Perkins Boston Line Type books

About this collection:

In the year before Perkins opened its doors to students in the autumn of 1832, Samuel Gridley Howe scoured North America and Europe to create a small library for his students. However, he did not find as many books as he had hoped for, so Howe decided to create them himself.

Within a few years, Howe developed an embossed alphabet called Boston Line Type. The new tactile writing system was compact and had few confusing flourishes, unlike others in use. Next, he hired a printer, Stephen Preston Ruggles, to design a press that could produce books in Boston Line Type

The Acts of the Apostles was the first book printed at Perkins in 1835. Other books published that year were Baxter’s Call, The Blind Child’s Spelling Book, The Dairy Man’s Daughter, and An Introductory Reading Book for Children.

The press at Perkins was named Howe Memorial Press in 1882. Perkins officially switched to braille after 1907.

About this inventory:

The Perkins Archives is committed to making more of our collections available sooner. To do so, we are making inventories of unprocessed collections available. These inventories may not be complete and may be updated periodically. The date of the latest edit will be noted. For questions about these collections, email [email protected].

Latest update to inventory:

March 27, 2024.

Date range:

1835-1907

Call number:

AG43

Inventory:

Organized by categories used in the 1910 Howe Press Catalogue, then alphabetically by title. Categories are: juvenile books, general literature, poetry, biography, history, religion, and text books.

Juvenile books:

B

• Bible Stories in Bible Language, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 1 of 1, 1884.
• Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell, volume 1 of 1, 1894.
• The Blind Child’s First Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882.
• The Blind Child’s Second Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1860.
• The Blind Child’s Third Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1861.
• The Blind Child’s Third Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882.
• The Blind Child’s Fourth Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1860.
• The Blind Child’s Fourth Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882.
• The Blind Child’s Fifth Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882.
• The Blind Child’s Sixth Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882.
• The Blind Child’s Seventh Book, compiled by Howe, S. G., compiled by, 1882
• The Blind Brother, a story of the Pennsylvania coal mines, by Green, Homer. volume 1 of 1, 1890.
• The Boy’s Percy, Ed. by Bishop Thomas Perey, edited by Sidney Lanier, volume 1 of 1, 1906.

C to K

• Captain January and other short stories, L. E. Richards, 1892 [Laura E. Richards is the daughter of Samuel Gridley Howe and Julia Ward Howe].
• Children’s Fairy Book, Selected and arranged by M. Anagnos, volume 1 of 1, 1882.
• A Christmas Dinner, by K.D. Wiggin, volume 1 of 1, 1891.
• Eclectic Primer, by William Holmes McGuffey, volume 1 of 1,1882.
• Greek Heroes, by Charles Kingsley, volume 1 of 1, 1885.
• Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, translated by Mrs. Brooks, volume 1 of 2, 1885.
• Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, translated by Mrs. Brooks, volume 2 of 2, 1885.
• In the Child’s World, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 1 of 3, 1895.
• In the Child’s World, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 2 of 3, 1895.
• In the Child’s World, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 3 of 3, 1895.
• The King of the Golden River or The Black Brothers, by John Ruskin, volume 1 of 1,1895.

L to Y

• Little Lord Fauntelroy, F. H. Burnett, volume 1 of 1, 1889.
• Little Ones Story Book, volume 1 of 1, 1872
• Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, volume 1 of 3,1890.
• Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, volume 2 of 3,1890. Two copies.
• Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, volume 3 of 3,1890. Two copies.
• President Lincoln and the Sleeping Sentinel, by L.E. Chittenden, volume 1 of 1, 1891.
• Stories for Little Readers, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 1 of 1, 1888
• Story of a Short Life, by Juliana Horatia Ewing, volume 1 of 1, 1888.
• The Story of Sigfried, by James Baldwin, volume 1 of 1, 1902.
• Through the Farmyard Gate, by Emilie Poulsson, volume 1 of 1, 1897.
• Twelve Popular Tales, selected by H. C. Lodge, volume 1 of 1, 1910.
• Water Babies, by Charles Kingsley, volume 1 of 1, 1893.
• What Katy Did, by Sarah Coolidge, volume 1 of 1,1883.
• Wild Animals I Have Known, by Ernest Seton Thomson, volume 1 of 1, Howe Memorial Press, 1900.
• Youth’s Library, Selected and arranged by M. Anagnos, Volume 1 of 8, Howe Memorial Press, 1882.

