Briefkaart aan Filippo Tessaro before 1889

This postcard was written by Herman Johannes Aloysius Maria Schaepman, around 1887. It is made from paper, ink, and adhesive stamps. The mass-produced paper stock points to the rise of industrialization in the late 19th century, enabling widespread communication. Consider the labor involved in producing this seemingly simple object. From the harvesting of raw materials for paper to the printing of the card and stamps, numerous hands were involved. The handwritten message adds a personal touch to this manufactured item, creating a dialogue between mass production and individual expression. The stamps, with their intricate designs and postal markings, speak to the efficiency of the postal system and its role in connecting people across distances. This humble postcard thus embodies complex social and economic relationships, challenging traditional notions of art by highlighting the interplay between industry, communication, and personal connection.