Briefkaart aan August Allebé before 1889

This briefkaart, or postcard, addressed by Jérôme Alexander Sillem to August Allebé, features various symbols of authority and communication. The coat of arms, complete with a crown and lion rampant, signifies state power. The Amsterdam postal stamps act as assurance of delivery and are symbols of progress and connectivity. Consider the lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, traceable to ancient heraldry. We see it re-emerge through centuries of emblems of power, from medieval banners to modern-day national symbols. The circular stamp bearing the date and location echoes similar motifs throughout history, from ancient seals to modern bureaucratic insignias. The act of marking and authenticating is a collective memory, a ritual repeated across millennia. Even the simple act of addressing a letter evokes deep psychological significance. It represents the human desire to reach out, to connect across distances, and to leave a mark. It speaks to our primal urge for communication and community. The humble postcard is a powerful reminder of our shared human experience across time.