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    A 1922 LETTER OF APPEAL TO IRISH AMERICANS FROM MICHAEL COLLINS

    Tuesday, April 12th, 2016
    The Michael Collins letter to the editor of The Boston Globe.

    The Michael Collins letter to the editor of The Boston Globe.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A February 1922 letter from Michael Collins to the Editor of the Boston Globe appealing for support from Irish Americans comes up at the History sale at James Adam in Dublin on April 19. Written on the notepaper of the Provisional Government it mentions Collins’ relatives in Boston, and the liberality of friends of Ireland in Boston in supporting the Irish struggle for Independence with money. ‘Now that Freedom is on the eve of attainment I ask through the ‘Boston Globe’ on behalf of the Provisional Government, that they be equally liberal with their sympathy and patience, thus assisting us in restoring to the people of Ireland control of their own destinies” the letter goes on.  It is estimated at 12,000-15,000.   The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    ATRICK PEARSE Collection of booklets including An Macaomh, Poems, The Spiritual Nation, The Murder Machine, The Separist Idea (150-250)

    PATRICK PEARSE
    Collection of booklets including An Macaomh, Poems, The Spiritual Nation, The Murder Machine, The Separist Idea (150-250)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 80 AT HAMMER

    KEARNEY (PEADAR), THE SOLDIER'S SONG, FIRST EDITION WITH MUSIC Four printed pages, in two parts, 31 x 24cm approx.. Written in 1909-1910 by Peadar Kearney, music by Paddy Heaney and arrangement by Cathal MacDubhgall. Later to become "Amhrán na bhFiann" (1,500-2,000)

    KEARNEY (PEADAR), THE SOLDIER’S SONG, FIRST EDITION WITH MUSIC
    Four printed pages, in two parts, 31 x 24cm approx.. Written in 1909-1910 by Peadar Kearney, music by Paddy Heaney and arrangement by Cathal MacDubhgall. Later to become “Amhrán na bhFiann” (1,500-2,000)   UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,500 AT HAMMER

    A $10 REPUBLICAN BOND CERTIFICATE, ISSUED JANUARY 21ST 1920 BY DE VALERA, President of the Elected Government of the Republic of Ireland, to Lucille Gallagher, No. 149790 (200-400)

    A $10 REPUBLICAN BOND CERTIFICATE, ISSUED JANUARY 21ST 1920 BY DE VALERA, President of the Elected Government of the Republic of Ireland, to Lucille Gallagher, No. 149790 (200-400)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 350 AT HAMMER.

    ALL IRELAND GAA FOOTBALL MEDAL - LOUTH 1910 (2,000-3,000)

    ALL IRELAND GAA FOOTBALL MEDAL – LOUTH 1910 (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000 AT HAMMER

    A 1919-21 WAR OF INDEPENDENCE MEDAL, with Comrac Bar, black and tan ribbon and clasp bar (300-500)

    A 1919-21 WAR OF INDEPENDENCE MEDAL, with Comrac Bar, black and tan ribbon and clasp bar (300-500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 300 AT HAMMER

    IRISH WAR NEWS. THE IRISH REPUBLIC. VOL. 1 NO. 1 DUBLIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1916 (600-800)

    IRISH WAR NEWS. THE IRISH REPUBLIC. VOL. 1 NO. 1 DUBLIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1916 (600-800) UPDATE: THIS MADE 420 AT HAMMER

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    A BOTTLE OF VERY RARE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

    Sunday, April 10th, 2016
    The Irish pot still whiskey

    The Irish pot still whiskey  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 6,600 AT HAMMER

    A bottle of pot still 1916 whiskey from the long vanished Allman’s Distillery in Bandon, Co Cork comes up at the James Adam history sale in Dublin on  April 19.  Founded in 1826 Allman’s had a huge reputation.  It survived the famine and Fr. Matthew’s total abstinence campaign to become one of the most celebrated Irish whiskey producers. When the influential English journalist Alfred Barnard came to visit in 1886 he described it as the most successful rural distillery in Ireland. Barley was plentifully supplied by local farmers and the distillery had an internal village of around 200 employees including coopers, carpenters, coppersmiths and maltmen. The distillery imported specially sherry-seasoned casks from Cadiz. This is now common practice but Allman claimed to have been one of the first distillers in Ireland to do so.  The malting facility was second only to Guinness in Dublin. At a time when Irish whiskey was outselling Scotch by three cases to one Allman’s whiskey earned a popular following in Scotland and was a key brand there during the 1860’s.

