Eoin MacNeill’s Easter 1916 manuscript countermanding order (30,000-50,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 30,000
The Proclamation of Independence of the Irish Republic
Printed in Dublin, 23rd April 1916 by Christopher Brady, Michael Molloy and Liam O’Brien for the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic (100.000-150,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 90,000
A copy of Eoin MacNeill’s manuscript order countermanding the Easter Rising of 1916 is one of the most valuable historic lots at Adam’s sale of 800 Years of Irish Political, Literary and Military History in Dublin on April 15. The single sheet of folded notepaper was despatched on the evening of Easter Saturday with the aim of forcing cancellation of plans for the Rising. It caused much confusion. As a result there was no rising in Cork or Limerick. In Dublin the IRB group led by Pearse, Connolly and Tom Clarke made the decision to delay by 24 hours and struck on Easter Monday when much of the British garrison went to the races at Fairyhouse. The rest is history. The order is estimated at 30,000-50,000.
The auction of nearly 500 lots offers memorabilia of Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera, Roger Casement, Robert Emmet and a huge cast of Irish historical figures. An original copy of the Proclamation is estimated at 100,000-150,000. There are historic photographs, artefacts and even the 18 carat gold medal won the Harold Segerson Mahony (1867-1905) at Wimbledon in 1896. The medal of the last Irishman to win Wimbledon is estimated at 15,000-20,000.
UPDATE: The sale realised just under 310,000. The Proclamation was the top lot.