By Oliver Ohmann
In Berlin, Rolf Lippke is the last of his guild. The 60-year-old is an umbrella maker by trade – in the fifth generation.
“There are probably a dozen colleagues across Germany. We were axed as an apprenticeship around 30 years ago.” Rolf Lippke is standing in his workshop at Kieler Strasse 6 in Steglitz, explaining his machines.
The umbrella shop at Kieler Strasse 6 in Berlin-Steglitz Photo: Ufuk Ucta
“Some of them are 100 years old and you can’t build umbrellas without them.” There are special milling machines and drills, plus pliers, scissors and much more that you need to build an umbrella in up to three working hours or to repair it professionally.
“My family started 140 years ago and we are probably the only craft that hopes for rain every day.” Lippke laughs and shows some of the gems from his collection.
“You have to invest 270 euros for this Italian. A masterpiece from the manufacture of Francesco Maglia. Unlike the cheap umbrellas from China, it lasts a lifetime and there are spare parts for repairs. The material is fine tie silk, the best woods for the umbrella stick are ash, chestnut and beech. From time to time, film production companies ask if they need older models as props.”
Lippke’s great-granduncle, he was also an umbrella maker Photo: Ufuk Ucta
Anyone who suddenly has the idea of buying an umbrella from Schirm-Schirmer (Lippke took over the premises of the traditional shop in 2017) will have to be patient.
The last Berlin umbrella maker is not out of business, the order books are full.
A row of unfinished umbrellas on the wall Photo: Ufuk Ucta
Lippke: “But I’ll be in my old homeland, in Saxony, where the Spree rises, until January 9th.”
He still has a tip for all umbrella users: “Always let it dry properly, then it will work longer.”