WAXIPEDIA

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS MUSEUM

Copenhagen, Denmark

(photograph taken by Paolo Peggi)

Guinness World Record attractions have always been a fascinating endeavor to me because, despite the fact that many people know WHAT the Guinness Book of World Records is, the brick-and-mortar ventures have always had a little bit of an identity crisis.

Is it traditional with historical displays lining the walls, a science center, waxworks or interactive Children's museum? Or is it just a knock off Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium (the parent company of which now also owns and runs most of the Guinness licensed attractions)? Can it be all of the above at the same time? Or can it be any single type without being the others?

That's always been the challenge. For the last 20 years or so the museums have tried (to varying success) to be a little bit of everything at once. As I write this there are Guinness World Record attractions in the United States (Hollywood, San Antonio, Gatlinburg), Canada (Niagara Falls) and Denmark (Copenhagen). Branches in Myrtle Beach, Branson, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, San Francisco, Las Vegas, London and Tokyo have all closed. 

As time goes on so does the Guinness brand. As recently as 2017 they have started renovating into "NEW" adventure based attractions where interactives are the heavy emphasis. 

But it will take time to see if this will be the answer to the question "What record breaking formula will Guinness attractions need to catch, and keep, the public's interest?" Until then enjoy the wax figures, the robots and display cases filled with the biggest, smallest, strangest and most amazing of everything (and anything) the world has to offer!

With all that said, enjoy this early 2000s tri-fold brochure for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS MUSEUM located on the bustling Strøget shopping street in picturesque Copenhagen, Denmark. 

 (a brochure from the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS MUSEUM - Copenhagen, Denmark)

 (a brochure from the WAXIPEDIA ARCHIVES for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS MUSEUM - Copenhagen, Denmark)

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to become the ultimate source of information on the subject of wax museums.  Anyone interested in donating items for preservation are invited to contact me at timothywrandall@gmail.com. Donated items will be cataloged, digitally scanned, photographed, and restored.  All donated items will be credited to their specific donors and will be preserved and made available to future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.