Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1929

This letter was written in Satigny, Geneva, by Alphonse Stengelin in 1923. It’s ink on paper, humble materials, but consider the careful labor involved. Before the typewriter became ubiquitous, handwriting was a common form of professional communication. Penmanship was therefore a valued skill. The flourish and legibility of script could represent one's social standing. A letter like this testifies to the writer's education, cultural values and level of craft. Each stroke of the pen, each carefully formed letter, speaks to hours of practice. Look at the pressure applied to the nib, creating thick and thin lines. Imagine the artist pausing, dipping the pen in ink, and carefully shaping each word. This contrasts with the speed and ease of mechanical printing. It's easy to overlook the labor involved in something as seemingly simple as a handwritten letter. This direct contact with the material and the intimacy of the handwritten word adds another layer of meaning. It prompts us to consider the value and effort placed on modes of communication.