Lot 546 is an Irish Flag from American Civil War period. The green flag was the basis of the unit colours of American Irish military organisations. This rare version is estimated at 1,000-1,500. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR 4,600
THE fascination of relatively recent Irish history underlines the success of the Independence series of auctions. These have been held jointly by James Adam in Dublin and Mealy’s of Castlecomer in April for the past six years. This year the sale is on April 19 at Adams in Dublin.
The top lot is a copy of the Proclamation (see antiquesandartireland.com post for April 13) estimated at 100,000-150,000. A small hand gun given by Countess Markievicz (a crack shot) to Seamus Babington of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade, I.R.A. is estimated at 800-1,400. (Note image attached to antiquesandartireland.com post for January 11, 2011).
Private letters from Michael Collins (who lost his life during the Civil War in 1922) range in estimate from 800 to 6,000. The 32 letters cover the period before the Easter Rising of 1916, his imprisonment and his development into a rebel leader. Terence MacSwiney’s Volunteer Diary from 1915 records his daily activities as a Volunteer organiser in Co. Cork. He was Lord Mayor of Cork when he died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison in 1920. It is estimated at 6,000-8,000.
There are 631 lots in total, including original photos and autograph books, pamphlets, medals, swords and flags. The sale will be held over two sessions at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on April 19.
UPDATE: The Collins letters brought in 202,000, the Proclamation failed to sell, Terence MacSwiney’s Volunteer Diary made 7,500. The sale brought in a hammer price of 655,000 and was 80 per cent sold.