Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1887

This postcard was sent to Philip Zilcken by Adriaan Pit in 1887. It is a piece of ephemera that offers a glimpse into the social world of late 19th-century Europe. The postcard itself, with its stamps and postmarks from Paris and The Hague, speaks to the increasing interconnectedness of European cities at this time. The handwritten address and signature remind us of the personal connections that underpinned this growing network. The fact that this object is now in a museum raises questions about the changing status of such everyday items. Once a means of simple communication, it has now become a historical artifact, inviting us to consider the lives and relationships of people in the past. Historians might research postal history to better understand the cost and speed of communication, as well as delving into genealogical records to learn more about Pit, Zilcken and their social milieu. Ultimately, this postcard reminds us that even the most mundane objects can offer valuable insights into social and institutional context of the past.