HELEN KELLER AMERICAN FOUNDATION & AMER. PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND BROCHURES

Description

We are offering two items, both of which have writing in braille.
This type of written communication using raised dots to represent letters and numbers was actually invented by Charles Barbier who served in Napoleon Bonaparte's French army.  The system known as "night writing" was used so soldiers could communicate safely at night.  Prior to this invention, many soldiers had been killed because they used lamps to read combat messages, indicating to the enemy where the French soldiers were.
Years later, Louis Braille, a blind child of 11 years of age, began to modify Barbier's "night writing" code while studying at a French institute for the blind, in an effort to create a more efficient system of writing for blind people.  He spent 9 years while at the institute in his spare time perfecting the system which we still use today, known as braille.
1.)
American Foundation for the Blind Card (3 5/8" x 6 3/4") circa 1920s (courtesy of the New York Times) possibly to be given to teachers of the blind.  The card has a picture of Helen Keller feeling a sculpted tablet - "seeing" the sculpture with her hands.
Helen Keller's quote below reads, "I cannot rest happy while my blind fellows are lonely and unhelped, standing outside the gates of light".  Below in braille is, "I am a co-worker with Helen Keller".  The back of the card has information about the foundation.
CONDITION: Excellent.
2.)
American Printing House for the Blind Brochure (3" x 6 1/4"), circa 1930s.
This central national printing house, which supplied all the states' needs for material for the blind, was established in Louisville, Kentucky in 1858.  The 3rd page of the brochure shows the braille alphabet and numbers used by the blind.
CONDITION: Excellent.