Verordening om te illumineren op de verjaardag van de prinses van Oranje, 1788 Possibly 1788

This edict, printed in Amsterdam by Pieter Hendrik Dronsberg in 1788, is a product of the printing press, made with movable type, ink, and paper. These were the industrial materials of the day. The text is a proclamation, an order from the city's governors to illuminate buildings in celebration of the Princess of Orange's birthday. Note the intricate typography and layout, achieved through skilled labor and standardized processes, and how the careful layout conveys the importance of the text. These are carefully designed to convey a sense of authority and tradition. The document also speaks to social control: citizens are ordered to celebrate, or face consequences. Consider the relationship between the ruling class and the printing trade. The printer relies on the state for patronage, and the state relies on the printer to disseminate information and maintain social order. The object’s visual and material properties carry considerable social and cultural significance. Approaching this printed edict with an eye to these details helps us appreciate its historical importance and the social relations it embodies.