Object ID:
2001.211.26
Title:
Braille slate
Description:
Hinged pocket slate; piano hinge on left; 9 lines of 28 cells; registration pins up in bottom plate; windows in upper frame are straight rectangles, recessed pits in lower frame are in a squared off grid; slightly rounded corners.
Dimensions:
H-3.75 W-8.25 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. He was the uncle of Charles Zinser, who acquired 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. He was the uncle of Charles Zinser, who acquired the slate collection after Ronecker's death.
Credit Line:
Museum Purchase, 2001.211
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Braille slate
Braille slate