Autographs
Helen Keller Seeks Funds for the Blind
HELEN KELLER (1880-1968). The first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, as she learned to communicate, has become widely known through the dramatic depictions of the play and film The Miracle Worker.
September 27, 1951-Dated, Typed Letter Signed, "Helen Keller," in pencil on American Foundation for Overseas Blind, Inc. official letterhead, New York, one page, measuring 11" x 8.5", Choice Extremely Fine. Her letter, contains an appeal for funds for her efforts to assist the blind overseas. She writes, in part:
"In the world today, there are fourteen million blind people, thousands of whom were blinded by war and others even now losing their sight in the current conflict. The great majority live in India, Egypt, and China but every country has its quota of visually handicapped people... Blindness is to lie long, long days--and life is made up of days. It is to live immured, baffled, all God's world shut out. It is to sit helpless, staring into the dark with nothing but the dark staring back, while one's spirit tugs at is fetters, and one's hand aches for the tools it used to wield. Perhaps you have seen just a blind person on the street with faltering feet, offering petty wares for sale or holding out a cup for your pennies--and this was once a man with ambitions and capabilities. Since it is known that beggary ad dependence need not be the lot of any blind person, the American Foundation for Overseas Blind is laboring hard in Asia, in Europe, in Africa, and in South America to inspire leadership to guide blind people out of their well of darkness and to put equipment into their hands for schooling and tools with which to work..."
Keller's signature is carefully written at the bottom of the page, measuring over 2" long. A heartfelt letter, with excellent content, that reflects Keller's writing ability and clarity of mind in pursuit of bettering the lives of deaf and blind people. The letter is offered with a self-addressed stamped envelope, directed to the American Foundation for Overseas Blind, Inc., measuring 6" x 3.5", together with the original transmittal envelope (9" x4") as well as a 7" x 4.5", 4 page printed brochure for the foundation. (4 items).
Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, allowing the girl to blossom as she learned to communicate, has become widely known through the dramatic depictions of the play and film The Miracle Worker.
Her birthday on June 27 is commemorated as Helen Keller Day in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and was authorized at the federal level by presidential proclamation by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, her 100th birthday.
A prolific author, Keller was well-travelled and outspoken in her convictions. A member of the Socialist Party of America and the Industrial Workers of the World, she campaigned for women's suffrage, labor rights, socialism, and other radical left causes. She was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1971.
(From Wikipedia)