Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1918

This Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken, was made by Alphonse Stengelin with paper, ink and handwriting. Postcards like these were ubiquitous, cheaply printed and widely available, connecting people across distances through brief messages. The material, humble and everyday, contrasts with the careful penmanship and the stamp, indicating both personal effort and the reach of a national postal system. The texture of the paper, likely coarse and mass-produced, speaks to the industrialization of communication, yet the handwritten note personalizes the exchange. The social significance lies in its accessibility; almost anyone could afford to send or receive one. This postcard then, isn't just a note; it’s a testament to a period when global networks were expanding, democratizing, and when personal expression found its place within systems of mass production and consumption. By looking at the materials and means of distribution, we see how this everyday object reflects the complex relationship between individual action and the wider forces of labor, politics, and connection.