Description:

Helen Keller
Los Angeles, CA, April 21 and May 25, 1925
Helen Keller Manuscript, 2 TLsS to Mr. Doheny
TLS
A pair of typed letters signed by Helen Keller during a California fundraising trip. The two letters are dated April 21 and May 25, 1925 and signed in typical dark pencil "Helen Keller." Both are addressed to Mr. Doheny, regarding funds for the American Foundation for the Blind. The letters have flattened mail folds, with faint soiling and paper clip imprints at the edge. Both boldly signed. Ex. Collection of Steve Forbes.

April 21, 1925, Los Angeles (5pp), 8.25" x 10.75": "…Ever so many people who have attended the meetings I am holding in Los Angeles and vicinity in behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind have said to me, 'Why don't you try to interest Mr. Doheny in your work?' He is the kindest man in the world!' So I have screwed my courage to the sticking-point - for it takes a stout heart to write to a stranger who is also a very busy man, even though he be the kindest man in the world…It is never easy to break through the conventional barriers which separate human beings one from another. We must use all the knowledge, art and charm we have to find the friend we seek. I can think of only one way to win the king's smile, and that is by stating as briefly as possible the purpose of my letter. It is rather difficult to begin, as you may have never heard of me…"

May 25, 1925, San Francisco (2pp), 7" x 10.75": "How shall I ever thank you for the delight your response to my letter has brought me! It is the brightest ray of light that has shone upon my endeavors for a long time. In fact, it is four months since I received the last check for a thousand dollars, from my friend Mr. Kirkwood in Kansas City…Will you forgive me if I tell you that I had given up hope of hearing from you? Soon after I had written to you, I read in the newspapers of the prodigious activities you were engaged in at the time, and I concluded that my letter would not be brought to your attention. So your gift was a very special joy and surprise to me…I hope you will remember sometimes in your very busy life that you have made my heart sing with joy because you have held out a friendly hand to those who sit waiting outside the gates of light…"

Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, she lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness at the age of 19 months. At age 7, Keller met beloved teacher and lifelong companion Anne Mansfield Sullivan (1866-1936), who taught her to read, write, and speak using various methods. Keller would later begin a career of writing, lecturing, and touring around the world to advocate for people with disabilities.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Provenance: Ex-Collection of Steve Forbes.
  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 10.75"
  • Medium: TLS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000