A typed Order of Surrender from the 1916 Rising signed by Patrick Pearse comes up at Bonhams in London on June 14. One of the most significant documents in Irish 20th century history it ended the abortive attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish State. After six days of bitter fighting Pearse offered the surrender to prevent further bloodshed.
Ronan McGreevy editor of Centenary – Ireland Remembers 1916 to be published this autumn explained the significance of the order: “The terse document expresses Pearse’s belief that he would certainly be executed, but that all the others would be spared. Instead the British executed 15 leaders, including Pearse, and imprisoned thousands. This brutal military fiat turned Irish public opinion against British rule in Ireland exactly as the rebels had hoped”.
A small number of copies were made, signed by Pearse and distributed to rebel positions in Dublin and the outlying countryside by Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell, who had acted as go between during the surrender negotiations, and members of the Capuchin community. It is not known exactly how many typed copies were produced, but it is thought to be in single figures. Two surviving copies are held by the National Library of Ireland. Another, signed by Pearse and countersigned by James Connolly, is held at the Imperial War Museum, London. In addition, there are known to be three hand written drafts. It is estimated at £80,000-100,000.