    According to Adams this particular example, bottled by the Nun’s Island Distillery in Galway,  may be the oldest unopened expression of Irish single pot still whiskey. The style called “Irish pot still” or “single pot still” whiskey is a uniquely Hibernian variety. It is defined by the grain ingredients, a mixture of malt with a fine grist of “green” unmalted barley for texture and spice.   Whiskey made in a pot still without the green barley is not, by this definition, “Irish pot still whiskey”. Originally introduced as a means of dodging the Malt Tax, the use of raw barley has been a feature of Irish whiskey since the 18th century, became ingrained in the taste and was retained even after the tax was repealed in 1880. Barnard describes how the distillery separated its barley into raw gristing and malting facilities and ran them through two distinct runs in order to make “both Old Pot Still Whisky, designated Irish, and Pure Malt Whisky, both of a superior quality”.

    War, prohibition and competition from cheaper and more rapidly produced blended whiskeys meant Allman closed in 1925.  Trading as “Allman, Dowden and Co.”, its agents continued selling off stocks until 1939. In Bandon the Old Still Bar (converted from the distillery offices) proudly retained a bottle until 1971.  Most of the contents boiled away in a tragic fire that struck the pub that year.  This bottle is estimated at 6,000-10,000.

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    DEMAND FOR PICASSO CERAMICS GROWS

    Wednesday, April 6th, 2016
    Pablo Picasso - Tripode and Gros Oiseau.

    Pablo Picasso – Tripode and Gros Oiseau.

    Demand for Picasso ceramics continues apace.  At Sotheby’s in London buyers drove the total for ‘Important Picasso Ceramics’ to almost double pre-sale expectations. The auction raised £2,201,250 with 98% of the lots sold and around a third of buyers new to Sotheby’s. The total had been estimated at £1.14-1.65 million. The top lot was Tripode, a large terre de faïence vase (1951, numbered 47/75), which sold to a private collector for £191,000.  Gros oiseau Picasso, a large terre de faïence vase (1953, numbered 35/75), made £106,250.

    Lucy Rosenburgh, Sotheby’s Picasso ceramics specialist, commented afterwards: “These results demonstrate the enormous appeal of Picasso’s ceramics. Collectors can envisage easily fitting these pieces in their homes and living with them – something Picasso would have delighted in when he decided to produce his editions. Over the past five years, London has proved to be the focal point of this market. This growth has coincided with a renewed academic interest in this extraordinarily innovative body of work, created by Picasso with the same passion as his paintings, sculptures and prints.”

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 25, 2016)

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    A SILVER DISH RING GIVEN TO TERENCE MACSWINEY AS A WEDDING PRESENT

    Monday, April 4th, 2016
    The silver dish ring by Egans of Cork given to Terence MacSwiney as a wedding present in 1917.

    The silver dish ring by Egans of Cork given to Terence MacSwiney as a wedding present in 1917. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200 AT HAMMER

    An inscribed silver dish ring given as a wedding present to Terence MacSwiney – the Republican Lord Mayor of Cork who died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison in 1920 – comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s Centenary Sale at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin on April 23.  The pierced dish ring was a gift from the girls of St. Ita’s, the independent school in Cork founded by his sisters Maire and Aine MacSwiney after Maire was dismissed from her teaching post following her arrest during the Easter Rising.

    Terence MacSwiney was a founder member of the Irish Volunteers in Cork.  Though the planned Rising in Cork did not take place he and other Volunteers were arrested and detained in England and Wales.  In June 1917 he married Muriel (Muirgheal) Murphy of the Cork brewing family.  They had one daughter.  In 1920 after the assassination of  Lord Mayor Tomas Mac Curtain, Terence MacSwiney became Lord Mayor of Cork.  On August 12 he was arrested at Cork City Hall and sentenced to two years imprisonment for possession of a military cipher. He died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison 74 days later. His funeral was enormous. His death was a turning point in public support for the Republican struggle.
    The dish ring by Egans of Cork, with Dublin hallmarks for 1916, is inscribed: “M  .. / Agus / T. Mac S. / La a bposta / 9 / 6 / 17”.  The lower rim is inscribed “O Chailinibh Sgoil Ite Naomhta” (from the girls of St. Ita’s).  It is estimated at 2,000-3,000.  In 1916 Easter Sunday fell on April 23.
    UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,200 IN A SALE WHICH MADE JUST UNDER 500,000

