Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1919

This postcard, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, reveals itself through the symbols it bears, each a marker of its time and purpose. The postal stamp in the upper-right corner, for example, carries motifs of Dutch national identity, echoing emblems found in official seals and currency, a reflection of civic pride and state authority. These emblems remind me of the visual vocabulary of Renaissance medals, where symbols of power and virtue were carefully crafted to convey specific messages about the ruler or the city. The use of symbolic elements, like the crown or heraldic shields, serves as a constant reminder of the values and ideals that underpin the community's collective identity. Consider how these symbols evolve, shifting from emblems of imperial power to markers of national identity. Such symbols tap into our collective memory, evoking feelings of belonging and shared history, reminding us of the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, and how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.