Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1897

This briefkaart, or postcard, from the late 19th century, is adorned with several symbolic markings that carry their own historical weight. Note the coat of arms at the top left. Crests like these were potent symbols of identity, power, and lineage. A tradition dating back to the medieval knightly class who adopted the use of heraldic emblems for their armor and shields as a way of identifying themselves on the battlefield. Over time, such crests migrated to wax seals on letters, banners, and other artifacts. Even the postage stamps are evocative, acting as miniature emblems of national identity and sovereignty, circulating cultural values, and, in their own way, persisting through time. Each mark on this card, from the formal crest to the postmarks, are testaments to how symbols continue to migrate, adapt, and embed themselves into our collective memory.