Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1889

This briefkaart, or postcard, was written in 1909 by Chap van Deventer, to Jan Veth. At first glance, a postcard might seem mundane, yet it embodies a critical shift in material culture. The standardization of paper sizes and postal rates turned personal communication into a mass phenomenon, connecting people across distances with unprecedented ease. Notice the printed elements: the pre-printed address lines, the Dutch coat of arms, and the word "BRIEFKAART." These details speak to the industrial processes that enabled the mass production of postcards, reflecting a shift in society towards efficiency, commerce, and connectivity. The handwriting adds a personal touch to the postcard’s otherwise standardized form. The postal stamps, applied with bureaucratic precision, document the journey of this message, and the role of postal services in managing and controlling the flow of information. This humble piece of card stock thus encapsulates the intersection of individual expression and the mechanics of mass communication.