Bedankkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1929

This little thank you note was made in Amsterdam in June 1901. It is a formal and finely wrought letter of gratitude. It is kind of charming to see this handwriting as a kind of proto-painting, even though it is not made with brushes or paint, but is actually printed. I can imagine the anonymous designer meticulously drawing out the letters, each curve and flourish so precise, so measured. The aim is to leave a lasting impression. It’s interesting to think about these gestures as a form of expression, not so different from the marks we make with paint. The texture, the tone, the very weight of the ink—it all speaks to the intention behind the message, and the overall tone of gratitude. And it makes you wonder about the recipient, Philip Zilcken—who was he, and what was his relationship to the happy couple? These historical moments, frozen in time, offer a glimpse into the ongoing conversation of human connection.