The collection alba amicorum of the KB, national library of the Netherlands, consists of approximately 700 friendship books from the 16th century up to and including the 19th century. It is the largest collection of alba amicorum in the Netherlands. The habit of keeping an album originated in Germany. In the 16th century, students often kept a booklet there with the handwritten contributions of fellow students and professors. It was a popular pastime that was soon adopted by Dutch students. The earliest album from the KB dates back to the years 1556-1597 and was owned by Philippus Anshelm. Later, alba were kept by other social groups, such as scholars and merchants. From the late 16th century, (noble) women also started to produce alba. For a while the album amicorum was less popular, but from the middle of the 18th century its use revived. In the 19th century, a broad public begins to compile books of friends. This time often on loose leaves that were kept in a book-shaped box. In addition to dedications to friendship, accompanied by learned quotes, you will often find poems and drawings in alba, and from the 19th century on, embroideries and needlepoint and cutting work. At the end of the 19th century, the audience got ever younger. A new genre emerges: the well-known 'Poesiealbum', which is filled in by family and friends, mainly girls between the ages of 9 and 12. These contributions consist of simple rhymes and are often decorated with stickers. 

This site shows a large part of the KB's alba amicorum collection. For more information about the KB's alba amicorum collection, please visit the website (in Dutch) or contact jeroen.vandommele@KB.nl