A page from Tom Hales' autograph book. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 960 PLUS FEES.
Illustrated here are two examples from one of the more unusual lots at the sale at Limerick Auction Rooms next December 10. The autograph book belonging to Tom Hales is an unhappy remnant from modern Irish history.
The bitter Irish Civil war of 1922-23, accompanied by executions, internments and burnings, was waged by those pro and anti the treaty that established the Irish Free State. It separated nationalists who had earlier been united in their fight for freedom against the British and left Irish society divided. The Fianna Fail and Fine Gael political parties are direct descendants of opposing sides in the war.
Another page from the book. (Click to enlarge),
Tom Hales was a member of the Irregulars, or anti-treaty forces. He was interned at Harepark Camp at the Curragh in Co. Kildare. His autograph book, which relates to various dates in 1923, is signed with notes, poems and comments from fellow internees on 57 pages. It is estimated to make between 2,000 and 5,000.