Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1895

This is a 'Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken,' a postcard by Eduard Karsen. It is a piece of paper that conveys a message, but it is also marked by symbols that carry their own weight. Consider the postmarks: circular emblems striking the card with their authority, marking the passage of time and place, echoing ancient seals of power. Think of how these evolved from royal wax seals to the stamps we use today; each a small totem of state, carrying cultural identity. The act of sending a postcard is a ritual in itself, a gesture of connection across distances. It taps into a primal urge to communicate, to bridge gaps – much like cave paintings from millennia ago or smoke signals across vast lands. Here, we can see how Karsen engages with the collective human need to connect, even through something as simple as a postcard.