Brief aan anoniem, mogelijk aan Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar Possibly 1828

This is a letter written by Charles Howard Hodges in 1828, likely with a quill and iron gall ink on paper. The paper itself, now aged and foxed, provides a subtle backdrop to the flowing script. Hodges’ choice of iron gall ink was common at the time, but its inherent acidity slowly eats away at the paper, a testament to time's relentless influence. Calligraphy, more than just a means of communication, was a practiced skill, reflecting the writer's education and social standing. The formal structure and elegant handwriting suggest a world where correspondence was a deliberate act, a far cry from today's digital exchanges. Consider the labor involved: from papermaking and ink production to the very act of handwriting, each step reflects a specific set of skills and the material conditions of the era. This letter is more than just a message, it's a tangible link to a time when communication was a craft.