Briefkaart aan Jan Veth before 1887

This postcard was sent by Isaac Israels to Jan Veth, most likely in the late 1800s. Although seemingly mundane, the materials and process speak volumes about cultural shifts. The card itself, machine-made from pulped wood, reflects the increasing industrialization of everyday life. Note the printed text and lines, a far cry from handmade paper. The stamps, mass-produced and meticulously designed, speak to the rise of national postal systems and standardized communication. Israels' handwritten message in simple ink, however, offers a personal touch, a counterpoint to the mechanization. Consider the social context. The ease and affordability of postcards democratized communication, connecting people across distances like never before. The postal system itself relied on a vast network of labor, from sorters to carriers, a testament to the changing nature of work in the industrial age. Examining this simple card through the lens of its materials and production process reveals a rich tapestry of social and technological change, reminding us that even the most ordinary objects can hold profound meaning.