A 90-year-old letter written by Michael Collins to rebel leader Thomas Ashe was sold at auction tonight for €260,000 - five times the estimate.
An anonymous Irish buyer fought a fierce bidding war with an unnamed institution to secure the unusual lot. The correspondence, from April 1917, has huge historical importance as it gives
an insight into Collins' view of political affairs at the time. It contains a few caustic comments on Eamon de Valera and Arthur Griffiths and is the first written indication of rivalry between the republican heroes.
They were sold at Whyte's auction house in Dublin. A spokeswoman said both bidders were determined to secure the lot, driving the price way between the estimate of €50,000.
"There was very intense bidding between the private bidder and an Irish institution, which also wishes to remain anonymous as they are very disappointed they lost out," she said.
The letter was sold by the Ashe family. It was accompanied by a portrait of Ashe, the famous 1916 Rising leader who later died on hunger strike, by the painter Leo Whelan. The painting sold for €40,000.