Envelop aan Geertruid de Graaff before 1899

This is an anonymous envelope addressed to Geertruid de Graaff. The handwriting itself speaks of a time when letter-writing was an art, and personal correspondence held a weight it rarely does today. Think about the lives of women like Geertruid, situated in their homes, and the significance a piece of mail might have held. This was before instant communication; a letter was a precious, tangible connection to the outside world, and to the network of relationships that sustained social life. Consider the class implications too: literacy, leisure time to write, and the ability to afford postage were all privileges. This simple artifact serves as a portal. We are reminded of the tactile nature of communication, and of the anticipation and emotion that a handwritten letter could carry. It prompts us to reflect on how far we've come, and what we may have lost in our digital age.