Brief aan August Allebé 1868

This is a letter to August Allebé, penned by Petrus Franciscus Greive sometime before 1872. Its materials are simple: paper, ink, and the handwriting of a friend or colleague. The letter’s content is personal, discussing delayed responses and current affairs. But consider the physical object itself. The marks on the page are a direct trace of Greive’s hand, bearing witness to the time and care he invested in this act of communication. Before the advent of telephones or email, such letters were vital links in social and professional networks. Moreover, handwriting was itself a skill, taught and honed through years of practice. The legibility and elegance of Greive’s script speak to a certain level of education and social standing. So, while this letter may seem like a humble artifact, it provides insight into the material conditions of communication, labor, and social connection in the 19th century. By appreciating these aspects, we enrich our experience of this ordinary yet evocative object.