Brief aan Jan Veth 1890 - 1892

This is a letter written by Jacoba Cornelia Jolles-Singels to Jan Veth, in 1890. It’s composed of paper, likely made from cotton rags or wood pulp, and ink, probably iron gall. These were the everyday materials of communication. What is striking is the act of handwriting itself. Each stroke of the pen reflects a personal touch, a direct connection between the writer's hand and the page. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial printing, handwriting was a marker of individuality and intimacy. You can imagine the labor involved – the careful mixing of ink, the precise control required to form each letter, the sheer time it took to transcribe thoughts onto paper. Letters like this served as a vital social function, connecting individuals and communities across distances. This reminds us that even the simplest of objects can carry immense cultural weight, reflecting the values, practices, and social relations of their time.