Advertentie van de Hilversumsche Vereeniging tot bestrijding der tuberculose 1884 - 1952

This small card was made by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, probably in the early twentieth century. It’s a printed advertisement for a Dutch anti-tuberculosis organization. The text urges us to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze. Think about how this message is delivered. Printmaking allowed for widespread distribution, crucial for public health campaigns. The card itself, likely made of cheap paper stock, reflects the democratic impulse behind such initiatives. Unlike a hand-painted sign, print democratized the means of production and dissemination, making information accessible to a wider audience. The design is also interesting. It's not slick or modern, but rather uses an old-fashioned, ornate typeface and border, perhaps intended to convey a sense of authority and trustworthiness. This reveals how even mass-produced items can be imbued with cultural significance, carefully considered to affect the viewer. Ultimately, this little card shows how design choices, materials, and the social context of production all contribute to an object's meaning.