A poignant reminder of a long lost love affair is among the lots at Fonsie Mealy’s sale of rare books, literature, manuscripts, collectibles and ephemera at the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin on June 18. Lot 345 is a hatbox stamped K. Cronin/Lorha with fur hat, a pair of gloves, another hat and other items. Kitty Cronin, nee Kiernan, was the fiance of Michael Collins and after his death she married Felix Cronin, Tipperary. The hat is similar to one in contemporary press photos of Kitty and it is estimated at 300-400. Another reminder of turbulent times is a 1916 Irish Citizen Army tin home made explosive device.
A first edition of Ulysses signed by James Joyce is a highlight of the sale with an estimate of 70,000-90,000. A George III grandfather clock is from the home of James Joyce’s aunts at No. 15 Ushers Island, the house featured in The Dead by Joyce. It is estimated at 2,000-3,000. Among a small collection of documents from Sean O’Casey is one in which he complains about being evicted after 17 years. The landlord had decided he needed it for his mother and his daughter: “The joke is that we were no sooner gone than the notice For Sale went up.. and they wonder why the masses are turning to communism!” O’Casey wrote. Around 700 lots will come under the hammer and viewing at the Talbot Hotel gets underday on June 16.
