Complete run of the first twenty-five printed annual reports of the Columbia Insitution for the Deaf and Dumb, with a number of illustrative engravings.

The twenty-five reports bound together in a brown leather half-binding, with marbled boards, and title and shelfmark in gilt on spine, with a total of 654pp., 8vo., and ranging in length from 9pp. (the first) to 150pp. (the eleventh). Also present are sixteen plates (engraved views, floor and ground plans, two pages illustrating 'The Mechanism of Speech', five photographic views), including two fold-outs. In good condition, on aged paper, in worn binding, with shelfmarks and stamps of the Science & Art Department Educational Library and Education Department Library. In addition to reporting the Institution's business, the volumes include papers with titles including: 'Dr. Peet's Paper on Language Lessons', 'Mr. Brock's Paper on First Lessons', 'Mr. Gillett's Paper on Discipline', 'President Gallaudet's Paper on the American System', 'Discussion on Articulation', 'Mr. Peet's Paper on Initial Signs', 'Prof. Pratt's Paper on the College for Deaf-Mutes', 'Miss Trask's Paper on Female Teachers'. Individual reports are uncommon enough, and a run of the first twenty-five excessively scarce. The Institution is now Gallaudet University. Several American Presidents have been patrons, and it has had fourteen presidential visits from Ulysses S. Grant in 1870 to Bill Clinton in 1994.