Nieuwjaarswens van de Amsterdamse courantombrengers voor het jaar 1856 1855 - 1856

This is a New Year's greeting from the Amsterdam newspaper deliverers for the year 1856, printed anonymously. The broadside format speaks to a time when print was a primary means of mass communication, but access to information was far from equal. Consider the labor and social standing of these newspaper carriers, likely working-class individuals whose livelihoods depended on the dissemination of news. How did their position shape their interaction with the city and its inhabitants? The text, dedicated to the city's residents, offers a glimpse into the aspirations and concerns of this community at the dawn of a new year. The verses reflect a desire for prosperity and well-being, interwoven with expressions of civic pride. As you examine the illustrations and text, think about the role of media in shaping public opinion and the lives of those who brought the news to the doorsteps of Amsterdam.