In this book, Dr. Lane explored the life of deaf portraitist John Brewster Jr. (1766-1854), whose portraits of the New England mercantile elite are famed for their unique style and their depiction of the role of class and wealth in 18th- and 19th-century America. Dr. Lane’s book examines how Brewster interacted with both hearing and deaf societies at the time.

This series consists mostly of Dr. Lane’s correspondence about the book, some notes and genealogical material on Brewster and his subjects, and outlines for the book.