Wonderful collection of ten TLSs from Keller to Helen Kellogg of the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, all signed in pencil, totaling 20 pages, dated between 1946 and 1961. One two-page letter, March 17, 1952, in part: “We are now deep in preparations for a tour of the Near East, where we will visit the blind of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel. From there we are going to Paris in June. We are taking part in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Louis Braille’s Dies Natalis, and I have been asked to speak on the subject of his world-encircling service—a dot system of writing and reading for the blind, at the Sorbonne…I shall be proud to visit the venerable edifice from which such far-reaching influences have flowed penetrating the intellectual darknesses of mankind.” A letter of May 1, 1961, in part: “I do all I can writing letters for the American Foundation and reading books that thrill me with new problems of the blind. I am happy to say that there is new energy in preventing blindness. More and more blind children are accepted in public school with beneficent results.” A two-page letter of October 23, 1950, in part: “Our trip to California was wonderful…the dedication of the first State school for deaf-blind children in the world was an event to which I never expected to witness…There are twelve doubly handicapped children in that school now with special teachers, and the light of joy in their faces will make beautiful my last days on earth.” Many of the other letters also contain content referencing her travels, work for the blind, and charitable efforts. Also includes a 1959 ALS from Polly Thomson, Keller’s secretary. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by several newspaper clippings about Keller, a 1955 issue of Signs of the Times magazine, several original mailing envelopes, and a photo of Keller with a clown. The Chicago Lighthouse was established in 1906 and remains one of the oldest social service organizations in the city; its purpose was to help integrate the blind into society, primarily through training for job opportunities. A comprehensive archive rife with highly desirable content related to Keller’s work in helping the blind. RR Auction COA.
