Adressen 1895

This address book, created by Willem Cornelis Rip, consists of paper pages inscribed with ink. Though humble, these materials speak volumes. Paper, by the late 19th century, was no longer a precious commodity but a mass-produced substrate, made from pulped wood and available for everyday use. Rip's choice of ink, readily available but permanent, reflects the intention to create a lasting record. The handwriting itself, a skill once highly valued, conveys a sense of personal care. Each entry, carefully penned, represents a connection, a relationship to be maintained. But there's also a sense of labor embedded in this object. Not just Rip’s, but the unseen work of those who manufactured the paper and ink. While seemingly simple, this address book reveals how deeply intertwined art, craft, and industrial production have always been, challenging any rigid separation between them.