Clubs als exklusive Orte der Hamburger Wirtschaftselite. Räumlich-soziale Praxen und Deutungen im 20. Jahrhundert

Abstract

In Germany, wealth is concentrated primarily in large cities. Exclusive Clubs mark the sites of activity of a rich “upper class” that serve the purpose of social communitization as well as outward representation. At the same time, they are projection surfaces for the perception and localization of wealth in the population. The present contribution analyzes the media representation of clubs as exclusive sites and focal points of the “rich” using the example of Hamburg in the 20th century. Special emphasis is placed on four organizations: the Patriotische Gesellschaft (patriotic society) as a nonprofit, charitable association; the Gesellschaft Harmonie (harmony society) as an exclusive gentleman’s club; the Überseeclub (overseas club) as an economic network; and the Norddeutsche Regattaverein (North German regatta club) as Germany’s oldest sailing club.