Object ID:
2001.211.23
Title:
Braille slate
Description:
Hinged pocket slate; piano hinge on left; dark gray "white metal" alloy; 9 lines of 24 cells; brass pins up in bottom frame; windows in upper frame are straight rectangles, recessed pits in lower frame are in a squared off grid.
Dimensions:
H-3.75 W-7.125 inches
Date:
n.d.
Place of Origin:
Hamburg, Germany
Provenance:
The Musee Valentin Hauy in Paris has near duplicates of this design marked "Menzel/Hamburg". Their documents suggest the slate was originally designed by a teacher--who was himself blind--named Menzel at the Institution for the Blind in Hamburg, Germany around 1910.
Item is part of a slate collection that belonged to David Ronecker (1918-2001). He was blind since birth, attended the Missouri School for the Blind, worked in
Texas as a medical technician for the armed forces, and was an avid collector of slates. His nephew, Charles Zinser, sold the slate collection after Ronecker's death.
Item is part of a slate collection that belonged to David Ronecker (1918-2001). He was blind since birth, attended the Missouri School for the Blind, worked in
Texas as a medical technician for the armed forces, and was an avid collector of slates. His nephew, Charles Zinser, sold the slate collection after Ronecker's death.
Credit Line:
Museum Purchase, 2001.211
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Braille slate
Braille slate