Broadside. The sheet's upper shows a woodcut of a lamplighter (lantaarnopsteker) toting a ladder, off to begin his evening's work. Below, printed in gold, is a declaration on behalf of Utrecht's lamplighters, offering New Year's cheer and blessings to the city's aldermen, mayor, and residents. At the foot is a poem, likewise in gold, declaiming the joys of light.
Broadsides like these appeared in the Low Countries in the early nineteenth century, likely as a way of advertising the work of tradesmen and gently lobbying the city authorities for another year's goodwill. Other examples in institutions originate in Leiden, cite other guilds, such as night watchmen, and are generally smaller in size.
Few tears, the two along the center crease stabilized with cellotape. Toning to edges. Near fine. (Measures 17 by 14 in.)