Kuppitsch
Kuppitsch was one of Vienna's longest-standing bookstores, founded in 1789 and absorbed into the Thalia chain in 2019, with its historic name retired by 2024.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Kuppitsch was a historic Viennese bookstore whose roots trace back to April 1789, when Theresia Racca received the imperial authorization to sell copper engravings and old books. Over more than two centuries it operated from several addresses in Vienna's first district, most notably Schottengasse 4, and became known for its scholarly antiquarian trade, legal literature, and broad cultural offering. The business passed through several owners and families, including Matthäus Kuppitsch, who gave the store its enduring name, and later the Schlesinger family, whose members suffered persecution during the Nazi era. After 1945 the store was restituted and continued under the Seidl and Beer families. In autumn 2019 the bookstore was sold to the German book chain Thalia. Although the Kuppitsch name was initially retained, it was removed during a facade renovation by 2024 and replaced with "Thalia." The store is therefore best understood as a defunct retail brand that has been folded into a larger chain, while its former premises continue to operate as a Thalia branch.
History
Kuppitsch was one of Vienna's longest-standing bookstores. Its origins lie in April 1789, when Theresia Racca was granted the imperial "authorization to sell copper engravings and old books." In October 1801 Racca transferred this privilege to her employee Franz Grund (1776–1816), who ran the bookstore until his death. His widow Anna Grund inherited the business and in January 1821 entered into a partnership agreement with Matthäus Kuppitsch. The bookstore was then called "Franz Grund sel We & Kuppitsch," with Matthäus Kuppitsch as the sole authorized signatory. After Anna Grund's death in 1825, he took over the firm as sole owner, and the following year he obtained the license for the antiquarian book trade. In 1844 he was appointed antiquarian to the Imperial and Royal Court Library, and he also published some works himself. Matthäus Kuppitsch died in 1849, and his widow Antonie, née Haim, ran the business until 1868, when it was taken over by Richard Schmidt. In 1876 Schmidt moved the location from Franziskanerplatz to Weihburggasse and then to Schottenring. In 1886 Arnold Schlesinger (1866–1942) joined the bookstore as an assistant. In 1902 he took it over from the then owner Paul Schlott. From that time the bookstore remained in family ownership. In 1938, with the invasion of the Nazis and the Anschluss of Austria, the bookstore was "Aryanized" by Franz Unger. Arnold and Amalie Schlesinger subsequently committed suicide. In 1950 Grete Günther, the daughter of Arnold Schlesinger, returned from exile and had the bookstore restituted to her. She died in 1954, and her daughters Zita Seidl and Monika Beer then ran the business. In 1961 a branch opened in the newly built Schottenpassage. In 1971 Kuppitsch moved from Schottenring to Schottengasse. In 1978 a record shop opened in Helferstorferstraße. In 1988 a branch opened in Palais Ferstel. In 1992 Norbert Seidl and Andreas Beer joined the management. In 1998 another branch opened on the campus of the University of Vienna (this was closed around 2020). In 2000 Andreas Beer left the management and subsequently ran an American-Austrian bookstore. In 2002 the headquarters was extensively renovated and expanded by one floor. In 2007 the owner Norbert Seidl died unexpectedly (23 September 1962 – 1 August 2007). Afterwards his siblings Martin and Elisabeth Seidl ran the company. In 2014 the bookstore celebrated its 225th anniversary. In autumn 2019 the bookstore Kuppitsch was sold to the German book chain Thalia. The name Kuppitsch remained, as initially announced, for a few years, but was removed during a facade renovation by 2024 at the latest and replaced with "Thalia."
Theresia Racca granted imperial authorization to sell copper engravings and old books.
Racca transfers the business to Franz Grund.
Anna Grund enters partnership with Matthäus Kuppitsch; store named Franz Grund sel We & Kuppitsch.
Matthäus Kuppitsch becomes sole owner after Anna Grund's death.
Kuppitsch obtains license for antiquarian book trade.
Matthäus Kuppitsch appointed antiquarian to the Imperial and Royal Court Library.
Matthäus Kuppitsch dies; widow Antonie runs business until 1868.
Richard Schmidt takes over the bookstore.
Schmidt moves location from Franziskanerplatz to Weihburggasse, then Schottenring.
Arnold Schlesinger joins as assistant.
Products and positioning
A traditional Viennese scholarly bookstore and antiquarian specialist, later a general bookstore within a major chain.
Books
General and scholarly books.
Antiquarian books
Rare and out-of-print books, a specialty under Matthäus Kuppitsch and successors.
Legal literature
A focus area with numerous publications.
DVDs, CDs, audiobooks
Media products offered in later years.
Newspapers and magazines
Daily press and periodicals.
Vinyl records
Sold at the record shop opened in 1978.
Controversies
Aryanization and suicide of Schlesinger family
Sources4 sources
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