Album amicorum of Petronella Moens
Cover of the friendship book of Petronella Moens
The friendship book of Petronella Moens stands out because it contains many contributions from famous writers. Among the 170 contributions from family members, acquaintances and fellow writers from the period 1762-1843 are writings by Aagje Deken, Betje Wolff, Willem Bilderdijk and Hendrik Tollens.
View the book online
About Petronella Moens
Portrait of Petronella Moens
Although Petronella Moens (1762-1843) went blind at the age of four due to a malignant form of smallpox, she managed to develop into a celebrated literary figure during her long life. During her life she wrote 153 books and occasional poems for young and old.
How much ‘Pietje’ was loved and appreciated, as she was called to her intimates, is evident from her album amicorum (friends’ book). This book contains 170 contributions from family members, acquaintances and fellow literary figures who testify to warm affection for her person and/or deep admiration for her craftsmanship. No other album from this period features so many famous literary figures: Aagje Deken, Betje Wolff, Willem Bilderdijk, Hendrik Tollens and many others.
-
Inscription by Willem Bilderdijk
That Moens attached great value to her album is evident from a letter from 1829 to F.W. Selle: 'See here also my friends' roll [friends' album], in which I would so much like to have your name; this is a trust that I seldom entrust to another.'
Ownership and loan
The album amicorum is in the possession of the Petronella Moens Foundation and has been on loan to the Literary Museum since 2001. Because it fits much better in the collection of friends' books of the KB, it was decided in good collegial consultation and with the approval of the Foundation to keep the album in the KB.
![p. 121: N.N., [Duitsland, ca. 1612]](/sites/default/files/styles/related_vertical/public/images/twenhuysen.webp?h=919df3c8&itok=W78FAvKD)
