“Helen Keller on the Jewish Braille Review” embossing plate and letter

Plate, Embossing

Accession Number: 1992.25

Description: One braille embossing plate used to print multiple, single-side copies of a Helen Keller letter promoting the "Jewish Braille Review." Accession also includes five copies of the embossed letter on braille paper, two ink-print copies, and one plate tag. Plate was prepared and used at the American Printing House for the Blind for a special printing order received in February 1957 from Dr. Jacob Fried, executive director of the Jewish Braille Institute of America (publisher of the Review). It consists of two metal sheets, containing identical braille text, joined together by three brass grommets in three evenly-spaced holes at one end of the plate. Opposite end of plate is trimmed diagonally at one corner. Embossed letter features alternating lines of ink-print (from a handwritten original) and grade 1 (uncontracted) braille, with the braille alphabet in a single line at bottom. Plate tag of heavy card stock has title "Jewish Braille Review letter by Helen Keller" handwritten in pencil on it.

Height: 12.5

Width: 8.5

Date Made: 1957

Place of Origin: Louisville, KY

Collection: APH Collection

History/Provenance: APH Collection

Credit Line: APH Collection, 1992.250

Subjects: Advertising Embossing (Printing) Manufacturing aids, tools, and supplies Periodicals for the blind and visually impaired

Dimension Notes: Letter: 11 x 9 in. (5 embossed copies; 2 ink-print only)

Made: American Printing House for the Blind

Material: Metal (zinc), paper

Updated: 11/04/2015