Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1911 - 1930

Rose Imel composed this letter to Philip Zilcken in 1922, using paper, ink, and her own hand. These are the humblest of materials, yet handwriting is an intimate process. You can almost feel the pressure of the pen on the page, the varying rhythm of the script, and the slight inconsistencies in letter formation. This directness contrasts starkly with the world of mass production. Letters like this were the primary means of communication before telephones became ubiquitous. The labor involved is literally manual; each word is a direct translation of thought into physical form. This slow, deliberate creation has imbued the letter with a sense of personal connection, a stark contrast to the efficiency-driven communication we often experience today. Considering the materials and making of this letter reminds us of the value of tangible, human-scaled creation in an increasingly digitized world. It underscores the importance of craft, not just as a technique, but as a mode of being.