A knife, fork and spoon, stitched to a silk shamrock and framed with a photograph of Michael Collins, form a curious lot at Mullen’s Collector’s Cabinet auction on March 11. This was the cutlery used by Collins at his last meal in the Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen on August 22, 1922, just hours before the ambush at Béal na mBláth later that day. It was later presented to Kitty Kiernan, who gave it to her sister Maud. Maud married Gearóid O’Sullivan, the Irish Volunteer who raised the flag over the GPO during the Easter Rising. It is estimated at €1,500-€2,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,500 AT HAMMER
First editions of His Dark Materials, the trilogy by Philip Pullman UPDATE: THIS MADE 600
Fonsie Mealy’s timed online rare book and collectors sale, which continues until March 1 at 10 am is brimful of interest. The first English edition of James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, one of only 750 copies published by The Egoist in 1916, leads the auction. It is estimated at €1,500-€2,000. The sale ranges from a complete set of 18th century Irish Georgian Society Records to signed album sleeves by Jimi Hendrix and Wings, a Brazil jersey signed by Pele, literature from Anthony Trollope to John McGahern to Seamus Heany to sporting and political memorabilia. The catalogue is online. Viewing takes place in Castlecomer on February 27-28.
Brilliant cut yellow diamond of 15.93 carats UPDATE: THIS MADE 260,000 AT HAMMER
THE collection of film director Sir John Boorman – whose many credits include Point Blank, Deliverance, Excalibur and Hope & Glory – will be included at Sheppards three day sale in Durrow on February 28, March 1 and 2. Sheppards say the diverse group of works on offer exhibit a lifetime emphasis on beauty and a keen eye for quality. Exceptional collectibles range from vernacular pine to period furniture and two and three dimensional works of art. The sale includes an assemblage of exceptional jewellery, diamonds and other stones from private collections including a 15 carat yellow diamond with an estimate of €250,000-€350,000. There are a number of brilliant cut diamonds of over three carats each and a variety of rings. An interesting collection of silver including a rare pair of Limerick serving spoons by Maurice Fitzgerald (€3,000-€5,000), a Cork silver sugar bowl by Daniel McCarthy (€1,500-€2,500) and a large, heavy silver soup ladle by the Cork maker Carden Terry (€2,500-€3,500). This section offers 73 lots in total.
An Irish William IV side table. UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,000 AT HAMMER
An important Irish William IV side table heads up more than 300 lots of furniture and is estimated at €10,000-€15,000. A large neo classical marble chimney piece is estimated at €8,000-€12,000 as is a George III breakfront library bookcase. There are plate buckets, centre tables, chests of drawers, butlers trays, chairs, couches, nests of tables, bookcases, desks including an unusual 19th century campaign brass bound desk and mirrors in various woods and lacquers on offer. A 19th century Killarney arbutus wood miniature cabinet depicts Ross Castle and Muckross Abbey on two panel doors which open to a series of drawers. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wristwatch is estimated at €30,000-€50,000. It heads up a selection of fine wristwatches at this sale.
A 17th century Dutch School portrait of a gentleman with a red hat UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,000 AT HAMMER
This oil on board of a group of musicians by Brendan McDonagh from Killoran’s Pub in Co. Sligo was prominent on the set of Normal People. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,000 AT HAMMER
A treat is in store for fans of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. A great selection of collectibles from Killoran’s Pub in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, used for the filming of the global hit TV series will feature at the pub and memorabilia sale by Victor Mee on February 28, March 1 and 2. Large paintings of traditional Irish musicians and an Irish country scene were seen in positions of prominence in episode 10. Many of the lots on offer feature inconspicuously in the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series. Killoran’s is steeped in historic memorabilia. Among the lots from the pub is a pair of boots worn by late GAA midfielder Eamonn Mongey in the 1951 All-Ireland final – the last time Mayo took home the Sam Maguire. There is a collection of rare advertising mirrors, an early 20th century Paddy Pure Pot Still mirror and an Ogden’s cigarette dispensing cabinet of similar vintage. With more than 1,300 lots the sale is on view at Cloverhill, Co. Cavan today, tomorrow and Monday and the catalogue is online.
A pair of satinwood and inlaid pier cabinets. UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD
This pair of 19th century satinwood and inlaid pier cabinets will come up at Sheppards three days sale of the collection of Sir John Boorman and other clients in Durrow on February 28, March 1 and 2. A series of shelves encloses a secret compartment in each one. The estimate on lot 1137 is 5,000-8,000.
In 2022, Boorman left the elegant Georgian rectory – The Glebe, Annamoe in Co. Wicklow – where he’d lived for more than fifty years. Now aged 90, he’s moved to England to be closer to the family. The auction is on view in Durrow from 10 am to 5 pm on February 25, 26 and 27.
Pen and ink portrait of Sir John Boorman by Anthony Palliser (2009). (300-500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 260 AT HAMMER
Wexford’s First All-Ireland Title G.A.A. – Hurling 1955. UPDATE: THIS MADE 85 AT HAMMER
The official programme for the 1955 All-Ireland Hurling Final comes up as lot 949 at Fonsie Mealy’s rare books and collectors online timed auction which runs until March 1. The final between Galway and Wexford took place at Croke Park on September 4 of that year. It was Wexford’s seventh attempt at the title and they won on a score of 3-13 to 2-8. The estimate is €100-150. The catalogue is online and the sale is open for viewing in Castlecomer today and on next Monday and Tuesday.
There is an interesting provenance to this 19th century High Gothic Revival hall mirror at Mullen’s timed classic and contemporary interiors auction which runs until February 26. Lot 192 at this auction of 894 lots last came up at the Shelton Abbey, Arklow sale in 1950. That auction on behalf of the Earl of Wicklow was conducted by Allen & Townsend, Dublin and Clark, Delahunt of Wicklow. The mirror, in the manner of Augustus Pugin, has arched gothic plates in a cluster column and a gilt foliate capped frame. Lot 192 is estimated at €1,500-€2,500.
This pine bar back with barley twist columns and tongue and groove backing comes up as lot 304 at Victor Mee’s three day Normal People pub memorabilia and collectibles sale. On offer are contents from Killoran’s Pub, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. The pub was used for the filming of the global TV hit and Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Normal People, based on the novel by Sally Rooney. A total of 1,378 lots will come under the hammer during three days of sales on February 28, March 1 and March 2. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce from the first English edition published by The Egoist in 1916 leads Fonsie Mealy’s online rare book and collectors sale. The first English edition, one of only 750 copies of Joyce’s first novel, is estimated at €1,500-2,000. The online timed sale opens today and runs until March 1. The catalogue is online and there will be viewing in Castlecomer on February 27 and 28. The selection on offer ranges from Brian Merriman to Edna O’Brien, Seamus Heaney to Liam O’Flaherty, Anthony Trollope to John McGahern.
There is an album and record sleeve signed by Jimi Hendrix, a complete set of Georgian Society records, a set of 18th century Georgian Society architectural records and a Brazil jersey signed by Pele among the 945 lots.
The Codex Sassoon is set to become the most valuable historical document or manuscript ever at auction when it is sold at Sotheby’s in May. This bridge from the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible of today is estimated to make $30-$50 million. It has been dated as the earliest, most complete definitive text of its kind. Dating to the late 9th early 10th century it is the most complete extant Hebrew Bible. It is named for its prominent modern owner David Solomon Sassoon (1880-1942) and comes to auction from the renowned collection of Jacqui Safra. The auction is to take place in New York in May alongside Sotheby’s marquee sales of Contemporary and Modern Art.
