Lijst met vertegenwoordigers van buitenlandse heersers op de begrafenis van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden, op 4 december 1890 1890 - 1892

This list of representatives of foreign rulers at the funeral of Willem III in 1890 is anonymously made. Although it looks like a simple document, it embodies the rise of industrial print production. Consider the paper itself – likely machine-made, uniform in texture and thickness. And the printing: done with precision, using standardized fonts, perhaps even a rotary press. Each element speaks to the industrialized world of the late 19th century, where reproducibility was becoming increasingly valued. The very act of listing names, titles, and lodging details reflects an emerging bureaucratic order, neatly categorizing individuals. The creation of the list and its distribution speaks to a culture of documentation, vital for managing complex social and political systems. So, while this may seem a mundane artifact, it offers insight into the methods of mass production that shaped the modern era. The list bridges the gap between traditional craft and industrialized society, reminding us of the social and economic forces embedded within everyday objects.