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Item #26009837 c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth
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c.1901 Childhood Artwork of Oscar Geiser (b.1884), Student at The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth

The Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth is still in operation today under the name Columbus Developmental Center, and still serves as a state-funded residential school for individuals with developmental disabilities or neurodivergence.

Ohio: 1895-1904. A small assemblage of original artwork by a child attending the Ohio Institution for Feeble Minded Youth in Columbus, Ohio, in 1895. The eleven-year-old child, Oscar Geiser (b.1884), appears to have sent the artwork home to his parents alongside a handwritten letter. Largest item measures approx. 8" in height. Includes the following items: the handwritten letter from Oscar; an form letter finished in ink manuscript from the school administration dated 1896 asking for a physician's report; seven (7) examples of geometric Kindergarten drawings in colored pencil on grid paper; one (1) paper weaving; one (1) example of sewing/embroidery on paper; and four (4) fine examples of pinprick art on thick card with hand coloring. All are housed in a thick card with a pencil message reading "With Oscar's best to Mamma and Papa- 1895". While Oscar's artwork and handwriting indicate a slightly delayed level of child development, it is interesting to note his neat and clear communication skills in his letter home: "Dear Father, I received your welcome letter three weeks ago. I was glad to here [sic] from your [sic], but I was not very glad to hear that my brother Orvie was sick ... I work at the pony [farm] every after-noon, and I go to sewing class in the morning. I will be glad to come home this April, for then I can work on the farm." Oscar appears to have gone on to a normal adult life doing just that (working on the family farm); he was was listed as a 26-year-old home farm laborer who could both read and write in the 1910 census. His father was born and Germany and could neither read nor write as of the 1910 census. Oscar had four younger siblings, and was still living at home with his mother in 1940 working as a farm laborer. Light toning, minor dust soiling, staining, the occasional nick or short tear.

Price: $950.00

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Item #26009837