Typed Letter Signed by Keller Helen (7 results)

Condition: Old folds, else very good. 1p. on personal letterhead. 8-1/2 x 11 inches. An overly modest letter from the literary critic and writer best remembered today for his role in the editing and publication of Helen Keller's, The Story of My Life (1903). Reading in part: "As I do not consider myself successful it is impossible to answer your question." John Albert Macy (1877-1932) was married to Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, from 1905 until their separation in 1914. An ardent socialist and author of Socialism in America (1915) Macy corresponded and shared his political views with writers such as Upton Sinclair, and had a strong influence on Helen Keller, who joined the socialist party in 1909. Among his works as a literary critic are are The Spirit of American Literature (1913), The Critical Game (1922), and The Story of the World's Literature (1925). Macy was also an officer in the P.E.N. club, an international society of authors. As a high school student, Seymour Halpern (1913-1997), wrote letters to many notables of the day including politicians, military officers, entertainers, diplomats, artists, activists, writers, and businessmen, inquiring about their ideas to the keys to success in life. Halpern would later go on to serve as Republican from New York to the 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 91st and 92nd United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1959, to January 3, 1973. 1p. on personal letterhead. 8-1/2 x 11 inches.

Letter. A lovely one-page letter on a sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" paper addressed to a friend named Villa and SIGNED in pencil by Keller. In full: "Teacher [Anne Sullivan] is right in the midst of pies, and she wants me to thank you for her for your gift. Dear me, at the rate that she keeps making pies, I don't believe she will find time to set up as a druggist. I have forwarded the dainty handkerchief you sent for mother. I am sure it will please her. At Christmas-time we took Teacher off to the Green Mountains, so that she could get a respite from household cares. We spent some of our extra energy coasting and walking in snow up to our knees and sleighing and marvelling at the beauty of the hills. The change refreshed us all greatly. They told me that I came back every day with 'nice chipmunk cheeks.' If you at any time want a good rest and a comfortable place to be lazy in, just run up to WoodstockInn [sic]. While we were there, they had a pretty Christmas-tree for the guests. It was lighted up with tiny electric lamps. Each guest got a gift selected expressly to make him or her laugh. With love from us all and wishes for a happy New Year, I am, Your friend, Helen Keller." Anne Sullivan ("Teacher" and subject of the play and movie THE MIRACLE WORKER) and Helen bought a farm and seven acres of land in Wrentham, Massachusetts, in 1904 and lived there until 1917, some of the happiest years of Keller's life. That joy comes through in this letter. Creases from mailing; light soiling. Very Good.

Letter. A charming two-page letter on two sheets of The Lincoln hotel stationery (5-1/2" x 9-1/4") addressed to "Bebe" and SIGNED in pencil by Keller. In part: "The other day, when we were walking along the main street of Lincoln, Nebraska, on our way to the big red brick hotel, I nearly fell over this Dachshund, which was trotting out of an alley between two shops. Of course I begged the wee fellow's pardon, and he wagged his tail in such a friendly way, I knew it was all right." The owner, a young man, then appeared and said the dog was homeless. "Of course I thought of you, Bebe . 'the dearest little girl in the world who will be good to Bevs' . I think, though, Nebs is a good name, as he comes from Nebraska. From all I could learn from the nice young man, Nebs is very well behaved. But you know one can't believe every word one hears from strangers on the street. I thought I'd take a chance and buy Nebs for you. It is always good-natured to believe the best of men and dogs until they have proved themselves untrustworthy." We are not sure who the little girl, Bebe, is, and oddly enough, Keller had a dog with the same name as the girl. Keller never used any of her dogs as service dogs, but in an interview that came later in life, Keller said, "Nobody, who is not blind, as much as they may love their pet, can know what a dog's love really means. Dogs have travelled all over the world with me. They have always been my companions. A dog has never failed me." Paper rather fragile and a little darkened but overall Very Good.

