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Dear Jack
I think the braille writer is rack number 7 from a larger set designed
for use with a Braille-stamping machine such as those produced by J.M.
Glauser Ltd for the National Institute for the Blind (although this does
not resemble our Glauser example). These machines comprised a base
board, clip paper holder and a stamping ratchet rack and Howe press.
They were supplied in rigid briefcases and it's not impossible you have
the other parts lying unrecognised somewhere in those cavernous stores
of yours!
Remember list users, for all your eyesight enquiries, we are the
specialist museum!
Neil Handley, MA, AMA
Curator, British Optical Association Museum
The College of Optometrists
42 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NG
Tel: 020 7766 4353 (Direct)
Tel: 020 7839 6000 (Switchboard)
Fax: 020 7839 6800
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.college-optometrists.org/museum
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Social History Curators Group email list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Johnstone, Christine
> Sent: 08 October 2007 11:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [SHCG-LIST] Information on tally/prayer beads
> and Braille writing aid
>
> This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this
> message, your message will be sent to all the people on the
> list, not just the author of this message.
> ---------------
>
> Hi Jack
> The Braille writer is just that - I have used a plastic one
> to write to a blind friend. You put card in and punch the
> dots through the template with a little bodkin [back to front
> of course]. The reader then reads the raised dots from the
> other side. You can use it to make labels or customise
> greetings cards. I would guess that they are mainly used by
> sighted people - blind Braille writers use a six key Braille
> 'type' writer. The RNIB give away free plastic writers like this.
> I am much less confident about the beads, but I think that
> they are Islamic. I seem to remember that there are 99
> 'names' for Allah [the Compassionate, the Just etc] and
> Muslims use beads with 3 sets of 33 names to help them recite
> the complete list. Perhaps someone else can confirm this?
>
> Christine
> Christine Johnstone
> Principal Cultural Officer: History, Wakefield Cultural Services
>
> Wakefield Museum, Wood St, Wakefield, WF1 2EW
> Tel: 01924 305350 Fax: 01924 305353
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> web-site: www.wakefieldmuseums.org and www.wakefield.gov.uk
>
> Exhibitions in the district:
> Halima Cassell - Wakefield Art Gallery
> Romans! - Wakefield Museum
> The 60s and Pontefract - Pontefract Museum
>
> Online Catalogues: 20,000 historic photographs and much more
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> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Social History Curators Group email list
> [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack Kirby
> > Sent: 08 October 2007 11:18
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: [SHCG-LIST] Information on tally/prayer beads
> and Braille writing aid
> >
> > This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to
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> not just the
> > author of this message. --------------- Hi all
> >
> > These aren't quite mystery objects, but I would welcome any
> further information on them:
> >
> > First, what is recorded somewhat uncertainly on our
> database as 'string of beads - tally beads?' (HPIM4927.JPG).
> It's been suggested that these are used to count whilst
> praying. There are 33 normal beads, then a marker bead, then
> another 33 beads, then another marker, then a final 33 beads.
> Are these for a particular religion/purpose?
> >
> > Second, a Braille writing aid of unknown date
> (HPIM4974.JPG). The only inscription on it is a number '7'.
> As a manual device, it must have been pretty slow to use. Has
> anybody seen anything like this before?
> >
> > Thanks and regards
> >
> > Jack
> >
> >
> >
> > Jack Kirby
> > Collections Interpretation Manager
> >
> > Thinktank, Birmingham science museum
> >
> >
> > e: [log in to unmask]
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> >
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> > f: +44 (0) 121 202 2320
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thinktank Trust
> > Thinktank Trading Limited
> > Millennium Point Curzon Street
> > Birmingham
> > B4 7XG
> >
> > www.thinktank.ac
> >
> > Registered charity no. 1061898
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
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> HPIM4927.JPG >> <<
> > File: HPIM4974.JPG >> >
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