Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1893

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent to Philip Zilcken by Jan Toorop in 1892. At first glance, it might seem like a humble piece of ephemera, but let’s consider the material and the labor involved. The card itself, likely made of paper pulp, speaks to the rise of industrial production and mass communication in the late 19th century. Notice the printed word "BRIEFKAART," along with pre-printed lines for the address, all enabled by technologies of industrial printing. These were relatively new at the time, just as the postal system itself was. Yet, the handwritten address is a reminder of the individual effort still required to make the system function. Toorop took the time to inscribe his message, adding a personal touch to this otherwise standardized format. Likewise, the postal worker would have sorted and delivered the card by hand. So, even in an age of increasing mechanization, the human element persisted. Looking at this card, we appreciate that even the simplest of objects can tell us about the intersections of labor, technology, and personal expression.