The title page of a book printed in Boston Line Type by Perkins School for the Blind
Date
1836
Credits
- Samuel Gridley Howe Designer
Format
- Book 880
Type of Work
- Finished work 5562
- Photo(s) 143
- Book 128
Publishers
Media
- paper 1703
Techniques
- embossing 15
Locations Made
- United States 899
- Boston 64
- Massachusetts 50
“Boston Line Type” or “Boston Line Letter” was a tactile printing system invented by Samuel Gridley Howe. These letterforms contained no capital letters and represented an angular version of Roman letters. This printing system served as a precursor to the now widespread use of Braille lettering, as a way to grant reading abilities to the visually impaired.

Image of a book's title page printed in Boston Line Type