Description:

Helen Keller
Westport, CT, November 20, 1939
Helen Keller Charming TLS on Her New "darling house," and Love for Dogs, "man's truest friends"
TLS

Helen Keller (1880-1968). Typed Letter Signed, "Helen Keller," in her usual pencil, 2pp, on two separate sheets of cream colored stationery measuring 7.25" x 10.5", Westport, Connecticut, November 20, 1939. Expected mailing folds. Lightly toned at margins. A few scattered spots. In fine condition.

Keller writes to a "Miss Olson" just after moving to her new home, Arcan Ridge, where she lived for more than thirty years with her many dogs, and her personal assistant, Polly Thompson. The letter, in part: "I hope the enclosed tribute to the dog may answer your purpose. How inadequate is anything I can say to honor man's truest friends in the animal kingdom! but at least it is warm from my heart...we would love to show you what a darling house we have. It is like a dear personality radiating grace, comfort and simplicity...sun-flooded windows makes me feel as if I had struck a gold mine...Kenzan-go renders the study complete. O the beauty of his noble form and the quietness of his protecting love as he lays his head on my knee! Polly says he and the sun rival each other as he lies in its warmth."

Helen Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer. She lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness as an infant. She then communicated primarily using home signs until the age of seven, when she met her first teacher and life-long companion Anne Sullivan. Sullivan taught Keller language, including reading and writing. After an education at both specialist and mainstream schools, Keller attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and became the first deafblind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Kenzan-Go was an Akita gifted to Keller by the Japanese government in 1939. He became her devoted companion for over ten years and was a symbol of goodwill between the U.S. and Japan.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: TLS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000