Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is an envelope, created at an unknown date by Jonkheer Alexander Frederik de Savornin Lohman. But it is more than a mundane item; it’s a time capsule hinting at the intricate social structures of the Netherlands. The Dutch monarchy's crest on the upper left immediately signals a context steeped in tradition and hierarchy. Lohman, a ‘Jonkheer,’ or a member of the nobility, likely corresponded within exclusive social circles. The careful penmanship, the honorifics used in addressing the recipient – ‘Den Zeer Geleerde Heer’ – all speak to a society attentive to status. The postal stamp provides a material anchor, but it is the hidden narrative we wish to reveal. To truly understand this envelope, we'd need to delve into genealogical records, postal archives, and social registers. We'd explore Lohman’s biography and the recipient's professional standing. Only then can we fully understand the social and institutional contexts within which this seemingly simple piece of mail gained meaning.
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