Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1905

This is a postcard addressed to Philip Zilcken, likely dating around the turn of the 20th century, from Waalko Jans (I) Dingemans. Made from paper pulp transformed into a thin card, it’s a mundane object that speaks volumes about the era’s communication methods. Consider the industrialized processes behind its creation. The mass production of paper, the printing of the standardized layout, and the postal system itself—all products of the modern era. This postcard exemplifies the increased connectivity and the streamlining of everyday life. Notice the handwriting, a personal touch amidst this mechanization. The simple act of writing and sending such a card involved layers of labor, from the forestry workers providing the raw material to the postal workers ensuring its delivery. It's a material witness to the daily routines of a bygone era, one in which communication required physical objects and human effort. Looking at this card, we can appreciate the intricate relationship between materials, making, and the socio-economic context of its time.