Overlijdensbericht aan jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout (1879-1969) Possibly 1952

This death announcement, likely produced in 1952, is a printed card. The offset lithography, with its clean type on light card stock, suggests a society rapidly rebuilding after the war. Unlike the hand-lettered announcements of previous eras, this notice speaks to the depersonalization that accompanied the rise of mass media. There is a contrast between the somber message and the crisp, almost cheerful design. Consider the labor involved: the typesetter carefully arranging the letters, the press operator overseeing the printing, and the delivery person who brought the finished cards to the family. Each of these steps represents a specific job, a cog in the machine of postwar capitalism. Even in mourning, the wheels of industry keep turning. It also begs the question, was the card part of a suite of items? Did it come with a letter, or a thank you note? What other ephemera accompanied this card that may further provide insight into the life of the deceased? In the end, this simple card is not just a message of loss, but a testament to the changing modes of production and social connection.