Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1892

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, to Philip Zilcken, dating back to 1892. The symbols here, though small, speak volumes about the circulation of power and identity. The crowned lion rampant, prominently displayed on the seal of 's Gravenhage, evokes a heraldic tradition stretching back to the medieval era. This lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, echoes in countless European crests. Its persistent recurrence reveals a deep-seated longing for authority and order. Similarly, the postage stamp, a humble yet potent emblem of state control, marks the flow of communication through the veins of society. Consider how such symbols have morphed across time, from emblems of personal or familial distinction to markers of national identity. They reflect, perhaps, a collective yearning for permanence in an ever-changing world, emblems that tap into something primal, shaping our sense of belonging and collective destiny. In essence, these symbols are never truly fixed. They are constantly evolving, re-emerging, and taking on new resonance across the ages.