Letter. Fine three-page letter on Hotel Tulsa stationery, 6" x 9-1/4", of @600 words to a Miss Hortop SIGNED in pencil by Keller. In part: "The lovely verse you sent brought a glow to my heart. But I did not need it to know that your dear thoughts have hovered about me on my journeyings. The darling flowers you have sent me from city to city have whispered how sweetly you were thinking of us all. How did you ever find time to gather, and wrap them up so snugly from the cold, that they might gladden me! And your messages too -- they have come like a response to my mood. At this moment I feel the sweet discontent awakened by the spring sunshine, and I long to escape from the endless restraints and complex life of the city. In this mood I read your verse about how happy we can be anywhere if we can only touch a flower or enjoy the leafy music of a tree. The words you wrote last Christmas have come back to me cheeringly amid the difficulties of our work, 'Nothing can take from you a beautiful day, or a splendid hour you have enjoyed.'" Keller speaks of her teacher's illness and how Polly [Thomson] took her place with Keller on stage. She then discusses the cities on the rest of her tour and wishes Miss Hortop could join them: "It is restful to be in presence of one whose life mirrors the beauty of mountains and the joy of high thoughts. Men and women like you are living epistles in which is written the sure prophecy of a brighter, happier future for mankind." Creases from mailing, minor splitting along folds and light foxing and corner paper loss on the last page; two lines on the last page faint and written over in pencil, likely by Polly Thomson. Overall Very Good.

No Binding. Condition: Very Good. In this standard fundraising letter, Keller entreats a Mr. Luhrs to give a financial gift in support of the American Foundation for the Blind. The letter is typed on an 11" x 8 1/2" sheet of stationery imprinted: "Helen Keller 15 West 16th Street, New York 11, N. Y." and signed in graphite: "Helen Keller". Comes with a postally-used transmittal envelope, a promotional flyer and a stamped envelope addressed to "Miss Helen Keller". Also included is the sleeve indicating this letter was auctioned by Early American History Auctions, Inc. on Nov. 1, 2008. Condition: Mailing fold lines, otherwise very good. Signed by Author(s).

Helen Keller. Famous political activist and advocate for persons with disabilities. Typed Letter Signed. 2-pages. 7-1/4" x 10-1/2". This letter is dated 11/20/1939, which puts it less than 3 months after World War II began. Written only shortly after Keller moved to "Arcan Ridge," her sprawling residence in Westport, Connecticut, she has typed the name of her new home at the head of her letter in place of letterhead. She would go on to live there for more than 30 years with her many dogs and personal assistant, Polly Thompson. This letter, discussing Keller's love for her new home (particularly its warm and inviting study), her affectionate relationship with her dog Kenzan-go, and the busy circuit of speaking engagements on her calendar, is written to a Miss Olson, and signed in pencil, "Helen Keller." Helen Keller was an American author, political activist & lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind 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 widely known through the dramatic depictions of the play & film "The Miracle Worker". A prolific author, Keller was well-traveled & outspoken in her convictions. She campaigned for women's suffrage, labor rights, and other causes. In this letter, Keller discusses a recent round of meetings she has had to make in "St. Louis, Arkansas and Illinois" including "visits to schools, receptions and interviews." However, her busy schedule is counterbalanced by her love for the refuge of her new home, which she named Arcan Ridge. In this letter, Keller describes with warmth her "darling little house" and with her characteristic authorial flourish, she tells her correspondent, "It is like a dear personality radiating grace, comfort and simplicity." Her new home also encouraged her literary endeavors, as she describes "The big study with spacious shelves and sun-flooded windows makes me feel as if I had struck a gold min, it is such a joy to work in, away from social interruptions that kill thought." Finally, Keller describes with warmth her two closest companions at this point in her life, her assistant Polly, and her dog Kenzan-go. She worries over Polly's poor health, and encloses [not included] a "tribute to the dog." Keller writes a touching tribute within this letter, "O the beauty of his noble form and the quietness of his protecting love as he lays his head on my knee!.he and the sun rival each other as he lies in its warmth.caresses to the little dog-stars Jack and Jill." Keller proved to the world that deaf people could all learn to communicate and that they could survive in the hearing world, and flourish.

No Binding. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. Written to Mr. [William V.] Alexander, editor of Ladies Home Journal, who had requested a series of articles from Keller that were later published as The Story of My Life. Keller humbly thanks Alexander for payment for the last article; in part: "I only wish I could have made the story of my life more worthy of the generous praise it has received.It has meant a great deal in my life, and in Miss Sullivan's too -- the thought of the happiness that she says my compliance with your request has brought her is sweeter even than the thought of the kindness shown me in the letters that come constantly from old friends long silent and new friends whose words go to the heart." Two 5" x 8" pages, typed with blue ribbon and signed "Helen Keller." A very early letter by Keller, preceding her first book, with exceptionally good content. Fine.