Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman Possibly 1939

Curator: This is "Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman," a postcard addressed to Willem Bogtman, possibly created in 1939 by Henriëtte Roland Holst-van der Schalk. The materials seem to be a combination of print, ink, and paper, primarily rendered through graphic art. Editor: Immediately, I notice the contrast between the rigid typography of the printed form and the fluid, almost frantic quality of the handwritten address. The materials feel quite humble, commonplace. Curator: Yes, it's fascinating how the official, printed part is juxtaposed with the personal, handwritten inscription. The postcard format itself was a relatively accessible medium, allowing for broader social and political communication. It was almost like a public declaration with a private addressee. Editor: For me, the postal markings and address overwrite that sense of 'official'. The handwriting on top of a printed form almost underscores the material reality – the labor of sending, receiving, reading... the materiality makes the correspondence intimate and active. And you can even make out the Haarlem address. Curator: Absolutely. It reflects the socio-political atmosphere of the time as well. Think about 1939 - the pre-war anxieties. Even something as simple as correspondence carries a heavier weight in such contexts. Postcards served as vital connection lines. Editor: Agreed, though I’d suggest it emphasizes human contact more than broader political anxieties. Paper itself can represent ideas and material vulnerability; in that year the price of such items likely changed constantly! So a simple message bears so much meaning. Curator: Precisely! It provides us with a snapshot of social interaction amidst potential instability. What do you take away from this overall? Editor: For me, it's a tactile reminder of connection. The postcard transcends its immediate purpose. It's the humbleness that really gets to me! And you? Curator: A window into the past. Highlighting everyday communications that ultimately define larger narratives.