HELEN KELLER 1955 Typed Letter Signed

AutographsHelen Keller Seeks Funds for the American Foundation for the Blind

HELEN KELLER.
September 23, 1955, Typed Letter Signed, "Helen Keller," in pencil on watermarked, personal stationery, New York, one page, measuring 11" x 8.5", Choice Extremely Fine. Her letter, addressed to a "Mr. Luhrs", contains an appeal for funds for the "American Foundation for the Blind," in part: "I am indeed happy to inform you that the American Foundation for the Blind now is expanding services of benefit to my 6,000 deaf-blind fellow. Heretofore, a few hundred found bright cases of help and understanding in scattered schools and agencies...Try to imagine, if you can, the anguish and horror you would experience bowed down by the twofold weight of blindness and deafness... Still throbbing with natural emotions and desires, you would feel through a sense of touch the existence of a living world, and desperately but vainly would you seek an escape into its healing light. All your pleasures would vanish in a dreadful monotony of silent days... I doubt if the most imaginative and tender normal people can realize the peculiar cruelty of such a situation. Blind people can live happily in a world of sounds. Deaf individuals use their eyes instead of ears. But my deaf-blind fellows must have expert procedures to reclaim them to normal society... " Keller's signature is carefully written at the bottom of the page, measuring over 2" long. A heartfelt letter, with terrific content. The letter is offered together with the original transmittal envelope, 5.75" x 4.5" as well as a 5.5" x 4.25", 4 page printed brochure for Keller's foundation, entitled "Helpf for the DEAF-BLIND." The lot also includes the self-addressed stamped envelope, measuring 5.5" x 4.5", for a donation addressed to "MISS HELEN KELLER 15 West 16th Street, New York 11, N.Y." (4 items).