General Literature

A to D

• Adam Bede, by George Eliot, volume 1 of 3, 1893.
• Adam Bede, by George Eliot, volume 2 of 3, 1894.
• Adam Bede, by George Eliot, volume 3 of 3, 1894.
• The Alhambra, by Washington Irving, volume 1 of 2, 1897.
• The Alhambra, by Washington Irving, volume 2 of 2, 1897.
• A Brief Account of the Most Celebrated Diamonds, translated in English by Julia R. Anagnos, volume 1 of 1, 1900.
• Christmas Carol with Extracts from Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens, volume 1 of 1, 1881. Two copies. 
• David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens, volume 1 of 5, 1886.
• David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens, volume 2 of 5, 1886.
• Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, volume 1 of 3, 1896.
• Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, volume 2 of 3, 1896.
• Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, volume 3 of 3, 1896.
• Don’t; or Directions for Conduct and Speech, by Censo, volume 1 of 1, 1892.

E to L

• Essays, by R. W. Emerson, volume 1 of 1, 1885.
• Essays on Burns, Goethe, and Scott, by Thomas Carlyle, volume 1 of 1, 1907.
• Extracts from English and American Authors, selected and arranged by S.G. Howe, volume 1 of 2, 1838. Two copies.
• Extracts from English and American Authors, selected and arranged by S.G. Howe, volume 2 of 2, 1839.
• Gods and Heroes, by R.E. Fracillon, volume 1 of 1, 1898.
• History of the Great Plague in London, volume 1 of 2, 1906.
• History of the Great Plague in London, volume 2 of 2, 1906.
• The History of Henry Esmond, Esquire, by W. M. Thackeray, volume 1 of 3, 1900.
• The History of Henry Esmond, Esquire, by W. M. Thackeray, volume 2 of 3, 1900.
• The History of Henry Esmond, Esquire, by W. M. Thackeray, volume 3 of 3, 1900.
• Longfellow’s Birthday, by J. R. Anagnos, volume 1 of 1, 1882. Two copies. [Julia Romana Anagnos is the daughter of Michael Anagnos].

O to V

• Odysseus the Hero of Ithica, by Homer, volume 1 of 1, 1899.
• Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens, volume 3 of 3, presented by the author to the Blind, and printed at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, Boston, Massachusetts. 1869. 
• The Peasant and The Prince, by Harriet Martineau, volume 1 of 1, 1890. 
• The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, volume 1 of 2, electrotyped, Howe Memorial Press, 1885.
• The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, volume 2 of 2, electrotyped, Howe Memorial Press, 1885.
• Selections by Edwin Ginn, by John Ruskin, volume 1 of 1, 1897
• Sesame and Lilies, by John Ruskin, volume 1 of 1 1892.
• Silas Marner, by George Eliot, volume 1 of 1, 1882.
• Sketch Book, by Washington Irving, volume 1 of 2, 1901
• Sketch Book, by Washington Irving, volume 2 of 2, 1902.
• The Talisman, by Sir Walter Scott, volume 1 of 2, 1886.
• The Talisman, by Sir Walter Scott, volume 2 of 2, 1886.
• Tanglewood Tales, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, volume 1 of 2, 1881. Two copies. 
• Tanglewood Tales, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, volume 2 of 2, 1882
• Twice Told Tales, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, volume 1 of 1 1897.
• Vicar of Wakefield, by Oliver Goldsmith, volume 1 of 1, 1881.

Poetry

• Essay on Man and other Poems, by Alexander Pope, volume 1 of 1,1880. 2 copies. 
• Evangeline, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1881. Two copies.
• Hebrew Melodies and Childe Harold, by Lord Byron, volume 1 of 1, 1871. 2 copies.
• Hiawatha, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• Homer’s Illiad, translated by Alexander Pope, volume 1 of 3, 1898.
• Homer’s Illiad, translated by Alexander Pope, volume 2 of 3, 1898
• Embossed Books, Music, Maps, Appliances and Tangible Apparatus for the Use of the Blind
• Lowell’s Poems, by James Russell Lowell, volume 1881. 2 copies.
• In Memoriam, and other poems, Alfred Tennyson, volume 1 of 1, 1881.
• King Henry V, by William Shakespeare, volume 1 of 1,1885.
• Lay of the Last Minstrel, and other poems, by Sir Walter Scott, 1884. volume 1 of 1. 2 copies.
• Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, volume 1 of 1, 1891.
• Paradise Lost. By John Milton. Second edition. Electrotyped. Volume 1. Printed at the Perkins Institution and Mass. School for the Blind. Boston. 1879.
• Paradise Lost. By John Milton. Second edition. Electrotyped. Volume 2. Printed at the Perkins Institution and Mass. School for the Blind. Boston. 1879.
• Paradise Regained, and other poems, by John Milton, 1892, volume 1 of 1.
• Poems, by J. G. Whittier, volume 1 of 2, 1881.
• Poems, by O. W. Holmes,
• Poems, by W. C. Bryant, volume 1 of 1,1882. Two copies.
• Poems, by William Wordsworth, volume 1 of 1, 1891.
• Poetry of Byron Chosen and Arranged by Matthew Arnold, volume 1 of 1, 1884. 2 copies.
• Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, volume 1 of 1, 1885.
• Shakespeare’s Play of Hamlet /Julius Caesar. Printed for the use of the blind. Perkins Institution. Boston. Mass., U.S. 1871, volume 1 of 1, 2 copies.
• Stray Chords, by J. R. Anagnos, volume 1 of 1, 1890. [Julia Romana Anagnos was the daughter of Michael Anagnos].

