Ziet elke letter van 't A, B, C, / Breng hier een aardig prentje meê. / Zoo leert men dikwijls fraaije zaken / En mag zich schuldeloos vermaken 1848 - 1881

This alphabet sheet, made by Lutkie & Cranenburg, was printed with woodblocks. The letters of the alphabet are each associated with an image, accompanied by a short verse. What’s interesting about this print is the way it brings together the world of childhood education with the visual language of commerce. You see this in the somewhat crude, but still charming, application of color. Blocks were carved for each color separately, and then applied in layers. This was a labor-intensive process, but also one that allowed for mass production and, therefore, wide distribution. Consider the amount of handiwork, multiplied by the quantity of prints that would have been made. The result has a direct, accessible quality, in keeping with its intended audience. By recognizing the means of production here, the layers of making, we gain insight into Dutch culture and commerce, and the way they shaped even the simplest learning tools.