More than 700 lots will come under the hammer at Whyte’s History, Literature and Collectibles sale in Dublin on September 24. There are historic artefacts, manuscripts, rare books, posters, militaria and sports memorabilia. Among the more unusual items is an Irish round tower made with matchsticks by Martin McGuinness, now Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, when he was a Republican prisoner at Portlaoise in 1974.
There are copies of The Hostage (300-400) and The Borstal Boy (1,200-1,500) signed and inscribed by Brendan Behan and more than 140 lots of Irish coins and banknotes.
The entire catalogue is on-line. Here is a sample of what is on offer:
A 1914 All Ireland football final Kerry v Wexford programme. The match was a draw, Kerry won the replay. The referee was Harry Boland, subsequently killed in the Irish Civil War. (1,000-1,500). Click to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,500
1794: John Rocque map of the Kingdom of Ireland (estimate 500-700). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE 800
An Irish round tower made by Martin McGuinness, now Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, while a prisoner in Portlaoise in 1974. On a wooden base inscribed "To Fr. Jimmy from Martin Portlaoise Jail 1974". Martin McGuinness spent time in Portlaoise Prison after he was convicted of being a member of the I.R.A. in February 1974 by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. It is estimated at 1,000-1,500. UPDATE: MARTIN MCGUINNESS IS NOW A CANDIDATE IN THE IRISH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 27. UPDATE 2: This made 6,200.