Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1893 - 1896

This briefkaart, or postcard, was sent by André Jolles to Jan Veth; the correspondence is written in blue ink on a pale card marked with the official stamp of the Netherlands. Jolles, born in 1874, was a complex figure, a literary theorist whose life was complicated by his ties to Nazism during World War II. This postcard offers a glimpse into the intellectual networks of the early 20th century, a world of letters and personal connections that was soon to be disrupted by war and political upheaval. Consider the emotional weight carried by such a simple object, a message sent across distances that speaks to both the intimacy of friendship and the broader cultural moment. It's a tangible piece of history that hints at the personal and political tensions of its time. It reminds us that even the most seemingly innocuous items can be charged with the complexities of identity, belief, and historical circumstance.