Sign Language Collection

Illustration showing 26 sign language hand signals representing letters of the alphabet

Sign language using a single hand, 1800s
Single-handed alphabet in sign language, used in the US, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Lincoln Triumphant, The Great Statue in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D. C. c1930s
Lincoln Triumphant, The Great Statue in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. c1930s. Statue of the16th President of the United States

NATIVE AMERICANS: SIGN LANGUAGE. The Shoshone chief Tendoy using signs to communicate with Huerito, an Apache chief, at Washington, D.C

Charles-Michel de l'Epee, 1850
3478635 Charles-Michel de l'Epee, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of Charles-Michel de l'Epee (1712-1789) a philanthropic educator, teaching a deaf child sign language

Vibes
Frankie Kerr-Dineen

Reminder
Gabriella Roberg

Peace & Love
Aislinn Simmonds

The Art of Talking with the Fingers, pub. C. 1825 (coloured engraving)
5902925 The Art of Talking with the Fingers, pub. C. 1825 (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Signal of discovery or alarm (engraving)
980554 Signal of discovery or alarm (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Signal of discovery or alarm)

Gestures for miming from John Bulwers Chrilogia Naturall Language of Hand
XJF197469 Gestures for miming from John Bulwers Chrilogia Naturall Language of Hand, 1644 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

George visits Moxeys Menagerie (engraving)
2792846 George visits Moxeys Menagerie (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: George visits Moxeys Menagerie. Illustration for Chatterbox (1898)

Entertainment to the Deaf and Dumb at the Freemasons Tavern (engraving)
1611591 Entertainment to the Deaf and Dumb at the Freemasons Tavern (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

A signal of peace (engraving)
980551 A signal of peace (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A signal of peace. Engraving by Hoffman)

Deaf and dumb alphabet (b / w photo)
2775159 Deaf and dumb alphabet (b/w photo) by Scottish Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Deaf and dumb alphabet)

Lewis & Clark on the Lower Columbia River, 1905 (oil on canvas)
PNP260128 Lewis & Clark on the Lower Columbia River, 1905 (oil on canvas) by Russell, Charles Marion (1865-1926); Private Collection; (add.info)

Fol. 251v Finger counting from 1 to 20000, from De numeris
XIR216475 Fol.251v Finger counting from 1 to 20000, from De numeris. Codex Alcobacense by Rabanus Maurus (780-856) (vellum) by Carolingian School (9th century); Instituto da Biblioteca Nacional

Neopolitans gesturing to a Deaf Mute Person; Gesti Mutoloparlanti Napolitani
823402 Neopolitans gesturing to a Deaf Mute Person; Gesti Mutoloparlanti Napolitani, 1815 (pencil and watercolour on paper) by Gatta

Fol. 252r Finger counting from 1 to 20000, from De numeris
XIR208714 Fol.252r Finger counting from 1 to 20000, from De numeris. Codex Alcobacense by Rabanus Maurus (780-856) (vellum) by Carolingian School (9th century); Instituto da Biblioteca Nacional

The Benefactors of Mankind, plate depicting Great Inventions
CHT163156 The Benefactors of Mankind, plate depicting Great Inventions, 2nd half of 19th century (colour engraving) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Saying Happy New Year in sign language two of the cast of the Darlington Civic Theatre panto Cinderella, Nikki Ellen (left) and Jimmy Cricket with Cathy Smith

Royal Navy Ships Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious August 1959. A member of the Launch Flight Deck Crew standing over the steam catapult calls in an aircraft to line up for take off

Conversation between Mutes (Gespraech zwischen Stummen), 1907. Creator: Moritz Jung
Conversation between Mutes (Gespraech zwischen Stummen), 1907

Conversing by Signs, 1837 (w / c on paper)
WLT211675 Conversing by Signs, 1837 (w/c on paper) by Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-74); 23.5x29.7 cm; Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA; American, out of copyright

Jules Cheret Imprimerie Jules Cheret Concert-promenade de L Horloge
Jules Cheret, Imprimerie Jules Cheret, Concert-promenade de L Horloge, paper, lithography, total: height: 57, 7 cm; width: 41 cm, signed: u. r

Princess Diana at the Nottingham and Notts Society for the Deaf in Forest Road, during their Centenary Celebrations. 17th May 1990

Sign language hand positions for all letters of the alphabet, front view

Author James Willard Schultz
Glacier National Park, Montana: September 17, 1926 Author James Willard Schultz talks with Chief Bear Hat of the Kootenai Tribe on the Glacier National Park Reservation

Illustration of sign language using fingers and thumbs to sign I love you

Digital illustration of hand sign language representing shooting a handgun

The Shoshone chief Tendoy using signs to communicate with Huerito, an Apache chief, at Washington, D. C
NATIVE AMERICANS: SIGN LANGUAGE. The Shoshone chief Tendoy using signs to communicate with Huerito, an Apache chief, at Washington, D.C

BUSN2A-00096
Fur traders and Native Americans conversing in pantomine. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"Unlocking the Silent Language: A Journey through Sign Language" Step into the world of sign language, where hands become a canvas for communication. 🤟 In this captivating illustration, witness the power of 26 hand signals representing each letter of the alphabet. From A to Z, these gestures form a bridge between spoken and visual languages. Travel back in time to the 1800s, when sign language was predominantly conveyed using a single hand. Discover how individuals skillfully expressed their thoughts and emotions through intricate movements that transcended words. Immerse yourself in history at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D. C. , where "Lincoln Triumphant, " a great statue honoring one of America's most revered presidents, stands tall. Imagine the conversations held here in sign language as people paid tribute to his legacy. Witness an extraordinary moment captured by wood engravings from Garrick Mallery's book on Native American sign language. Chief Tendoy of the Shoshone tribe engages with Apache chief Huerito using signs during their meeting in Washington D. C. In this exchange, Tendoy shares his imminent departure to Idaho, describing its snowy landscape with precise gestures. Sign language is not limited to practicality; it also embodies profound concepts like peace and love. Feel inspired by these universal symbols that transcend cultural boundaries and remind us all of our shared humanity. Delve into historical texts such as "The Art of Talking with Fingers, " published around 1825. This colored engraving showcases early efforts towards documenting and understanding sign language as an art form unto itself. Explore various contexts where sign language played pivotal roles - from signaling discovery or alarm to providing entertainment for deaf communities at venues like Moxeys Menagerie or Freemasons Tavern. Finally, witness how even amidst conflicts or negotiations between tribes or nations, sign language served as a powerful signal for peace – fostering understanding beyond spoken words alone.