Ontwerp voor een verhuisbericht van Mr. Th. Muller Massis, advocaat en procureur 1884 - 1952

Editor: So, here we have *Ontwerp voor een verhuisbericht van Mr. Th. Muller Massis, advocaat en procureur*, or 'Design for a moving announcement of Mr. Th. Muller Massis, lawyer and attorney'. It was created sometime between 1884 and 1952 by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, and it appears to be a print on paper, with elements of typography and graphic art. It really captures that old-timey aesthetic. What stands out to you about it? Curator: It's like stumbling upon a relic from a more composed era. The Art Nouveau touches are what whisper to me – those stylized floral motifs hinted at in the corners, the gentle curve of the lettering, it's all yearning for beauty amidst the mundane. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what sort of impression Mr. Muller Massis was hoping to convey with this announcement? Editor: Absolutely! It feels like such a contrast to how we communicate these days. It makes a moving announcement almost…poetic. I also notice the typeface, it gives an authoritative yet vintage vibe. What does that say about his intended audience? Curator: I think it aimed at respectability, at reassuring his clients that despite the change of address, his practice remained rooted in tradition and good taste. It’s advertising with a soul, wouldn't you agree? Almost as though the building itself wasn't just an office but another form of qualification. Editor: That's such a great point. It gives the physical location almost a symbolic weight. Looking at it that way completely shifts my perception of the piece. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It reminds us that even something as simple as an announcement can reflect deeper cultural values.