1992.360

Large Improved Stainsby braillewriter, interpointing model

(a) Large size Improved Stainsby Braillewriter, interpointing model; reversed keys (keys arranged for writing braille in reverse as on a slate); nickel plated steel mechanism screwed to aluminum bed plate; pins on the bottom of the bed plate lock into corresponding holes in the board; sliding carriage with bell on left; six spring loaded point keys, space bar on right, small carriage release lever on right; (b) aluminum alloy board, rectangular with rounded corners, holes punched in two columns of 27; black aluminum strip at top with holes pierced for the paper clamp; black rubber feet screwed to bottom (c) green enameled aluminum paper clamp, basically a flat strip with two pins in the base; another hinged strip on the top holds paper onto two teeth in the lower strip; finger latch locks top strip closed; (d) russet faux leather case, riveted metal reinforced corners; stitched around mouth; plastic carrying handle, pair of lockable push button latches, nickel plated hardware; internal fiberboard divider, plaid paper lining; sticker inside case, "National Library for the Blind, Northern Branch, Manchester"; (e) wooden interpointing anti-sag ruler; (fg) cardboard components box with lid; serial No. M11307 (writer) and M3777 (board).

H-13 W-16 D-5.5 inches

ca. 1975

V.L. Martin & Co. LTD; Royal National Institute for the Blind

London

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their portable brailler writer around 1903. An "improved" version, featuring aluminum parts and a paper clamp allowing accurate interpointing or interlining, was announced in "Outlook for the Blind" as early as 1927 and available generally by 1933 in the RNIB catalog. By 1978, RNIB sold the Improved Stainsby in a number of formats, including a large version available with interlining and interpointing board, and a small version with a folding board. Both large and small models came in ordinary and reverse keyed versions.

Gift of Judy Dixon, 1992.360.