| Object ID |
1992.343 |
| Object Name |
Braillewriter |
| Title |
Small Improved Stainsby Braille Writer |
| Made |
V.L. Martin Company; Royal National Institute for the Blind |
| Place of Origin |
England |
| Date |
ca. 1970 |
| Description |
(a) Small Size Improved Stainsby Braille Writer; reverse key model, i.e. downward writing with six keys, three on each side of a carriage, that move right to left along a rail; key positions reversed as for writing with a slate (three keys on right, from top to bottom, are for dot positions 1, 2, and 3; three keys on left, from top to bottom, are for dot positions 4, 5, and 6); chrome-plated steel, aluminum base; pair of carriage release levers on right; bell on left indicates end of line; pegs at each end of writer base fit into the accompanying board; "MK3-M9603" is stamped on the top, lower right corner (b) aluminum board folds in two places vertically; 20 holes along both long sides to accomodate the braille writer, mounting holes on top for paper clamp; "V.L. Martin Company, for Royal National Institute For The Blind, London, W.I." is stamped at the top center; red paper pad screwed to base; (c) carrying case has brown faux leather covering over fibreboard with brass reinforced corners and leather handle; hinged lid, two tinplate locks, green felt lining; (d) wooden interpoint anti-sag ruler. |
| Inscription text |
V.L. Martin & Co. Ltd., Southall, Middx., for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Lond. W.I., No M 9603 |
| Provenance/History |
RNIB Catalog# 9452b (1968). Serial#9603. 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. |
| Dimensions |
H-11 W-8.4 D-0.5 inches |
| Dimension notes |
overall |
| Material |
Chrome, steel; aluminum, leather, fibreboard |
| People |
Stainsby, Henry |
| Subjects |
Braillewriters
Mechanical writing
Blind.
Aids for the blind and visually handicapped. |
| Search Terms |
Royal National Institute for the Blind |
| Credit line |
Gift of Judy Dixon, 1992.343 |
|
