From Bachem’s humble beginnings a publishing empire rose. Here before us stands the legacy of Johann Peter Bachem. He opened a bookshop in 1815. Four years later in 1818 he founded the J P Bachem Verlag. This Cologne-based publishing house thrived. It expanded to include a print shop.
The Bachem Verlag continued to grow even after Johann Peter’s early death. His brother Lambert took the reins. They published Catholic writings. This was a bold move given the conflict between the Catholic Church and the Prussian government. Lambert’s son Joseph later launched the Kolnische Blatter a newspaper reflecting his father’s vision. It later became the Kolnische Volkszeitung a leading Catholic newspaper in western Germany.
The Verlag’s growth was impressive. By 1902 the company occupied 2600 square meters. It published children’s literature schoolbooks and regional works. The company also demonstrated social responsibility. In 1824 they established a health insurance plan for their employees decades before it became law.
World War I tested the Bachem family. Over 30% of their employees served. The Verlag supported their families financially. They employed women for the first time in their printing house. They even published a front-line edition of their newspaper. They raised money for a mobile chapel.
The Nazi era presented significant challenges. The Bachem Verlag’s Catholic identity and resistance to Nazi collaboration led to Gestapo raids. Paper supplies were cut off. Distribution was banned. In 1943 Allied bombing completely destroyed the Bachem building. After the war the Allied forces granted them a printing license. This was because of their proven opposition to the Nazi regime. The Bachem Verlag was able to quickly rebuild and reposition itself in the market.
After the war the Bachem Verlag focused on traditional topics. Church publications ensured survival. However by the 1960s the focus shifted. Regional literature and the Cologne dialect became central. They published academic works particularly theological ones. Joseph Ratzinger the future Pope Benedict XVI published some works with them.
In 2010 the J P Bachem Verlag became independent. Claus Bachem continues to run the family business. Today they focus on travel and leisure literature. They also publish children’s books ebooks audiobooks apps and GPS data. The Bachem Verlag’s story is one of resilience innovation and enduring family commitment. It’s a testament to the power of books and the enduring spirit of Cologne itself.