Veilingbiljet 1767

This broadside, printed by Jacobus Stanhoffius in Amsterdam in 1767, advertises an auction of whaling equipment. It’s made from paper, printed with ink using a printing press – a relatively new technology at the time that allowed for the mass production of texts and images like this. The design is quite simple and functional. Notice the combination of text and a small illustration at the top, depicting a whaling scene. The various fonts and sizes of lettering are used to draw the eye and communicate different levels of information, from the grand announcement of the auction, to the details of the goods to be sold. But consider what’s being advertised here: the tools of a brutal industry, deeply tied to global trade, exploitation of natural resources, and colonial expansion. This broadside isn't just a piece of paper; it's a material connection to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By understanding the context of its making, we can see how even the simplest objects can tell complex stories about our relationship to the world.