Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1903 - 1907

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent to Philip Zilcken by Willem Maris in the early 20th century. The postcard is a mass-produced item, but it is also a unique document of personal communication. The printed elements, like the coat of arms and the address lines, speak to the standardization of postal service. The handwriting is much more personal, carrying the nuance of individual expression. We can even note the texture of the paper, designed to accept ink without bleeding, and the printing process. Postcards like these played a crucial role in connecting people across distances, relying on systems of labor and transportation. In this sense, the postcard embodies the intersection of industrial production and personal experience. It prompts us to consider not only the message conveyed, but also the material conditions that made its transmission possible.