Michael Collins’s letters – including one from a GAA official in London – are the highlight of of an “Independence” sale
A 1940S election poster with the slogan: "Workers! – Fianna Fáil is on your side – always was and always will be" and a Royal Irish Constabulary hand-painted wood baton are among the quirkier items in next Tuesday's big Independencesale in Dublin.
The annual event, organised jointly by fine art auctioneers Adam’s and Mealy’s, is offering over 600 “rare and unique items of historical importance” relating to all periods of Ireland’s struggle for Independence.
A copy of that hardy annual, the 1916 Proclamation, has the highest estimate at €100,000–€150,000, and is one of 50 copies believed to have survived. Items relating to Constance Markiewicz, described in the catalogue as “The Hotshot Republican Countess”, include a handgun (€800-€1,400) she was given by the Tipperary IRA and a target-card with two scored bulls-eyes (€400-€600), proving that she was, indeed, rather a good shot.
But the indisputable highlight are 29 letters written by Michael Collins to his elder sister Johanna (Hannie), who lived in London.
They provide fascinating insights into the Big Fella’s personality and political attitudes and will be auctioned individually with estimates ranging from €800 to €7,000.
Among items of correspondence sent to Collins is a letter from a GAA official in London famously sent in a brown envelope marked “On His Majesty’s Service” (€800-€1,200). Minute books from the Geraldines GAA Club in London – handwritten by Collins when he was club secretary – are expected to fetch up to €20,000. They were, until recently, on loan to the GAA Museum at Croke Park.
The auction has many intriguing lesser items. As the ongoing fiscal crisis fuels demands to burn the bondholders, it is sobering to realise that bonds were also considered sacrosanct by the State’s founders.
An original $10 Bond Certificate, issued on January 21st, 1920, along with the American colour-printed advertising leaflet, “Subscribe to the First Loan of the Republic of Ireland”, has an estimate of €500-€700.
A letter on Dáil notepaper, from Dan Breen TD, dated 1944, reveals that the Tipperary Fianna Fáil deputy, and former leading figure in the War of Independence, claimed to be penniless – despite having a TD’s salary.
He wrote to a friend requesting a loan of £250 pounds and said: “The main reason for all my troubles is I am on the black list of both the U.S. and British gove’s. and my money is tied up for 3 years. They even stopped my overdraft in the Bank and I was without a penny for several days, I had to sell my home in Sutton to clear my overdraft . . .”.
The letter has an estimate of €300-€400.
A copy of a special edition of Bunreacht na hEireann, the Constitution of Ireland, printed, bound in green morocco and distributed in 1937 to members of the Cabinet and some members of the diplomatic corps is estimated at €3,000-€5,000.
The copy being auctioned belonged to Sean Lemass, then Minister for Industry and later Taoiseach. It is signed by by Lemass, Taoiseach Éamon De Valera and other cabinet members including Seán T Ó’Ceallaigh, Frank Aiken and Sean MacEntee.
The IndependenceSale, Adam's and Mealy's, Tuesday April 19th at 11am, 26 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Viewing begins at 2pm today.
