Images(6)

Slate, Braille

Object number2022.43.1 a-c

Datec. 1970

MediumWood; Metal

Credit LineGift of Judy Wagner

DescriptionMetal braille slate attached to wooden board, and a black wooden and metal stylus. Elongated metal slate consists of two pieces hinged on one end. The top piece of metal consists of with four rows of 40 square holes, and the bottom piece consists of four rows of 40 clusters of six circular indentations. Maker's mark engraved near the hinged on the top piece of metal. Two metal "feet" on either end, which fit the slate in multiple configurations in the holes on the wooden board. Wooden board has seven holes down each side. Hole in the center-top right and center-lower left section. Metal clasp mechanism attached to the top of the board. Maker's mark engraved in top proper left section of the mechanism. Stylus consisting of a black tapered cylindrical handle with a cylindrical metal pointed end. DimensionsHeight x Length x Depth (a, closed): 1.75 x 11.75 x 0.375 in. (4.4 x 29.8 x 1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 12.5 x 10 x 0.75 in. (31.8 x 25.4 x 1.9 cm)
Height x Diameter (c): 2.25 x 0.875 in. (5.7 x 2.2 cm)
Marks(a) Mark engraved on one end: "HOWE PRESS / PERKINS / MODEL 140".

(b) Mark engraved on proper right side of the clasp mechanism: HOWE PRESS / PERKINS SCHOOL / WATERTOWN, MASS.".

Historical NotesThe donor’s mother Dolores Thompson translated books into braille for over ten years. The donor believes it was a friend at her church, Trinity Evangelical Church in Gibsonia, who had a blind son, Jeff Cogswell, that first made Dolores aware of the need for volunteer braille translation as there was a shortage of material in braille. She started in the mid-1960s and stopped in the mid-1970s when there was not as great a need for volunteer braille translation. The donor remembers her mother would do the work when her children were at school. She was a stay-at-home mom until the mid-1970s when she became the secretary in a dentist office. The family lived in Gibsonia and Dolores husband worked for Bell Telephone until he was forced to retire early.

Related institution Perkins School for the Blind

Previous owner Dolores Thompson

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