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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
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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 this message, your message will be sent to all the people on the list, 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
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> The SHCG list is provided for members of Social History Curators Group to discuss subjects relevant to social history in museums. To join SHCG visit www.shcg.org.uk . Opinions expressed in this email are the responsibility of the author and are not necessarily shared by SHCG. To leave the list do not reply to this message but send an email to [log in to unmask] with a blank subject line and these words as the body of the email: SIGNOFF SHCG-LIST << File: HPIM4927.JPG >> << File: HPIM4974.JPG >> >
The SHCG list is provided for members of Social History Curators Group to discuss subjects relevant to social history in museums. To join SHCG visit www.shcg.org.uk . Opinions expressed in this email are the responsibility of the author and are not necessarily shared by SHCG.
To leave the list do not reply to this message but send an email to [log in to unmask] with a blank subject line and these words as the body of the email: SIGNOFF SHCG-LIST