Notities en berekeningen 1854 - 1868

This page of "Notes and Calculations" was made by Johannes Tavenraat, likely in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-19th century. It provides us a glimpse into the economic life of the period. Tavenraat’s combination of numerical calculations alongside what appears to be personal notes is striking. The calculations are methodical, suggesting the rise of more systematic accounting practices accompanying the growth of industrial capitalism in the Netherlands. Yet, the personal notes, written in a more informal hand, remind us that economic life was still deeply intertwined with personal experience and individual agency. To better understand this work, one might consult archives of Dutch economic history, account books from the period, and personal papers from individuals involved in trade and commerce. It serves as a potent reminder that even seemingly mundane documents can offer invaluable insights into the social and institutional contexts that shape our lives.