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    THE YEAR OF THE FRENCH RECALLED AT JAMES ADAM

    Sunday, April 3rd, 2016
    The Battle of Collooney on September 5, 1798 – in which the French under General Humbert and the United Irishmen were defeated by the Limerick City Militia under the command of Colonel Charles Vereker  – is recalled in two significant lots at the James Adam history sale in Dublin on April 19.
    In August 1798, sometimes remembered as The Year of the French, General Joseph Humbert led an invasion of Ireland where he joined forces with Irish rebels in an attempt to overthrow the British.  With an army of about 3,000 the French and the United Irishmen defeated the British at Castlebar. As they advanced on Sligo their front line was turned by the 300 strong Limerick City Militia. With his advance to Colloney and by various ruses Vereker tricked Humbert into thinking he was the vanguard of a superior force.
    Though criticised for being foolhardy and leaving Sligo defenceless Vereker and the militia were held in high esteem for what was seen as a great victory of the French.  The Battle of Collooney extinguished a serious threat felt by the British in Ireland.  Their bravery was rewarded by gold and silver medals inscribed “To the Heroes of Colooney 5th sept 1798”.  Vereker later opposed the Union saying:  “I have defended my country with my blood and there is nothing in the gift of the Crown that would tempt me to betray her by my vote”.  He inherited the title 2nd Viscount Gort. The family later built Lough Cutra Castle to the designs of John Nash.

    Adams sale will include two items listed as the property of the 9th Viscount Gort.  The Collooney Presentation Cup made by James Scott in Dublin in 1802, inscribed to the heroes of Colloony with the arms of the City of Limerick is estimated at 20,000-25,000.  A sabre, the sword of honour presented to Vereker in gratitude by the city of Limerick with the makers mark of Richard Teed is estimated at 30,000-40,000.   UPDATE: THE CUP MADE 20,000 AT AHMMER, THE SABRE 29,000.

    The Collooney Presentation Cup (20,000-25,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Cup   UPDATE: THIS MADE 20,000 AT HAMMER (20,000-25,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Sabre (30,000-40,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Sabre (30,000-40,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 29,000 AT HAMMER

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    A DISTINGUISHED ULSTER COLLECTION AT JAMES ADAM

    Friday, April 1st, 2016

    Antique European furniture, art, clocks, books, Oriental rugs, porcelain, glass, decorative items and collectibles will come under the hammer at the James Adam sale entitled A Distinguished Ulster Collection in Dublin on April 6. The catalogue, which is on line, lists 449 lots. Here is a small selection:

    A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI WHITE OVOID MARBLE AND ORMOLU FOUR-LIGHT CANDELABRA (10,000-15,000)

    A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI WHITE OVOID MARBLE AND ORMOLU FOUR-LIGHT CANDELABRA (10,000-15,000)  UPDATE: THIS LOT WAS UNSOLD

    A MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY NEO-CLASSICAL SMALL COMMODE, Milan, Late 18th Century (2,500-4,500)

    A MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY NEO-CLASSICAL SMALL COMMODE, Milan, Late 18th Century (2,500-4,500)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A SEVRES POT AND COVER, with marks for 1778, with gilt metal mounts (500-800)

    A SEVRES POT AND COVER, with marks for 1778, with gilt metal mounts (500-800)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 200 AT HAMMER

    JAMES ARTHUR O'CONNOR A Wooded Landscape with Figures with figures on a Path, a Lake Behind (12,000-14,000)

    JAMES ARTHUR O’CONNOR
    A Wooded Landscape with Figures with figures on a Path, a Lake Behind (12,000-14,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 16,000 AT HAMMER

    A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD VENEERED BUREAU EN PENTE (2,000-3,000)

    A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD VENEERED BUREAU EN PENTE (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A SMALL GILTWOOD ROCOCO MIRROR, 18TH CENTURY, ITALIAN (250-400)

    A SMALL GILTWOOD ROCOCO MIRROR, 18TH CENTURY, ITALIAN (250-400)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 680 AT HAMMER

    AN IRISH GEORGE III SPHERICAL GILT METAL LANTERN (2,000-3,000)

    AN IRISH GEORGE III SPHERICAL GILT METAL LANTERN (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,600 AT HAMMER

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    MATTHEWS AUCTION AT HEADFORT HOUSE IN KELLS

    Thursday, March 31st, 2016

    The annual Headfort House antique and fine art sale by Matthews of Oldcastle takes place on Sunday April 3 at 1.30 p.m.  Many lots are estimated at under 500. Headfort House is in Kells, Co. Meath. The catalogue, which lists 843 lots, is online. Here is a small selection:

    William IV library table (1,000-1,500)

    William IV library table (1,000-1,500)

    Rouge marble fire surround (1,000-1,500)

    Rouge marble fire surround (1,000-1,500)

    Pair of Irish Georgian mirrors and sconces (1,000-1,500).

