A Helen Keller letter and a ‘lost love’

Rosie Sultan has written a novel about Helen Keller, which explores an episode of her life when she formed a relationship with a young journalist, that was never allowed to blossom. The book is called Helen Keller in Love. Reading this reminded us that we have a Helen Keller ‘treasure’ – two letters that she wrote (the letters are typed) or had dictated, but that were signed by her. They were donated to the RNID (now Action on Hearing Loss) by Miss Ailsa McMahon who was head teacher at the short-lived Copnor Modern Girls’ School in Portsmouth (the school lasted from 1946-1968). The school had a Helen Keller house, and the pupils sent flowers to her. Miss McMahon wrote of Helen’s reply,  “What kindness and thoughtfulness on her part, especially when she was so busy”.

Helen Keller used a pencil to sign her name, and a ruler perhaps. Click onto the image for a larger size.