Autographs
The Miracle Worker "Helen Keller" Typed Letter Signed
HELEN KELLER (1880-1968). The first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, as she learned to communicate, has become widely known through the dramatic depictions of the play and film The Miracle Worker.
December 1, 1923-Dated, Typed Letter Signed, "Helen Keller" in pencil, measuring 7" x 10.25", 2 pages (1 page front & back), Forest Hills (NY), Choice Very Fine. Mailing folds with soiling, overall well typed and easily readable. This personal Letter is written to her friend "Betsy." Overall, a bright cheerful letter to a friend whom she clearly deeply cared for. It reads, in full:
"Forest Hills, December 1, 1923 -- Oh Betsy dear, how shall I ever thank you for the beautiful flowers which came while we were at breakfast Thanksgiving morning! They were as exquisitely fresh as if they had been just picked sweetpeas, roses, mignonette and a four-petalled star-like flower which we didn't know, but which was a pure and sweet as a little child's heart. The flowers were most artistically arranged in a vase like the trunk of a tree, very pretty and unusual. The tree is known by its fruit and a man by his deeds, and Betsy is known by her flowers. Do you know that in imagination I always see you with flowers in your hands? When your flowers came, it seemed as if you burst into the room with a bright greeting. I felt an impulse to reach out my hand to catch yours! -- You will be glad to hear that the flowers gave the magic touch to the simple festivities of the day. We had with us some friends from the city, people who work very hard, and seldom get a holiday. They have a darling wee girl four years old, and it was a joy to feel the patter of her little feet about the house. No home, however beautiful, looks quite natural to me without children and flowers. -- We are thinking so much about you these days thinking and planning and hoping. I believe I should like to live in Denver. Everything I read about it makes me love it. I think we should all be happy there with you. It would be wonderful to work together at something we were all interested in! It's nice to dream about anyway. In thought I see the 'bunch' having its picture taken at your door-step, embraced by Colorado's mountains and canopied by her illimitable sky. -- How did you spend Thanksgiving Day? I hope you had a turkey, and that your pussies enjoyed it. -- I'm racing for dear life to catch up with a correspondence that refuses to be overtaken. I wish I had time to write to you as often as I think of you. But alas, there are so many duty, letters to be written that I weary of beating the keys of my typewriter before ever I come to my friends' letters. -- We three send you our love. Harry will too when he knows you as well as we do. -- Affectionately your friend, (Signed) Helen Keller."
Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, allowing the girl to blossom as she learned to communicate, has become known worldwide through the dramatic depictions of the play and film The Miracle Worker.
A prolific author, Keller was well traveled, and was outspoken in her opposition to war. A member of the Socialist Party USA and the Wobblies, she campaigned for women's suffrage, workers' rights.