibition grounds (photo from 1983)
Southwest view of the Städtisches Kaufhaus in Leipzig
GDR traffic sign with trade fair logo (from 1979)