6/14 - Floodlit bar table "Zeche Graf Bismarck"
The end of the line, but never the end of the heart.
⚒️ 14 floodlights. 14 coal mines. 14 stories.
This standing table was built from an original floodlight from the Parkstadion – made of real steel that carried light over the home of FC Schalke 04 for 28 years.
Carefully cleaned and restored , yet it still bears its marks. For every scratch and every rust spot tells of great matches, of goals, tears, and triumphs. Of what makes Schalke what it is.
The frame is modeled after the old pithead towers of the Gelsenkirchen coal mines. A symbol of Schalke's origins – from the Ruhr region, from work, from community.
Schalke was built on coal. And that spirit lives on:
Work hard. Stick together. Never give up.
Therefore, each floodlight bears the name of a coal mine that was once in operation here.
6 of 14 - Graf Bismarck Colliery
This floodlight bears the name of the Graf Bismarck coal mine – one of the largest and most impressive mines in Gelsenkirchen, located directly on the Rhine-Herne Canal . Founded in 1872 and named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the complex developed into a sprawling network of mines with a total of seven shafts .
For many decades, Graf Bismarck was a symbol of industrial power, employment, and structure in the Ruhr region. The site in Gelsenkirchen-Schalke-Nord combined mining tradition with technological innovation – including the early electrification of its conveyor systems. Mining operations ceased in 1966 , but the remaining shafts continued to operate until 1993 as part of the Consolidation colliery.
Today, little remains of the old mining operations – the area has been completely transformed. Where pithead towers once reached for the sky, the Graf Bismarck marina now lies – with modern residential buildings, offices, and leisure facilities right on the water. But the name lives on – as a tribute to a time when coal defined life.
➡️ 50% of the proceeds go directly to “Schalke hilft!” , the non-profit foundation of FC Schalke 04.
➡️ The other 50% goes towards the costly restoration and preservation of such historical artifacts.
Issuing a donation receipt is not possible as this is an auction. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Schalke hilft! (Schalke Helps!) after the auction. The floodlights show signs of wear due to their age.
04.08.1973 – Opening of the Parkstadion
The Parkstadion was officially inaugurated with a friendly match against Feyenoord Rotterdam. This modern stadium had a capacity of over 70,000 spectators and became the new home of FC Schalke 04.
02.05.1984 - DFB Cup semi-final against FC Bayern Munich
In a memorable cup match in front of 70,600 spectators at a sold-out Parkstadion, Schalke and FC Bayern Munich drew 6-6 after extra time. Under the floodlights, Olaf Thon, then 18, became the hero of the evening with three goals.
May 11, 1996 – 2-1 against Bayern & return to Europe
With a 2-1 home victory over FC Bayern Munich on Matchday 33 of the 1995/96 season, Schalke returned to European competition for the first time in 19 years. For many fans, the match in the sold-out Parkstadion was an emotional release and a symbol of the club's sporting upswing. Qualification for the UEFA Cup laid the foundation for the most successful period in the club's history in the years to come.
07.05.1997 UEFA Cup Final 1997: First leg against Inter Milan
Schalke hosted Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Cup final at the Parkstadion and won 1-0. This result laid the foundation for the club's eventual overall victory and first international title.
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May 19, 2001 - Last Bundesliga game at the Parkstadion
On the final matchday of the 2000/2001 season, Schalke defeated SpVgg Unterhaching 5-3. For a few minutes, Schalke fancied themselves the German champions before a late goal from FC Bayern Munich dashed their hopes. This dramatic day coined the term "Champion of Hearts."
The perfect one-two to the floodlight: our bar stool with a seat height of 85 cm.