    Pair of Irish Georgian mirrors and sconces (1,000-1,500).

     

    Edwardian Coalbrookdale garden seat (500-800)

    Edwardian Coalbrookdale garden seat (500-800)

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    VACHERON CONSTANTIN LES MASQUES COLLECTION AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, March 28th, 2016
    Set of Twelve Automatic Wristwatches with Day, Date and Engraved Miniature Mask Dial, Métiers d’Art – Les Masques made in 2007 – 2009 (US$1-1.55 million).

    Set of Twelve Automatic Wristwatches with Day, Date and Engraved Miniature Mask Dial, Métiers d’Art – Les Masques made in 2007 – 2009 (US$1-1.55 million).

    A complete set of 12 Vacheron Constantin wristwatches from the ‘Métiers d’Art – Les Masques’ Collection  comes up at Sotheby’s sale of important watches in Hong Kong on April 6.  Making its debut on auction floor each features an engraved tribal mask from the Barbier Muller Museum in Geneva.  The sale will offer more than 340 lots with a total estimate of US$8.2-12 million.

    Sharon Chan, Head of Watches, Sotheby’s Asia, said: “To stay on top of the competitive global watch market Sotheby’s international team of watch specialists have put together a meticulous selection of timepieces for the Important Watches Hong Kong Sale in April, including vintage Patek Philippe and Rolex watches, spectacular enamelled pieces as well as innovative creations by independent watchmakers.  Spanning vintage, modern and contemporary timepieces, the selection offered this season is attractively estimated, including extremely rare pieces appearing in auction for the very first time.”

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    THE 1844 ORDNANCE SURVEY OF IRELAND AT HEGARTY’S

    Sunday, March 27th, 2016
    A set of bound volumes (13 in all) of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, 1844 comes up at Hegarty’s sale in Bandon April 3. The survey just predates the famine and is from the collection of the late Margaret Ridgeway, founder of Kilcolman National Nature Reserve in Doneraile, Co. Cork.  Some of these items, including the Ordnance Survey which is stamped Lord Doneraile, were previously in the collection at Doneraile Court. Also included is a set of maps of Cork and Waterford by a Captain Larcombe, which were commissioned by Lord Doneraile in 1845 and used by him on hunting trips.
    Another lot of historical interest is the belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavaly from the Westropp collection. The plate closely resembles that worn by the Royal Cork Volunteers and has been featured in the Cork Historical Journal.

    Antique furniture includes a Regency rosewood Cork fold over card table (2,000-4,000), an Irish early 19th century partners desk (3,000-4,000), a George II Irish gilt wood mirror (2,000-3,500), a four door library bookcase (2,000-5,000) and an oval George III fold over tea table (3,000-5,000).t of the sale at 3 pm on Sunday week.

    Six bound volumes of the 1844 Ordnance Survey of Ireland

    Bound volumes of the 1844 Ordnance Survey of Ireland.  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 8,200

    A Regency rosewood Cork fold over card table

    A Regency rosewood fold over card table. UPDATE: SOLD FOR  2,200

    The belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavalry

    The belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavalry.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD AND UNDER ACTIVE NEGOTIATION AFTER THE AUCTION

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    RARE IRISH £50 NOTE FROM 1928 AT DIX NOONAN WEBB

    Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
    The Irish 1928 £50 note.

    The Irish 1928 £50 note.

    A rare Irish 1928 £50 note – one of only about 20 examples available to collectors – comes up at Dix Noonan Webb in London on April 11.  Estimated at £14,000-18,000  it highlights a strong selection of 100 Irish banknotes.  After the 1922 establishment of the Irish Free State a currency commission was set up to advise the government of a monetary system.    The first series of notes – with denominations from ten shillings to £100 – was issued on September 10, 1928. Only 10,000 of the £50 notes were issued and it is the most difficult to find. Around 20 of them are thought to have survived outside public collections.  The print run for the first £100 note was lower, but many more of them are known to have survived.

    Lady Hazel Lavery, wife of the artist Sir John Lavery, appears on all the notes. The new currency was linked to sterling.  Other rarities include a Royal Bank of Ireland £10 note from 1929 (£4,000-5,000), and two Central Bank of Ireland £1 notes from 1943.  During the Second World War Irish notes were printed in England and sent to Ireland. They were stamped with code letters so that they were easy to remonetize if the ship was attacked or the cash captured.

    A pair of war coded 1943 £1 notes.

    A pair of war coded 1943 £1 notes.

    A Royal Bank of Ireland £10 note

    A Royal Bank of Ireland £10 note from 1929.

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