Biography

• Biographical sketches of Valentin Hauy, Dr. Howe, Laura Bridgman, Milton, Beethoven, and others. Selected and compiled by M. Anagnos, volume 1 of 1, 1883. 2 copies.
• Memoir of Michael Anagnos, 1837-1906, by F.B. Sanborn, volume 1 of 1, 1907.
• Memoir of Samuel G. Howe, by Julia Ward Howe, volume 1 of 1, 1876. 3 copies.

History

• Child’s History of England, Charles Dickens, volume 1 of 2, 1872.
• Child’s History of England, Charles Dickens, volume 2 of 2, 1873.
• Constitution of the United States, volume 1 of 1, 1853.
• General History of the World, Durury, translated by Edwin Grosvenor, volume 1 of 4, 1904.
• General History of the World, Durury, translated by Edwin Grosvenor, volume 2 of 4, 1904.
• General History of the World, Durury, translated by Edwin Grosvenor, volume 3, of 4 1904.
• General History of the World, Durury, translated by Edwin Grosvenor, volume 4 of 4, 1904.
• History of Greece, by Leonhard Schmitz, volume 1 of 1, 1880.
• History of Rome, by Leonhard Schmitz, volume 1 of 1, 1880.
• Washington and His Country, by John Fiske, volume 1 of 2, Howe Memorial Press, 1888.
• Washington and His Country, by John Fiske, volume 2 of 2, Howe Memorial Press, 1888.

Religion

• Book of Psalms, S.P. Ruggles, artist, volume 1 of 1, 1835.
• Book of Psalms, S.P. Ruggles, artist, volume 1 of 1, 1837. 2 copies.
• Book of Psalms, S.P. Ruggles, artist, volume 1 of 1, 1842. 2 copies.
• Book of Psalms, volume 1 of 1, 1897.
• Constitution of Man, by George Combs, volume 1 of 1, 1857. Two copies.
• Hymn Book, volume 1 of 1, 1848. 2 copies.
• Hymn Book, volume 1 of 1, 1854.
• The New Testament, volume 1 of 3, 1836.
• The New Testament, volume 2 of 3, 1836.
• The New Testament, volume 3 of 3, 1836.
• Selections from the Works of Swedenborg, volume 1 of 1, 1874.

Text books

• Beginners Latin, by William A. Collar and M. Grant Danielle, volume 1 of 2, 1889.
• Beginners Latin, by William A. Collar and M. Grant Danielle, volume 1 of 2, 1894.
• Beginners Latin, by William A. Collar and M. Grant Danielle, volume 2 of 2, 1894.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 1, A to But, 1845. 3 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 2, Mah to Zwi. Biography volume 1. 1846. 3 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 3, Biography volume 2. Mah to Zwi. 1848. 3 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 6, Geography volume 1. A to Gr. 1846. 3 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 7, Geography volume 1. Gr to Mo. 1846. 2 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 8, Geography volume 3. 1848. 3 Copies.
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 9, Geography volume 4. 1848. 3 Copies
• Cyclopedia for the Blind, volume 10, 1863.
• Diagrams Illustrating a Compendium of Natural Philosophy, by S. G. Howe, 1836.
• Elementary Arithmatic, compiled by Mabel Townsend, volume 1 of 1, 1894.
• Geography, by A. H. Guyot, volume 1 of 1, 1868.
• German-English Vocabulary, by William Eysenbach, volume 1 of 1,1895.
• Handbook of Crochet, by Mrs. Cora D. Gleason, volume 1 of 1, 1906.
• Handbook of Knitting, by Mrs. Cora D. Gleason, volume 1 of 1, 1906.
• Latin-English Vocabulary, by Collar and Daniell, volume 1 of 1, 1894.
• Life and Her Children, or a Reader of Natural History, compiled by Della Bennett and Cora A. Newton, volume 1 of 1, 1884.
• Orations, by Marcus Tullius Cicero, volume 1 of 1, 1896

Existence and location of copies

Digitized reproductions of some of the Boston Line Type from this collection are available on Perkins Archives Flickr.