IN an era of fake news and false cures it is well to be reminded that perspectives change and judgement is fairest when not delivered with 20:20 hindsight. One lot at Mullen’s Collectors Cabinet sale in Laurel Park, Bray on October 31 pairs the Swastika decorated Nazi German flag with the Irish tricolour and recalls a day of straight arm salutes at Dalymount Park in Dublin in 1936. Hitler had been Chancellor for three years, Germany had already violated the Treaty of Versailles, a concentration camp had just opened near Berlin. But Auschwitz, Belsen and the attempted implementation of Final Solution were all in the future, German finances were strong, Berlin had hosted the Olympic Games. When Ireland defeated Germany by five goals to two at Dalymount Park the Nazi party was popular and there was little inkling of the darkness soon to descend on Europe and the world. The visitors were feted.
Mullens auction includes the collection of Christy Rooney from The Liberties, a lifelong Manchester United and Ireland supporter. Nearly 4,000 programmes will be offered in 64 lots with estimates from €60-€700. Among them is one of the most sought after Irish programmes, the Ireland v Germany match of 1936. Lot 471 is estimated at €600-€800. A 1986 facsimile of the Book of Kells is estimated at €5,000-€7,000. Lot 455 is the Broadcast Favourite gold medal awarded to Count John McCormack by the American Radio Exposition Company in 1925. This is estimated at €2,000-€3,000. There are 1916 Rising and Irish War of Independence medals, books including an 1849 post office directory and calendar, militaria including swords and percussion pistols, and a large selection of collectible items including film posters. There is an added poignancy to lot 448, the 1964 Goldfinger poster as Margaret Nolan, the actress whose gold painted body featured in the film, has just died of cancer aged 76 and Honor Blackman, who played Pussy Galore, died earlier this year.
UPDATE: THIS SALE HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
