Keller was, at one time, the most famous handicapped person in the world. A severe fever at age 19 months left Keller blind and deaf. At age six Keller met Anne Sullivan (later Anne Sullivan Macy), the teacher who taught Keller the alphabet, thereby opening the world to her. Keller became an excellent student and eventually attended Radcliffe College, where she graduated with honors in 1904. While at Radcliffe she wrote an autobiography, The Story of My Life (1902), which made her famous. In later life Keller became an activist and lecturer, sometimes in support of the blind and deaf, and sometimes for causes including Socialism and women’s rights. She also founded and promoted the American Federation for the Blind. During her lifetime Keller was regarded as one of America’s most inspirational figures. Her story was told in a 1962 film starring Anne Bancroft as Sullivan and Patty Duke as Keller; both Bancroft and Duke won Academy Awards for their work. Vintage 10 x 8 Gerhard Sisters photo of Keller, Sullivan, and Polly Thomson at a table, with a seated Keller’s hand being gently held by Sullivan, who is standing beside her, signed in pencil “Helen Keller,” and “Annie S. Macy.” Missing top right corner tip, some scattered light surface impressions and marks, and mild border indentation from previous display, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
