The writing slope with famine connections. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,200
Poignant memories of the impact of the Great Famine on the poor of west Cork will come under the hammer at Whyte’s sale of History, Literature and Collectibles in Dublin on September 14. Lot 116 is a rosewood writing slope presented to James H. Swanton by three doctors practising in and around Skibereen in 1846-49. Swanton, a landowner at Rineen, provided many buildings for relief. Drs. Donovan, Somerville and Hadden were among the first to realise the scale of the disaster. Dr. Donovan in desperation wrote to The Times in London outlining the terrible famine conditions. There were about 20 ancillary workhouses in Skibereen including Swantons Store at Levis Quay. The writing slope is estimated at 3,000-4,000.