Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1898

This is a pre-printed postcard addressed by the artist Albert Baertsoen to Philip Zilcken. The card itself would have been produced industrially, likely using techniques like offset lithography for the text and design elements. What’s interesting here is the contrast between mass production and the hand-written message. The pre-printed format speaks to a rising culture of communication and consumption, where standardized forms enabled widespread exchange. Yet, the personal touch of Baertsoen's handwriting injects individuality into the otherwise impersonal medium. The postmarks, too, mark the card's physical journey through the postal system, a network built on human labor and logistical coordination. So, while the postcard itself is a product of industrial processes, its significance lies in how it facilitates human connection. It reminds us that even within systems of mass production and consumption, there's always room for individual expression and the enduring importance of human relationships.