Naamlijst van gedeputeerden present op de vergadering te Amsterdam in 1787 1787

This ‘Naamlijst van gedeputeerden’ or name list of deputies was printed in Amsterdam in 1787 by Dirk Meland Langeveld. It records attendees at a meeting, and was made through the traditional process of letterpress printing. Consider the work involved: each letter had to be individually cast in lead, composed, inked, and then pressed onto paper. This was labor-intensive, requiring a high degree of literacy and craft skill. The uniformity and density of the text emphasizes these qualities. The information shared on the name list is an assertion of power, a list of the powerful members and their patriotic societies. It’s clear that the printer was deeply aware of the social context in which he worked. In the 18th century, printed matter was crucial for circulating ideas and consolidating political power, and we might think about this broadside as a carefully crafted tool of social organization. By appreciating the material and process of its making, we gain a far richer understanding of its importance.