Hanns Altermann
Hanns Richard Altermann | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 8, 1891 Dresden, Germany |
| Died | September 8, 1963 (aged 72) Düsseldorf, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, editor, journalist, publisher |
| Years active | 1912–1926 (editor and publisher), later career at Henkel |
| Known for | Founder of Lichtkampf-Verlag Hanns Altermann; editor of Die Bewegung magazine |
Hanns Richard Altermann (1891–1963) was a notable German figure in bookselling, editing, journalism, and publishing.
Life
Altermann was born on 8 July 1891 in Dresden to Edwin Leopold Altermann, a railway secretary, and Mathilde Dressler. His education included primary schooling and attendance at a Reform-Realgymnasium in Dresden. He completed an apprenticeship in bookselling and gained professional experience working in bookstores located in Nuremberg, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf, where he ultimately established himself. From 1912 until 1914, he served as an editor based in Ludwigshafen.
After gaining expertise in advertising, Altermann founded his own publishing company named Lichtkampf-Verlag Hanns Altermann. His publishing activities involved cooperation with writers such as Robert Theuermeister and included the release of works featuring nude photography by Lotte Herrlich.
In 1920, he transferred his publishing business to Heilbronn, subsequently moving it to Kettwig in 1922. Throughout this period, Altermann edited various books and periodicals, contributing extensively to topics such as literature, youth movements, and educational sciences. His most significant editorial contribution was to the literary magazine Die Bewegung during 1924–1925.
Altermann stepped down from managing Lichtkampf Verlag in 1926 and later became affiliated with Henkel. In 1951, he authored and published his memoir titled Vom Handlungsreisenden zum Verkaufsdirektor (From Salesman to Sales Director).
He passed away on 8 September 1963 in Düsseldorf.
Family
In 1915, Hanns Altermann wed Elisabeth Kossakowski.
Literature
- Herrmann A. L. Degener: Degeners Wer ist’s?, Berlin 1935, p. 17
- Wilhelm Kosch et al.: Deutsches Literatur-Lexikon. Das 20. Jahrhundert, Bd. 1: Aa – Bauer, 2011, p. 1997.