Huwelijksaankondiging aan anoniem Possibly 1826

This is a marriage announcement written in Amsterdam on April 29, 1826. The handwritten note in Dutch announces the upcoming marriage of the author to Mejuffrouw A. de Vries. In the 19th century, marriage announcements weren't just personal news; they were carefully crafted social performances. The formal language, the elegant script, and the very act of sending such a notice spoke volumes about social standing and networks. Consider the choice to address the note to an anonymous "UEd," suggesting a wide circle of acquaintances the author felt obligated to inform. The announcement becomes less about personal connection and more about maintaining appearances and reinforcing social bonds. To truly understand this piece, one might delve into the social customs of the Netherlands during the period, researching the expectations surrounding marriage, class, and communication. This would reveal how even a simple announcement could serve as a complex reflection of societal values and structures.