Mary Halls "Minnie" Crabb (1885-1974) was the niece of the first librarian (May Harrison) for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. After her aunt's death in 1912, Miss Crabb took on the role of librarian for the constantly expanding collection. In 1934, the Victorian Association of Braille Writers annual report advised that it had acquired a Crabb-Hulme Braille Printing Press. Two years in development, the Press was designed by Miss Crabb and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, it provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers. The daughter of James Hall Crabb, who ran the Prahran Telegraph from1882 until his death and the niece of J.M. Yelland who took over the paper until he sold it in 1895, Minnie would have seen printing presses in her youth and recognised the usefulness when producing large numbers of ephemeral materials. In March 1944, Miss Crabb retired from the library, in 1956 she married Charles Foster and she lived until in the St Kilda area until her passing in 1974, aged 89. This iconic image of Miss Crabb using the press has appeared in many reports since.High quality image of Minnie Crabbvictorian association of braille writers, minnie crabb

In 1934, the Victorian Association of Braille Writers annual report advised that it had acquired a Crabb-Hulme Braille Printing Press. Two years in development, the Press was designed by Miss Minnie Crabb (the librarian) and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, and provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers.Steel and cast iron printing press with two wheels on left hand side and two foot levers to operate a wheel on the right hand side.victorian association of braille writers, braille equipment, minnie crabb

Founded by T.R Armitage MD in 1868, the British and Foreign Blind Association was the forerunner of the Royal National Institute for the Blind and provided transcription courses to those wishing to become proficient in Braille. Under the patronage of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, this certificate was awarded to "Miss Minnie H Crabb having satisfied the Examiner of the British & Foreign Blind Association in Braille Writing Examination in Grade II is hereby awarded the Certificate of the Association." Signed by A.H. Henry, Examiner and Edwin Easton, Secretary and awarded on 25th September 1908. Cream page with red seal in bottom left hand cornerRed seal reads: The British & Foreign Blind Association. Founded 1858. Incorporated 1902. A picture is located within the seal but this is not discerniblevictorian association of braille writers, minnie crabb

Sephia-toned photograph of May D. Harrison from the shoulders upwards. Nameplate at base of photograph reads 'May D. Harrison / First / Hon. Secretary & Librarian / 1894-1912'. Mrs Harrison looks to the right of the frame, and is wearing a dress with gathered bodice, puffed sleeves and lace neckline. Her small drop earrings are visible, as her hair is swept up, with two brooches on the bodice and neckline. A length of chain is worn around her neck, although its base remains out of shot. May Harrison was one of the first Braille transcribers trained by Tilly Aston and undertook the position of Honorary Secretary at the formation of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers (VABW) in 1894. Offering use of a room in her home in St Kilda for the storage of Braille books, she became the first librarian for the VABW. Mrs Harrison also taught Braille to other participants and her house became a meeting point for readers and transcribers alike. Her death in 1912 was greatly mourned, and a Memorial Fund set up in her honour, as well as a grave marker and tablet at the Braille library. Her niece Minnie Crabb, who assisted her work, assumed the role of librarian after Mrs Harrison's death. Inscribed in the lower right 'J O'S & Co, Melbourne'.Photograph in frame of woman in 19th century dressvictorian association of braille writers, may harrison

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. Sometimes the board was labelled with organisational labels. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers was attached, which included the costs of being a transcribing member and the length of the loan period. It is signed by Millicent Ritchie (Hon. Secretary) and Minnie H Crabb (Asst Sec and Librarian) at the base of the sheet.Brown rectangular wooden board with hinged paper clamp and metal hinged guideFree Lending Library for the Blind label is attached to boardbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers