Helen Keller is known to many as a woman who was an advocate of education for those that are deaf and blind. She has been the subject of many movies and books and was really the pioneer of advocating for those that were deaf and blind, like she was. Much has been made of the very close relationship that Helen Keller shared with her teacher, Anne Sullivan and recently a rare and previously unknown photograph has surfaced picturing the two women. This is an exciting find for those that know and love the history of Helen Keller.
The picture was found about 120 years after it was taken and it pictures Helen Keller with her teacher Anne Sullivan. The two are sitting outside with Helen sitting in a chair and Sullivan sitting on the ground. What is notable about this picture is that it is the earliest known photograph of the two and Helen is holding a doll, the only picture that depicts her in this way. Many may ask what is so important about Helen Keller holding a doll, and the fact is that this is the first word that Sullivan ever spelled for Helen on her hand and it was the beginning of a new life for the deaf and blind girl.
The picture was taken in 1888 and is on Cape Cod. The photograph was found in an album that belonged to a gentleman whose mother was childhood friends with Helen Keller. There are no other photographs of Helen Keller that were found in the album and no other pictures that are known of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan during this time. The photograph is unique and is of interest to a great many people who have taken interest in the life and trials of Helen Keller as well as all of the things that she did for both the deaf and blind communities.
The significance of this photograph is readily known to most who know about the life of this woman. Anne Sullivan is known to have worked hard to expose Helen to the outdoors, and in the picture she is outdoors. It is also known that the two women shared a very close relationship and this is obvious in the picture. Last but not least, Helen Keller was known to love her dolls and in this picture she is holding one of her dolls.
Experts know when the picture was taken and some investigative work is being done to see if this is in fact the earliest known photograph of Helen Keller and her beloved Anne Sullivan. This is definitely a picture that will be preserved well into the future, though it has not been stated where the picture will remain. Wherever it goes, those that have followed and love the story of Helen Keller will be sure to flock to the site to see the picture for themselves.