1828: For women by women

Women in emergence

The emergence of the woman as an able-bodied writer and reader took place in the Netherlands in the eighteenth century. As that century progressed, more and more publications appeared that were especially aimed at women - works such as collections of poetry and almanacs. More and more women made their name as novelists, poets, translators, members of learned societies or journalists. Consequently, the intellectual and social development of the woman became a favourite topic for discussion. Many almanacs contained text (written mostly by men) that explained how women should perform their household tasks, how they might increase their domestic well-being, or how they ought to dress. But there were also almanacs written by women themselves, almanacs in which life was shown from their perspective and in which equal rights were even being demanded.

First almanac for women

The first almanac that was especially directed towards women was De huyshoudelyke Hollandsche jufferlyke almenach [The Dutch Ladies' Household Almanac], first published in 1765. The almanac contained information about 'boiling, braising, roasting, baking and preparing' various dishes, 'as well as putting together tarts and pastries'. There were instructions for 'the making of all sorts of delicious and charming fragrances' and 'a few means by which the Ladies may preserve their beauty'. There was also a laundry book in which the pieces of clothing to be sent out to the laundry could be noted.

Politically charged

A politically charged almanac for women was Het vrouwen almanakje van Diewertje en Grietje [The Diewertje and Grietje Women's Almanac], published during the 1870s and 1880s. This was the counterpart to the Almanak van Louw en Krelis [The Louw and Krelis Almanac], two names that also appeared in pamphlets. They represented the Dutch citizens who were vocally critical of the administration of governor Willem V. These almanacs are actually patriotic writings aimed at convincing their readers, all ordinary citizens, to let them act as their spokespersons.

Written by women

It can be assumed that both of the above-mentioned almanacs were written by men. This is not the case, however, for the Almanak voor vrouwen door vrouwen (Almanac for Women by Women, 1792-1824) en de Almanach voor meisjens, door meisjens (Almanac for Girls by Girls, 1795-1806). The latter is especially well known for its letters from 'R.NB' in which the readers are incited to stop tolerating male oppression. The immediate result was a ban on sales in Amsterdam in 1795. The first-named almanac is more well-behaved. It was distinguished by the fact that it was entirely a female enterprise. Even the publisher was a woman, the widow of Jan Dóll. In her time she was a famous publisher of theatrical pieces, poetry and other almanacs. These almanacs heralded a boom in the publication of ladies' almanacs, mostly of them quite elegant, in the nineteenth century.