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HELEN KELLER Signed Letter to HENRY FORD Thanking Him For Donation Autograph

HELEN KELLER Signed Letter to HENRY FORD Thanking Him For Donation Autograph

$3,500.00

Guaranteed Authentic
Newly Discovered Keller Signed Letter to Henry Ford and His Wife Thanking Them for Their Donation Referencing the "Desert of Isolation" of the Deaf and Blind

American author, disability rights advocate and lecturer HELEN KELLER touching, deeply emotional unpublished typewritten letter signed to Henry and Clara Ford. In the lengthy two page letter Keller expresses her gratitude for the Ford's recent donation saying in-part "God alone, unto whose loneliest children you have given wings to escape their dread doom, can rejoice you with dividends from their happiness in which you have invested". A fantastic Keller letter with superb content connecting two of American history's best remembered success stories: Helen Keller and Henry Ford! This letter has never before been published and was only discovered recently.

Keller additionally references her two year tour from 1944 - 1946 where she visited over 70 Army and Naval hospitals. Keller aimed to give hope to blinded veterans and teach them that they could still live independent, active lives. Keller also demanded better rehabilitation services, job training, and government benefits for blinded veterans. Finally, Keller concludes the letter mentioning having given the Migel Award to the Ford's Grandson. The Migel Medal is the highest honor in the blindness field, given for outstanding service to those who are blind or visually impaired. Henry Ford was the first recipient of the award - Henry Ford II stepped in to accept the Migel Medal on behalf of his grandfather, who was unable to attend the ceremony in New York City.

The KELLER signature has been thoroughly reviewed and CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC BY PSA/DNA EXPERT EXAMINATION – your assurance of absolute authenticity. GUARANTEED GENUINE. 

Keller was a prolific author, writing 14 books and hundreds of speeches and essays on topics ranging from animals to Mahatma Gandhi. Keller campaigned for those with disabilities and for women's suffrage, labor rights, and world peace. She was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She became the first deafblind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Keller Writes:
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ford,
If I could only embrace you in the fulness of gratitude for your being wonderful to my deaf-blind fellows, you would know the happiness which these words but half reveal.

The American Foundation for the Blind has communicated to me the news of your splendid donation to the Committee which bears my name, and great is the easement of the heartache I have borne for the doubly afflicted who are still untaught, uncomforted. When I mention the forty odd years during which I have sought a way for them out of the Desert of Isolation, apparently without result, you will realize how you have dropped "the comfortable dew of Heaven" upon the one region in my shadowed, silent world that has remained barren. I shall not try to thank you. God alone, whose loneliest children you have given wings to escape their dread doom, can rejoice you with dividends from their happiness in which you have invested.

You will be pleased, I know, to hear that your gift shines forth among the brightest rays in my crowning life-experience -- the privilege of visiting the wounded in Government hospitals. My longest tour for that purpose is just over, except one more visit, the naval hospital at Farragut, Idaho. Journeying up and down the land I have witnessed marvels without number in rehabilitation among the disabled, their amazing gallantry rising above limitations before which my own are nothing, and the growing faith in human beings and their potencies that the whole movement embodies. How beautifully fitting it is that you two, who have long looked with vision towards the goal of restoring broken humanity to their heritage, should complete my joy in the message others think I have for all the handicapped. Now that the deaf-blind of America are being led into the social fold, I can go forward with a clear conscience to whatever tasks await me in the coming days.

With affectionate regards to you both, and with cordial remembrances to your grandson to whom I was so proud to present the Migel Award for your service to the blind, Mr. Ford, I am,

Gratefully yours,

Helen Keller

May twenty-seventh, 1946."

Condition is as shown, mailing folds, pinholes to the upper left of each page, otherwise in near-mint condition. Please review all images carefully for exact condition. Each page measures appx. 8.25" x 10.75".

A handsome and impressive addition to any autograph collection. An exceptional museum-quality letter, and a truly rare and remarkable find. 
 
Sold as is, as shown.

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