The traditional regional costume of the so-called ‘Zeeland girl’ (‘Zeeuws meisje’) has attained iconic status. In ‘Zeeland Girls on Cartes-de-Visite’, photo historian Flip Bool brings together seventy remarkable portraits from the collection of the Dutch Photography Museum. Taken in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these photographs depict girls and women dressed in their Sunday best—their traditional regional attire.

These small portrait photographs, known at the time as cartes-de-visite, were a popular way for individuals to have their likenesses captured for posterity. Clothing, jewelry, pose, and background were all chosen with great care. Consequently, the photographs offer insights not only into the history of photography and Zeeland’s regional dress, but also into personal identity, social customs, and daily life of over a century ago.

In an extensive, richly illustrated introduction, Flip Bool places these portraits within their historical context. He explores topics such as the evolution of the carte-de-visite format, the significance of the various garments, and the photographers who created these images.

Staying true to the theme, ‘Zeeland Girls on Cartes-de-Visite’ is a small-format book featuring gold-leaf details—much like the original cartes-de-visite themselves. With its seventy meticulously reproduced portraits, this volume offers a fascinating glimpse into a vanished world. It is a true gem for enthusiasts of photography, history, fashion, and cultural heritage.