Octroy by de Hoog Mog. Heeren Staaten Generaal der vereenigde Nederlanden verleend aan de Oost-Indische Compagnie. In dato 20 Maart 1602 1743

This is a printed document made by Jacobus Scheltus in 1743, using paper, ink, and a printing press. It’s an official decree relating to the Dutch East India Company. Look closely, and you’ll notice the texture of the paper, its weave and slight imperfections – all testament to its handmade origins. The ink, likely a mixture of soot and oil, sits on the surface, creating a contrast with the paper. Consider the printing process, each letter carefully typeset and pressed onto the page, one at a time. This was a laborious, skilled practice, requiring precision and expertise. This document embodies the intersection of craft, commerce, and colonialism. It highlights the labor involved not only in its production, but also the vast network of trade, exploitation, and power that the Dutch East India Company represented. The work encapsulates the political power of the printed word, and its role in shaping global economic systems. It reminds us that every object, even a seemingly simple printed page, carries within it a complex web of social, cultural, and historical significance.