Mapping Modernity

8. ’s-Gravenhage

25 October 2023

‘s Gravenhage as an early shopping city

This tourist map offers a neat display of official buildings, but what is more captivating is the kaleidoscope array of business facades adorning the map’s border. These businesses, as depicted, likely helped in the creation of this early advertising map. This map captures a moment in history when window-shopping emerged as a new phenomenon, marking the onset of mass consumerism.

Joh. G. Stemler Cz, 's-Gravenhage, ('s-Gravenhage ±1885). Coll. S/T T.422, 62 x 76 cm.